Which Esri mobile app should I use for field data collection?

With spring arriving, it’s time for spring cleaning! But before you declutter, it’s best to take inventory first. Read on to find out which Esri mobile application is best suited to your field data collection process—and which apps you can leave behind.

So you want to gather data in the field using Esri technology. Great news! But which application is best suited to your needs? After all, there are a lot of applications to choose from—it can be hard to know what’s best.

When it comes to fieldwork, you might have heard of ArcGIS Web AppBuilder, ArcGIS Experience Builder, ArcGIS Dashboards, ArcGIS Collector, ArcGIS Navigator, ArcGIS Explorer, ArcGIS Workforce, ArcGIS Tracker, ArcGIS Field Maps, ArcGIS Survey123 or ArcGIS QuickCapture. And this is still only a subset of the applications available for field data collection.

Let’s review some of the more common apps to get you started.

What not to use: apps that help you make other apps

First, let’s talk about applications you shouldn’t use. These ones simply aren’t optimized for field data collection and won’t offer the functionality you need.

ArcGIS Web AppBuilder enables you to create web applications, but it’s not optimized for field use. Web AppBuilder will also be retired in 2025, its successor being ArcGIS Experience Builder.

ArcGIS Experience Builder is now Esri’s main web-based app creator. Like ArcGIS Web AppBuilder, it’s not optimized for field data collection.
 

ArcGIS Dashboards enables you to summarize scenarios using maps, charts, tables and other widgets. It can’t be used to collect data, but you can use it to display the results of your data collection activities.

That leaves us with applications that are optimized (and even designed) for fieldwork. 

What not to use: retired apps

These apps are either retired or on their way out. If you’re working with any of these, make sure to migrate your workflows to a modern application and reap the benefits of Esri’s advanced GIS technology.

ArcGIS Collector is a map-centric data collection application, the functionality of which has been integrated into ArcGIS Field Maps. Don’t use Collector on your new projects! If you still use it, the time is now to migrate your projects to Field Maps.

ArcGIS Navigator allows you to plan routes using your own network. Plans are in motion to integrate it into Field Maps. Think of this as a fully customizable and offline version of Apple Maps or Google Maps.

ArcGIS Explorer is a mobile read-only GIS viewer. Don’t use the standalone app! Its functionality has been integrated into Field Maps. You shouldn’t use it anymore and should instead migrate to Field Maps.

ArcGIS Workforce is an application used to coordinate mobile work and assign tasks to mobile workers in real time. It can be useful when planning and assigning tasks in real time. Plans are in motion to integrate it into Field Maps.

ArcGIS Tracker is an application that allows mobile workers to securely share their location with their organization. It enables improved fieldwork management, increased safety and better coordination among teams. Tracker’s functionality has been integrated into Field Maps, so don’t use the standalone app. If you still use this application, you should migrate to Field Maps.

Use these! The best apps for field data collection

Finally, we’re down to the apps you want gracing that lovely new tablet sitting on your desk: ArcGIS Field Maps, ArcGIS Survey123 and ArcGIS QuickCapture. But which of the three should you choose? The answer depends on the needs of your specific project. All three applications will allow you to go out on the field, gather data, and synchronize and store that data in your web portal. Each application could potentially work for any of your projects, but may have more specialized functionality that could make it a better fit for you.

ArcGIS Field Maps, for instance, allows you not only to gather and edit data, view maps directly in the application in read-only mode and share your location securely, it also gives you a lot more freedom when editing geometry. If what you care more about in your data collection project is the geometry, then Field Maps, the map-centric application, is the one for you.

ArcGIS Survey123 is an incredible application. If you want to replace your paper forms, autocomplete some answers, do calculations on the fly and have simple, moderate or complex forms for your project, Survey123 is the application for you. It’s the form-centric application that will revolutionize your data gathering. If a form or attribute table is the most important part of your project, choose Survey123.

ArcGIS QuickCapture, like its name suggests, is quick. If you don’t want to overcomplicate the data gathering process, or if you don’t want your mobile workers to spend time completing long forms or drawing lines or points, then QuickCapture is the right choice for your project. It has the simplest interface of all three recommended apps. This button-centric application will allow you and your colleagues to gather data quickly and easily.

To find out more about those applications and to see how to implements them, try out our instructor-led training courses:

• Field Data Collection and Management Using ArcGIS: Learn best practices for configuring and deploying ArcGIS field productivity apps on iOS or Android.
• ArcGIS Survey123 Connect: Advanced Configurations: Learn how to design smart forms and surveys with ArcGIS Survey123.
• Introduction to Webhooks: Learn how to set up automatic notifications within Survey123 to be automatically notified of events.

Don’t see the course you’re looking for here? Explore our course catalogue to see our full list of offerings.

Want to stay informed about all the latest training opportunities at Esri Canada? Visit Esri Canada’s Communication Preference Centre and select the “Training” checkbox to get a monthly roundup straight to your inbox.