ARIS BPA vs ARIS Cloud comparison

ARIS BPA and ARIS Cloud are both solutions in the Business Process Design category. ARIS BPA is ranked #6 with an average rating of 8.3, while ARIS Cloud is ranked #15 with an average rating of 7.2. ARIS BPA holds a 7.6% mindshare in BPD, compared to ARIS Cloud’s 2.1% mindshare. Additionally, 88% of ARIS BPA users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 87% of ARIS Cloud users who would recommend it.

ARIS BPA

Read 66 ARIS BPA reviews

4,394 Views
2,417 Comparison Views

88% willing to recommend

ARIS Cloud

Read 14 ARIS Cloud reviews

1,090 Views
681 Comparison Views

87% willing to recommend

ARIS BPA

ARIS Cloud

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Nov 3, 2024

ARIS BPA and ARIS Cloud compete in the business process modeling and analysis category, with each offering unique strengths. Based on feature comparisons, ARIS BPA appears to have the upper hand due to its comprehensive modeling capabilities and integration features.

Features: ARIS BPA offers robust capabilities for process documentation, simulation, and reporting. Its extensive integration features, including SAP SolMan sync, enhance its functionality. ARIS BPA is also notable for creating and maintaining detailed process blueprints. ARIS Cloud stands out with its user-friendly interface, accessibility across multiple platforms, and ease of collaboration among users and devices.

Room for Improvement: ARIS BPA could improve its user interface, reduce complexity, and enhance documentation. It also faces high costs for customization and integration. ARIS Cloud would benefit from better integration capabilities, improved security measures, and a smoother interface to support seamless collaboration and robust process execution.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: ARIS BPA offers multiple deployment options, including on-premises and cloud, providing flexibility but adding complexity. Customer service reviews are mixed, with reliability concerns. ARIS Cloud excels in hybrid and public cloud deployments with scalable options. Its customer service is generally strong, though there is room for more consistent communication.

Pricing and ROI: ARIS BPA is considered expensive, with a complex licensing model that can be challenging for smaller organizations. However, its broad capabilities make it a valued investment. ARIS Cloud offers a simpler licensing model, making it more affordable and appealing to a wider range of enterprises, promising a flexible path to achieving ROI.

To learn more, read our detailed ARIS BPA vs. ARIS Cloud Report (Updated: June 2025).

Buyer's Guide

ARIS BPA vs. ARIS Cloud

June 2025

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Helped 856,873 peers since 2012

Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Categories and Ranking

ARIS BPA

Ranking in Business Process Design

6th

Ranking in Business Process Management (BPM)

8th

Average Rating

8.2

Reviews Sentiment

6.8

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

ARIS Cloud

Ranking in Business Process Design

15th

Ranking in Business Process Management (BPM)

22nd

Average Rating

8.0

Reviews Sentiment

6.5

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of June 2025, in the Business Process Design category, the mindshare of ARIS BPA is 7.6%, down from 9.2% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of ARIS Cloud is 2.1%, up from 1.9% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Business Process Design

Featured Reviews

Cirvesh-Daga

Director at T-Systems International GmbH

Capable of handling a wide range of business processes but presents users complexity with two interfaces (Java application and web interface)

ARIS needs to make a better user interface. The user interface sucks. The problem with ARIS is that they have two interfaces for the same product. You can use either a Java application or a web interface. The web interface doesn't give you access to the same features as the Java application. You have to switch between the two interfaces to get some things done. The web interface is more intuitive, but it lacks the functionality of the Java interface. So I'd give it a six for that reason. The Java interface has more functionality, but it tends to run out of memory and has its own set of problems. So, I'd also give it a six out of ten because of the technology choice. It was really frustrating having two UIs for the same product, with some functionality in one and not in the other. They've got to do something about that.

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BPMexp67

BPM Expert at a consultancy with 1-10 employees

The dynamic and flexible approach, akin to outsourcing, is beneficial for both small and large enterprises

Security is a consideration when migrating to the cloud. It's crucial to address potential risks and include security measures in the contract with the cloud provider. While there haven't been issues so far, acknowledging the risks is essential, especially when dealing with applications like ARIS. With the increasing capabilities and advancements in technology, many current challenges are likely to be resolved in the future. Despite security concerns, utilizing opportunities in the cloud and the internet offers significant advantages. Regarding areas for improvement, security remains a key consideration, especially when deploying ARIS in the cloud. However, this is not solely a product-specific concern but also pertains to the cloud environment. Beyond security, the strength of ARIS lies in its ability to serve as a unified repository for enterprise architecture. Having all information in one place facilitates alignment with the company's vision, strategy, and business objectives. Reducing redundancies across departments is crucial for maintaining service quality and minimizing costs. It ensures that everyone is on the same page, fostering collaboration and preventing discrepancies in information and services. While I currently use Guardis for this purpose, the concept of enterprise architecture is applicable, and ARIS stands as a valuable tool to support business processes and technology alignment within the company.

