Esri
Esri is a privately held American GIS software company that develops the ArcGIS enterprise geospatial platform, serving hundreds of thousands of organizations including 70% of Fortune 500 companies, 95% of national governments, and 80% of the world's largest cities.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1969
- HeadquartersMadrid, Spain
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Esri does
Esri (Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc.) is a privately held American geographic information system (GIS) software company founded in 1969 by Jack and Laura Dangermond and headquartered in Redlands, California. The company develops and sells the ArcGIS platform, an enterprise geospatial technology that integrates mapping, spatial analysis, real-time data processing, IoT, and machine learning capabilities across desktop, cloud, and mobile environments. ArcGIS is the leading global geospatial platform, used by an estimated 70% of Fortune 500 companies, 95% of national governments, and 80% of the world's largest cities, serving hundreds of thousands of organizations across government, utilities, transportation, retail, insurance, banking, and natural-resources sectors.
The platform is modular, with industry-specific solutions for aviation, maritime, utilities, transportation, and tourism, complemented by the Living Atlas of the World (the largest collection of ready-to-use geographic content), an open API/SDK layer for custom development, and emerging digital-twin and GeoAI capabilities. Revenue is generated through a hybrid model combining software licensing (perpetual and subscription), annual maintenance contracts, professional services, and managed cloud services via ArcGIS Online, with the company investing roughly one-third of revenue in R&D. Distribution occurs through direct enterprise field sales, a global network of regional distributors (including Esri España for the Spanish market), system integrators such as IDOM, and developer self-service channels.
The customer base is anchored by large enterprises and government agencies with high switching costs driven by deep workflow integration, staff certification, and an extensive partner ecosystem. The company's competitive position is reinforced by ISO/IEC 27001:2022 and Spanish ENS certifications, an established partner network (ZIGURAT, IDOM, Facebook, Johns Hopkins University, Microsoft), and ongoing investment in emerging capabilities including GeoAI, digital-twin technology, and real-time IoT analytics.
Esri firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Esri
- Legal name
- Esri
- Website
- https://esri.es
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1969
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Esri is a privately held American GIS software company that develops the ArcGIS enterprise geospatial platform, serving hundreds of thousands of organizations including 70% of Fortune 500 companies, 95% of national governments, and 80% of the world's largest cities.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Esri industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Software
- NAICS
- Software Publishers (5132), Computer Systems Design Services (541512), Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (518210)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373), Services-Computer Programming Services (7371), Services-Computer Processing & Data Preparation (7374)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Enterprise Service Management (ESM) Platforms (HDAEALAB)
Keywords
Where Esri is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Madrid
- HQ country
- Spain
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Esri business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Software Licenses: ArcGIS software licenses sold as either perpetual (one-time purchase) or subscription plans. Both types include 12 months of free maintenance initially, with optional annual renewal for continued support, updates, and access to new features.
- Software Subscriptions: Subscription-based licensing model providing ongoing access to ArcGIS platform with regular updates, cloud services, and technical support.
- Professional Services: Consulting and implementation services including technology consulting, app customization, advanced technical support, deployment services (cloud and on-premises), and packaged Jumpstart services.
- Managed Cloud Services (EMCS): Cloud hosting and management services where Esri experts design, deploy, maintain, monitor, and administer the customer's ArcGIS cloud environment.
- Enterprise Advantage Program (AP): Strategic advantage program providing ongoing collaboration, technical advisory, product training, and consulting services aligned with organizational objectives.
- Maintenance and Support: Annual maintenance renewal providing software updates, hot fixes, patches, technical support, e-Learning access, Esri Community Network, and ArcGIS Online subscription benefits.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Subscription Licenses |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Perpetual Licenses |
| Subscription | Annual | Maintenance Program |
Go-to-market motion4 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels13 records
Esri product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Esri fundamentally develops and sells ArcGIS, an enterprise geospatial platform that integrates and connects data through geographic components. The offering includes desktop (ArcGIS Pro), cloud SaaS (ArcGIS Online), and on-premises (ArcGIS Enterprise) deployment options, extended through specialized field, analytics, real-time, and industry-specific apps. Complementing the software, Esri sells ArcGIS Living Atlas geographic content, professional consulting services, managed cloud hosting (EMCS), and the Enterprise Advantage Program to organizations worldwide.
