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Beyond Web AppBuilder: A New Experience in App Building

Published Date
Author Maggie Samson

As we move closer to the retirement of ArcGIS Web AppBuilder in Q4 2025, it's crucial to explore the future of app building within the ArcGIS Online ecosystem. While Web AppBuilder has been a reliable tool for years, it's time to embrace the next generation of app creation: ArcGIS Experience Builder.

ArcGIS Experience Builder is a versatile platform for creating highly customized and interactive web apps. However, its extensive customization options can sometimes overwhelm users who want to build a functional app without delving into the technicalities.

To bridge this gap, Esri has introduced Express Mode, a streamlined version of Experience Builder that offers a more structured, template-based approach to app creation. Reminiscent of ArcGIS Web AppBuilder, this model is perfect for users who want to quickly build visually appealing apps without extensive coding or design knowledge.

But how does ArcGIS Experience Builder compare to Web AppBuilder?

To find out, we'll conduct a hands-on comparison. We'll build the same app using all three tools, highlighting their differences. By the end, you'll understand which tool best fits your next project and GIS goals.

Let's get started!

Web AppBuilder

In a matter of a few minutes, I built a simple application that allows users to learn more about waterfalls in the city of Hamilton with data from Hamilton’s open data hub. Using the Billboard Theme, I added five widgets: about, basemap gallery, filter, draw and print.

Screen capture of an ArcGIS Web AppBuilder application showing the point locations for waterfalls in Hamilton. The top left corner of the application has 5 rectangular buttons for the added widgets, in order from left to right: about, basemap gallery, filter, draw and print.

Billboard Theme Web AppBuilder application for waterfalls in Hamilton

Those familiar with Web AppBuilder know this process is quick and easy. Five slots are available and you can fill each with a widget from the bank of options. Each widget is configured directly after it is added and you can go back and make changes through the widget menu if needed. The application is automatically responsive to alternative device screens without additional configuration.

While easy to use, it is a rigid application; you cannot add more than five widgets and the only UI changes you can implement are to the colours of the widgets and which of the four predetermined locations you want them aligned:

Screen capture of an ArcGIS Web AppBuilder application showing the theme tab, highlighting the style and layout options.

ArcGIS Web AppBuilder has limited options for app configuration

As it is retiring, we are using this version of the application as our baseline and will use Experience Builder in both express and full mode to make duplicates of this app. 

ArcGIS Experience Builder – Express Mode

Like with Web AppBuilder, I produced a nearly identical application using Experience Builder express mode in only a few minutes. The same billboard template was available and with just one different widget, I created the same user experience: