ArcGIS offers a broad portfolio of products designed to meet a wide range of user needs. While this flexibility is a strength, licensing can sometimes feel complex. To simplify things, the user type model was introduced in 2018, bringing together capabilities and apps to match the needs of different GIS roles.

In June 2024, the license model was refined into six role-based user types, each building on the previous with progressively more capabilities—ranging from Viewer to Professional Plus. These user types align closely with real organisational roles, making license management clearer and more efficient.

We’re excited to share that starting June 2025, four additional products—ArcGIS Navigator, ArcGIS Business Analyst Web App Standard, ArcGIS CityEngine, and ArcGIS Urban—will be included within this model. Here’s an overview of how the six user types break down:

Collaboration-Focused User Types

Viewer

• Securely access maps, apps, and dashboards, including ArcGIS for Microsoft 365.

Contributor

• Edit and update features in ArcGIS Online or ArcGIS Enterprise.
• Interact with ArcGIS for Microsoft 365 and ArcGIS GeoBIM.
• Includes all Viewer capabilities.
• Expands on the former Editor role.

Mobile Worker

From June 2025, ArcGIS Navigator will be included (and no longer sold separately).

Builds on Contributor by adding mobile app access: ArcGIS QuickCapture, Survey123, Field Maps, and Workforce.

Map and App Configuration User Types

Creator

• Designed for building content and apps in ArcGIS Online or Enterprise.
• Includes ArcGIS Image for ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Excalibur, and ArcGIS Pro Basic.
• Combines the previous Creator and GIS Professional Basic roles.
• Starting June 2025, includes ArcGIS Business Analyst Web App Standard (previously sold separately).

Professional

• Everything in Creator, plus ArcGIS Pro Standard with advanced editing, mosaic dataset creation, and Utility Network tools.
• Includes the Advanced Editing extension in ArcGIS Enterprise.
• As of June 2025, ArcGIS CityEngine is included (moved down from a higher tier).

Professional Plus

• Includes ArcGIS Pro Advanced and a suite of popular extensions: 3D Analyst, Spatial Analyst, Image Analyst, Data Reviewer, and Workflow Manager.
• Already includes CityEngine.
• From June 2025, ArcGIS Urban is added to this tier (with ArcGIS Urban Suite being retired).

Why These Updates Matter

The six user types provide a nested licensing model that scales easily as your organisation grows. They allow administrators to align GIS capabilities with staff roles more effectively while simplifying license distribution.

To explore the details of each user type and learn more about the June 2025 updates, contact us renewals@esriea.com