Product overview
Esri's product portfolio is a modular platform architecture centered on ArcGIS, the world's leading enterprise geospatial technology. The core ArcGIS platform includes ArcGIS Pro (desktop application for 2D/3D mapping and analysis), ArcGIS Online (cloud-based SaaS mapping platform), and ArcGIS Enterprise (on-premises enterprise GIS). The platform is extended through specialized apps including ArcGIS Field Maps, Survey123, Dashboards, StoryMaps, and Navigator for field operations and visualization. Analytics capabilities include Insights for ArcGIS (spatial analytics), ArcGIS Business Analyst (market analysis), and ArcGIS GeoEvent Server (real-time IoT monitoring). Industry-specific solutions cover Aviation (ArcGIS for Aviation: Airports), Maritime (ArcGIS for Maritime: Charting), Roads and Highways (Esri Roads and Highways), Utilities (Utility Network), and Tourism (Digital Twin solutions). Developer tools include APIs, SDKs, and AppStudio for custom development. The ecosystem is supported by ArcGIS Living Atlas of the World (global geographic content), cloud services (EMCS), training (Advantage Program), and professional services. The platform integrates with Microsoft 365, Autodesk BIM tools, IoT sensors, GPS/GNSS systems, and social networks. Esri serves over 70% of Fortune 500 companies, 95% of national governments, and 80% of major cities worldwide.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- ArcGIS: The leading geospatial enterprise technology platform that integrates and connects data through geographic components.
- ArcGIS Online
- ArcGIS Business Analyst
- ArcGIS Insights
Products and services
- ArcGIS (Platform) ArcGIS is Esri's enterprise geospatial technology platform integrating mapping, spatial analysis, data management, and application development across desktop, cloud, and mobile environments. It is the world's leading GIS platform trusted by 70% of Fortune 500 companies, 95% of national governments, and 80% of major cities worldwide.
- ArcGIS Pro Desktop application with high-performance 64-bit architecture that creates 2D and 3D maps, enabling faster editing and analysis of complex geographic data for GIS professionals.
- ArcGIS Online Cloud-based mapping and analysis SaaS platform that creates and shares maps, scenes, applications, analysis, and data, scalable to any user on any device through a browser.
- ArcGIS Enterprise On-premises enterprise GIS platform enabling organizations to create, manage, and share geographic information through maps, globes, and applications across the enterprise.
- ArcGIS Enterprise Sites Customized web page builder within ArcGIS Enterprise for tailored experiences sharing geographic information and dashboards.
- ArcGIS Field Maps All-in-one mobile app using data-driven maps and mobile forms that helps field workers capture and edit geographic data with online and offline capabilities.
- ArcGIS Survey123 Form-based survey application for lightweight, intuitive collection, management, and analysis of field data with rapid deployment.
- ArcGIS Dashboards Real-time dashboard application that integrates maps, charts, graphs, and KPIs to support operational monitoring and decision-making.
- ArcGIS StoryMaps Narrative storytelling platform that combines web maps with text, photos, and videos to inform, engage, and inspire audiences.
- ArcGIS Business Analyst Market knowledge solution combining demographic, lifestyle, and spending data with map-based analysis for site selection, market planning, and customer segmentation.
- Insights for ArcGIS Spatial analysis software that fuses spatial analytics workflows with open data science and business intelligence, enabling advanced spatial, statistical, predictive, and relational analysis.
- ArcGIS GeoEvent Server Real-time mapping and analysis server for tracking moving assets, monitoring fixed sensors, and ingesting social media data streams, with built-in connectors for GPS and social networks plus custom SDK connectors.
- Utility Network Sophisticated solution enabling utilities to manage network infrastructure with online and offline capabilities for asset management.
- Esri Roads and Highways Linear Referencing System (LRS) solution enabling transportation departments to integrate data from multiple road networks for comprehensive highway management.
- ArcGIS for Aviation: Airports Industry-standard solution for airport data quality management, operational improvement, and automated tasks aligned with civil aviation requirements.
- ArcGIS for Maritime: Charting Maritime charting solution providing comprehensive port operations visualization in real-time with integrated maritime data.
