This concept takes some getting used to but makes a lot of sense when looking at it from a project basis.ģ. No more MXD's: ArcMap uses a *.mxd file extension, similar to CAD's *.dwg format, however Pro uses an *.aprx format which allows users to have multiple maps within the same project. This can be really handy when making minor updates to layers hosted in a web map (ArcGIS Online or Arc Enterprise).Ģ. ArcMap would allow you to view these services in a 'read-only' format, however, with Pro you can actually pull in these layers and edit them in real time (assuming editing privileges are enabled). Editing feature services: ArcGIS Pro has the ability to edit feature services on the fly. Below I have summarized my top 5 differences between these two Windows-based GIS software packages both created by Esri.ġ. Yes, they can both read shapefiles and geodatabases but there is some additional functionality with the newer Pro version. ArcGIS Pro is the new ArcMap: As Dave Ramsey likes to say 'The paid-off home mortgage is taking the place of the BMW as the status symbol of choice', in the case of GIS software, ArcGIS Pro is taking the place of ArcMap as the desktop software of choice.
