Choose between version 3.x and 4.x
Version 4.x of the ArcGIS API for JavaScript includes almost all capabilities that are part of 3.x along with many new innovations that are exclusive to 4.x; for example 3D visualization, map rotation, and deeper ArcGIS Enterprise and ArcGIS Online integration. While not all 3.x capabilities are included in 4.x, each release adds more functionality until it not only matches 3.x but far exceeds it. Developers should consider their app requirements and evaluate whether the current 4.x or 3.x release has the desired capabilities. For example:
- Does the app need 3D visualization? If so, use 4.x.
- Are you working with very large feature layers? If so, use 4.x.
- Do you need a particular functionality from 3.x that's not yet available in 4.x such as analysis widgets? If so, use 3.x.
| Capability | 3.x | 4.x |
|---|---|---|
| 3D | Not available | Released |
| 2D | Released | Released |
| Vector Tile Layer | Released | Released |
| Raster Tile Layer | Released | Released |
| Imagery Layer | Released | Released |
| Map Image Layer | Released | Released |
| Feature Layer | Released | Released |
| Geometry Engine | Released | Released |
| Printing | Released | Released |
| Routing & Directions | Released | Released |
| Web Map | Released (partial support) | Released (partial support) |
| Web Scene | Not available | Released |
| Directly consume layers from your portal items | Not available | Released |
| Editing and Sketching | Released (partial support) | Released (partial support) |
| OGC layers: WMS, WMTS, KML, WFS | Released | Released |
| OGC API Features (OGCFeatureLayer) | Not available | Released |
| Time | Released | Released |
| More GIS functionality widgets (Analysis) | Released | Coming soon |
See the detailed functionality matrix for a full comparison.