- Esri CityEngine Advanced 3D design application for creating, editing, and sharing massive 3D building models and urban environments.
- ArcGIS Drone2Map Drone imagery processing solution for creating professional image products for visualization and analysis within ArcGIS.
- Esri Managed Cloud Services (EMCS) Managed cloud hosting and administration service where Esri experts design, deploy, maintain, monitor, and administer the customer's ArcGIS cloud environment.
- Enterprise Cloud Migration Migration service for transitioning ArcGIS Enterprise environments to cloud platforms with cloud-native infrastructure, automatic scaling, and managed databases.
- Esri Professional Services (Servicios Profesionales) Consulting and implementation services including technology consulting, application customization, advanced technical support, cloud and on-premises deployment, and packaged Jumpstart engagements to maximize customer ArcGIS investment.
- Enterprise Advantage Program (AP) Strategic advantage program providing ongoing collaboration, technical advisory, product training, and consulting services aligned with organizational objectives to maximize customer ArcGIS value.
- ArcGIS Instant Apps No-code web application builder for quickly creating interactive apps that facilitate map and data interaction.
- ArcGIS AppStudio for ArcGIS Application development platform for converting maps into native apps for Android, iOS, Windows, OS X, and Linux without writing code.
- ArcGIS Maps for Adobe Creative Cloud Design tool integration enabling professionals to access maps within Adobe applications as vector or raster layers.
- ArcGIS Redistricting Web-based solution for creating and sharing compliant district redistribution plans for governments and citizens.
- Digital Twin for Tourism Virtual replica of tourist destinations for recreation at various scales including natural areas, urban zones, and building interiors, improving resource optimization, destination planning, and mobility analysis.
Quantifiable outcome
- Up to 15% reduction in construction cost overruns from errors
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Esri
Customer profileNamed customers17 records
Segments13 records
Ideal customer profiles6 records
Esri technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration8 records
AI capability11 records
Feature12 records
Esri partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- ZIGURATcoreEsri España signed agreement with ZIGURAT to incorporate ArcGIS in their Master's program. Students will receive official ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online licenses, accessing tools used by 70% of Fortune 500 companies, 95% of national governments, and 80% of major cities worldwide.
- Castilla-La Mancha Regional GovernmentminorRegional government partnership for digital transformation projects using Esri technology.
- YWP Spain (Young Professionals in GIS)minorYWP Spain and Esri partnership to promote geospatial technology awareness and adoption among young professionals.
- Ambiental RiskcorePartnership providing Esri users with flood risk data through the platform integration.
- FacebookcoreFacebook and Esri collaboration with OpenStreetMap to launch new datasets, enhancing mapping and geospatial data availability.
- DEYDE (MyDataQ)minorDEYDE joined Esri's COVID-19 initiative contributing data quality services for pandemic management.
- Universidad de NavarraminorEsri España and Universidad de Navarra Faculty of Philosophy and Letters signed agreement for development of Digital Humanities and Geohumanities.
- Universidad Autónoma de MadridminorUniversidad Autónoma de Madrid signed institutional license agreement (Site License) with Esri for ArcGIS platform access across the university community.
- Johns Hopkins UniversitycoreJohns Hopkins Center for Systems Science and Engineering created an interactive COVID-19 tracking map using ArcGIS platform, which became a global reference during the pandemic.
- IDOMcoreIDOM is Esri España's partner that developed the Localiza solution for Renfe Viajeros, implementing real-time service tracking and fleet management on ArcGIS platform.
- SatCen (Centro de Satélites de la Unión Europea)coreSatCen signed agreement with Esri España for unlimited use of Esri technology, accompanied by consulting and professional services to implement a complete geospatial platform for satellite imagery management.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Esri competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Google Maps Platform: Google Maps Platform provides cloud-based maps, routes, and places APIs as part of Google Cloud. While it serves a different buyer (developer/PM) than Esri, it competes for spatial data layer spend and increasingly encroaches into enterprise GIS workflows.
- Trimble: Trimble provides geospatial, construction, and agriculture technology, often integrated with high-precision positioning hardware. It overlaps with Esri in AEC, infrastructure, and utilities (e.g., Panama Canal, FCC Construcción-style projects) and increasingly competes in BIM-GIS integration.
