Types of mapping apps

In general, there are three types of mapping apps you can build with ArcGIS location services. Each has its own development pattern:

1. Map apps: Custom apps built from the ground up.
2. Map apps using web maps: Custom apps that use a predefined web map.
3. Map apps from builders: Apps created from builders that use a predefined web map.

Map apps

Map apps are custom mapping applications built from the ground up using a client-side mapping library and location services. They contain all of the functionality required to access location services, style and display geographic data, provide mapping functionality, and support user interactions. The services you use depend on the functionality required for your application.

Build this type of application when you want to:

• Implement all of the map creation and styling code manually.
• Use ArcGIS Maps SDKs, open source libraries, or ArcGIS API for Python.
• Create a custom user interface.
• Integrate with an existing application or system.
• Implement specific mapping and location service functionality.
• Host the application in your own infrastructure.

Example

Map apps using web maps

Map apps using web maps are custom mapping applications that contain all of the code and functionality required to display a predefined web map or web scene. The main difference with building this type of application is you have to create a web map or web scene first, and then you write a custom application to load and display it.

To create a web map or web scene, you use tools such as Map Viewer, Scene Viewer, or ArcGIS Pro. The tools allow you to configure all of the map and layer settings interactively such as the layer order, style, and popups. The process of creating, configuring, and saving a web map is also known as authoring a web map.

After you create a web map, you can use ArcGIS Maps SDKs to load it and take advantage of all of the configured settings. Web maps and web scenes are stored in your portal.

Creating a web map for an application greatly reduces the amount of code you need to write and the time it takes to display a fully styled map. To learn more about authoring web maps, go to Create a web map and Style layers in a web map.

Build this type of application when you want to:

• Create and configure the map or scene for your app interactively.
• Use ArcGIS Maps SDKs.
• Add and style all data layers interactively.
• Configure popups for all data layers interactively.
• Update the map remotely without changing your code.
• Provide secure access to the map and layers through the web map and ArcGIS portal.
• Host the application in your own infrastructure.

Example

Map apps from builders

Low-code/no-code map apps are apps built using app builders such as Instant Apps or ArcGIS Experience Builder. In most cases, you need to create a web map or web scene before you create an app. This provides the geographic context and data for the builder. Once you have a web map, you can use any of the builders to create and save an application.

When using the builders you can configure many settings such as the title, description, and visible map controls. The main difference with this type of application is that you can only configure the features available in the builder settings and the application is not customizable. Some builders such as ArcGIS Experience Builder do allow you to build custom extensions however. Another main difference is the application is stored and hosted in your portal as an application item. Therefore, you do not need to implement a web server or infrastructure to host the application.

Build this type of application when you want to:

• Create and configure an application interactively without code.
• Create and configure the map or scene interactively.
• Store and access the application in an ArcGIS portal.
• Provide secure access to the application through an ArcGIS portal.
• Update the application remotely.

Example

Choose a type of application

The following table lists the types of mapping apps you can create with different development use cases.

	Map apps	Map apps using web maps	Map apps from builders
You have ArcGIS Location Platform.
You have ArcGIS Online.
You have ArcGIS Enterprise.	1	1	1
You want to use ArcGIS Maps SDKs.			2
You want to use open source libraries.
You don't want to write code.
You want to programmatically style your maps and layers.
You want to interactively style your maps and layers by using web maps.
You need a highly specialized user interface.			2
You want to update the map for your application without making code changes.
You want to host your application in an ArcGIS portal.
You want to implement API key authentication.
You want to implement user authentication.

• 1. Can create apps but you cannot access ArcGIS location services with an ArcGIS Enterprise account. For more information, see the FAQ.
• 2. Templates are provided but the ArcGIS Experience Builder interface can be extended with custom widgets.

Choose a mapping library

The following SDKs and APIs can be used to build different types of mapping applications.

	Map apps	Map apps using web maps	Map apps from builders
ArcGIS Maps SDK for JavaScript			1
ArcGIS Maps SDK for .NET
ArcGIS Maps SDK for Kotlin
ArcGIS Maps SDK for Swift
ArcGIS Maps SDK for Java
ArcGIS Maps SDK for Qt
ArcGIS API for Python
ArcGIS REST JS
Esri Leaflet
MapLibre GL JS
OpenLayers
CesiumJS

• 1. Can only be used to extend ArcGIS Experience Builder with custom widgets.