Introduction to app builders

ArcGIS Instant AppsArcGIS Instant Apps is an app builder product that allows users to quickly create and share interactive web apps without any coding.Learn more, ArcGIS StoryMapsArcGIS StoryMaps is an app builder product that creates interactive narratives by combining maps, multimedia content, and text to communicate stories in a visually engaging way.Learn more, ArcGIS DashboardsArcGIS Dashboards is an app builder product that creates configurable dashboards to visualize data, communicate information, and analyze real-time data in a single screen.Learn more, and ArcGIS Experience BuilderArcGIS Experience Builder is a highly configurable app builder product that creates immersive web apps by combining maps, data, and interactive widgets with little to no coding.Learn more allow you to build many different types of web applications. All app buildersApp builder is an ArcGIS product that is used to create, configure, and deploy web applications using user interfaces, templates, and predefined software components.Learn more greatly simplify the process of creating web apps with mapping, analysis, and data-driven functionality. This section provides a comparison of the builders, product support, capabilities, and some of the key features to consider when selecting a builder.

Common features

Some of the common features supported by all app builders include the following:

• Interactive interfaces: The builder interfaces are designed to be user-friendly and accessible for all levels of developers. They provide a drag-and-drop interface that simplifies the process of creating custom applications.

• Pre-built components: App builders, except for ArcGIS Dashboards, provide pre-built components and templates that you can start from instead of writing code from scratch.

• Configurable: Each builder provides a range of configuration options, allowing you to create an application that meets your specific requirements. You can customize everything from the interface to the functionality.

• Integration with ArcGIS: The builders integrate seamlessly with ArcGISArcGIS is the brand name for all of the desktop, server, and developer products and technologies offered by Esri.Learn more products and technologies, allowing you to take advantage of a range of pre-existing tools, content, and data.

• Web hosting: All web applications created by the builders are hosted and managed in ArcGIS.

• Security and sharing: All web applications created by the builders support security and can be shared with a group, shared publicly, or not shared.

Products and availability

The table below lists the ArcGIS products that support app builders.

	ArcGIS OnlineArcGIS Online is a GIS mapping, analytics, data hosting, and content management software as a service (SaaS) product. It includes applications, tools, APIs, and location services for users and developers. It is subscription-based and requires an ArcGIS Online account.Learn more	ArcGIS EnterpriseArcGIS Enterprise is a GIS mapping, analytics, data hosting, and content management product that can be hosted on-premise or in a cloud infrastructure. It includes software, applications, tools, APIs, and services for users and developers.Learn more	ArcGIS Location PlatformArcGIS Location Platform, formerly known as ArcGIS Platform, is a Platform as a Service (PaaS) product that gives developers access to location services, APIs, and tools to build mapping and spatial analysis applications. It is subscription-based and requires an ArcGIS Location Platform account.Learn more
ArcGIS Instant Apps
ArcGIS Dashboards
ArcGIS StoryMaps
ArcGIS Experience Builder

Functionality and capabilities

The table below lists the supported capabilities of each app builder.

	ArcGIS Instant Apps	ArcGIS Dashboards	ArcGIS StoryMaps	ArcGIS Experience Builder
2D mapsA map is a collection of layers that are displayed in 2D. It is typically composed of a basemap layer and data layers.Learn more
3D mapsA scene is a collection of layers that are displayed in 3D. It is typically composed of a basemap layer, data layers, and 3D data.Learn more
Web apps
Mobile responsiveMobile-responsive is a website or an application that automatically adjusts the design and layout to fit different screen sizes and orientations providing the best viewing experience.Learn more
Mobile optimizedMobile-optimized is a website or an application that is specifically designed to provide the best possible user experience on mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.Learn more
Native apps
Developer edition
Pre-configured templates
Pre-built widgets
Drag-and-drop UX
ArcGIS Online deployment
ArcGIS Enterprise deployment
On-premises web server deployment
Custom templates
Custom widgets
API keyAn API key is a long-lived access token created using API key credentials. They are valid for up to one year and are typically embedded directly into client applications.Learn more
OAuth 2.0

Location service support

The table below lists ready-to-use location servicesArcGIS Location Services, also referred to as Location Services, are services hosted by Esri that provide geospatial functionality for developing mapping applications. They include the ArcGIS Basemap Styles service, ArcGIS Static Basemap Tiles service, ArcGIS Places service, ArcGIS Geocoding service, ArcGIS Routing service, ArcGIS GeoEnrichment service, and ArcGIS Elevation service. An ArcGIS Location Platform or ArcGIS Online account is required to use the services.Learn more that can be accessed by builder templates or widgets.

	ArcGIS Instant Apps	ArcGIS Dashboards	ArcGIS StoryMaps	ArcGIS Experience Builder
Basemap layer service
Geocoding service
Routing service
GeoEnrichment service
Spatial analysis service
Geometry service
Elevation service
Hydrology service
Offline packaging service

Mobile support

ArcGIS Instant AppsArcGIS Instant Apps is an app builder product that allows users to quickly create and share interactive web apps without any coding.Learn more and ArcGIS StoryMapsArcGIS StoryMaps is an app builder product that creates interactive narratives by combining maps, multimedia content, and text to communicate stories in a visually engaging way.Learn more are designed to be mobile-responsive where apps will adjust to the different screen sizes they are being viewed on. Meanwhile, mobile-optimized apps built using ArcGIS Experience BuilderArcGIS Experience Builder is a highly configurable app builder product that creates immersive web apps by combining maps, data, and interactive widgets with little to no coding.Learn more and ArcGIS DashboardsArcGIS Dashboards is an app builder product that creates configurable dashboards to visualize data, communicate information, and analyze real-time data in a single screen.Learn more are designed and configured specifically for viewing and use on mobile devices.

The table below lists mobile support for each app builder.

	ArcGIS Instant Apps	ArcGIS Dashboards	ArcGIS StoryMaps	ArcGIS Experience Builder
Responsive on all screen sizes
Resizing media for all screen sizes
Auto position content to fit all screen sizes
Improved page loading performance
Enhanced clickable areas for increased usability
Unique layout and user experience for each screen size