- Hexagon Geospatial: Hexagon Geospatial is the geospatial division of Hexagon AB, providing enterprise imagery processing, remote sensing, and GIS software to defense, government, and utilities customers globally. It is a long-standing incumbent competitor to Esri in the geospatial platform category, particularly in defense/aeronautical and remote sensing.
- Microsoft Azure Maps: Microsoft Azure Maps is the cloud mapping service bundled into the broader Azure platform, often used in conjunction with Dynamics, Power BI, and Microsoft 365 (Esri itself ships ArcGIS for Microsoft 365). It competes for embedded mapping budgets inside Microsoft-centric enterprises.
- Pitney Bowes (MapInfo): Pitney Bowes operates the MapInfo Pro desktop GIS line and broader location data/ecommerce logistics analytics. It is a legacy GIS incumbent with overlapping demographic, retail, and government analytics offerings to Esri Business Analyst / Insights.
Direct peers
- CARTO: CARTO is a SaaS location intelligence platform focused on spatial analytics, demographic data, and business intelligence workflows. It directly mirrors ArcGIS Business Analyst and Insights for ArcGIS for enterprise customers needing cloud-based spatial analytics without on-prem GIS infrastructure.
- HERE Technologies: HERE is a global enterprise mapping and location platform serving automotive, logistics, and government customers. It competes most directly with Esri ArcGIS at the enterprise location data and platform layer, and both companies supply Spanish and European public-sector and infrastructure customers with comparable spatial data foundations.
- TomTom: TomTom provides mapping, navigation, and location technology for consumer, automotive, and enterprise applications. It overlaps with Esri's Roads and Highways, Network Analyst, and Navigator products for transportation, mobility, and fleet customers.
- Mapbox: Mapbox is a cloud-native, developer-first location platform offering maps, navigation, and geospatial APIs. It is the closest SaaS-native challenger to ArcGIS Online and overlaps with Esri in logistics, mobility, retail, and real-time asset visibility use cases.
Emerging players
- Foursquare: Foursquare operates a location data and analytics platform (Unfolded, Place Insights) that competes in the consumer/visit intelligence space adjacent to ArcGIS Business Analyst and retail site selection offerings.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Esri social profiles
Digital presenceEsri compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Esri financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Esri leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Esri funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Esri M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments4 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Esri
What does Esri do?
Esri fundamentally develops and sells ArcGIS, an enterprise geospatial platform that integrates and connects data through geographic components. The offering includes desktop (ArcGIS Pro), cloud SaaS (ArcGIS Online), and on-premises (ArcGIS Enterprise) deployment options, extended through specialized field, analytics, real-time, and industry-specific apps. Complementing the software, Esri sells ArcGIS Living Atlas geographic content, professional consulting services, managed cloud hosting (EMCS), and the Enterprise Advantage Program to organizations worldwide.
Is Esri a public or private company?
Esri is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Esri founded?
Esri was founded in 1969. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Esri based?
Esri is headquartered in Madrid, Spain, in the Europe region.
How does Esri make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Software Licenses are the primary driver. The others are software Subscriptions, professional Services, managed Cloud Services (EMCS), enterprise Advantage Program (AP) and maintenance and Support.
Who are Esri's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Google Maps Platform, Trimble, Hexagon Geospatial, Microsoft Azure Maps and Pitney Bowes (MapInfo). Direct peers are CARTO, HERE Technologies, TomTom and Mapbox. Foursquare is listed as an emerging player.
Does Esri have an API?
Yes. All ArcGIS Online capabilities are available through various APIs and SDKs. Developers can leverage maps, analysis, and styles created by colleagues in the mapping field. The platform enables extending and customizing ArcGIS Online elements and developing custom applications using developer tools. ArcGIS GeoEvent Server provides connectors for GPS vehicle devices and social network providers, with an SDK available for creating custom connectors and extended capabilities. Developer documentation is at www.esri.es/es-es/arcgis/productos/arcgis-for-developers/introduccion.
What industry is Esri in?
Esri's product category is Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAEALAB, Enterprise Service Management (ESM) Platforms. Its NAICS code is 5132 and its SIC code is 7373.