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Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"ARIS is probably the most mature product in terms of modeling an enterprise architecture so that it has context."

"This solution has helped us in terms of discovering business processes."

"Collaboration and governance over enterprise artifacts."

"The most valuable features of ARIS BPA are its flexibility and reporting."

"The initial setup is easy."

"It has allowed us to model our enterprise process architecture."

"I am an advanced user. ARIS BPM is intuitive for me because I know the UML, BPMN, and EPC methodologies implemented in this tool. It is very easy to create processes for restructuring a company with some descriptions."

"There is a really powerful reporting API that allows you to create almost any kind of report you want out of your process and document repository."

More ARIS BPA pros

"Signavio is more intuitive, allowing users with no prior knowledge to navigate and understand its functionality more readily."

"In terms of UX design, somebody who has not had experience with ARIS will be able to use it very easily."

"In the end, what stands out to me is the ease of using the cloud. I don't see any distinct or unique advantages in business process modeling software compared to other application software. The cloud simplifies operations and removes many operational complexities, which is a significant benefit."

"The cloud version has the advantage that you can work on it from anywhere."

"The solution's most valuable feature stems from its being very easy to use, making it a very user-friendly tool."

"ARIS Cloud offers easy query writing for retrieving information and includes a user-friendly Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) part that aids risk managers effectively."

"It's very easy to collaborate with. It's very user-friendly"

"Aris Connect opens collaboration opportunities between team members within the organization where they can actually submit change requests, navigate processes, and offer comments. It opens up the potential for BPM within the organization. I didn't see such an angle of a BPM portal with any other products. So I would say that's the best selling feature."

More ARIS Cloud pros

Cons

"The areas of ARIS where we see room for improvement are actually related to the background services that support it. Over the last number of years, Software AG has moved from an on-premises solution into deploying a SaaS solution to their enterprise base. That has been really successful from my point of view, as I have been a customer of ARIS, managing the relationship, for a couple years. Certain support functions around the knowledge base, customer service, and the cross and upselling of modules within the core ARIS component are lagging behind the SaaS movement."

"The workflow approval process could be represented better in the overviews."

"The reporting and the information query features could do with some improvement."

"The model graphics can be exported in PDF, but the model is too small to read."

"If you want to create new reports then you have to use JavaScript, or ARIS script as they call it, which is beyond the competencies of most people."

"There should be a more intuitive tool when creating reports."

"The user experience's usability (in general) should be improved as the tool is updated."

"Integration with third-party tools should be improved (e.g. based on APIs)."

More ARIS BPA cons

"Initial setup is rather complex. You have to find a way to isolate the complexity, and find common ground."

"The price is quite high. This is one weak point of the solution."

"If you have multiple tiers of approvals into that update of the policy, or the process design itself, it takes ages to prepare those internal flows within the system."

"It seems that there could be innovations in fostering spontaneous cooperation between departments and individuals. This extends to case management and finding new paradigms for enhancing such cooperation. While some approaches, like basic case management tools, have been tried in the past, they may not have met expectations entirely. However, ongoing efforts in administrative science are focused on these areas. Companies with innovative ideas can contribute to progress, possibly involving concepts related to trust, even within the context of web 3. There are intriguing developments in how economic and business organizations can be formed. When it comes to learning about these concepts, starting with simple examples and gradually moving to more complex ones is advisable. Begin with the basics, excluding unnecessary details that might hinder understanding. Over time, you can delve into more intricate aspects, such as Bitcoin and the Lightning Network, to gain a deeper understanding of these technologies."

"On an enterprise level, the ability to onboard somebody quickly is cumbersome because it just has too many things in it. It's got something like a hundred or more techniques and things in it."

"I would like to see more support for architectural diagrams."

"The stability was poor due to frequent outages."

"The support team of ARIS Cloud has certain shortcomings where improvements are required."

More ARIS Cloud cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The setup cost and pricing depend on the license (Modeler, Viewer, Administrator)."

"The tool is expensive."

"The solution has a fair price for the value it delivers."

"Pricing is a bit on the higher side."

"The pricing and licensing costs are available on their website. They will assign a relationship manager to assist if you show further interest in their products."

"If you can afford it, it's the best so far."

"This is absolutely not the cheapest solution in the market, but for large companies, the price is fine."

"Negotiate. Price is high so make sure you’re getting the best deal."

More ARIS BPA pricing and cost advice

"There is a student version of this solution that can be used for free."

"The licensing model of ARIS Cloud is leaner and more beneficial to the customer. The new license model is great. With the on-premise, you needed to subscribe to many more types of licenses. Now there are licensed bundles available on the cloud."

"The cloud deployment is not more expensive. In the cloud, you pay for what you use, and there's no need for maintaining infrastructure or additional personnel, making it cost-effective. On-premises deployment, on the other hand, involves infrastructure costs and maintenance expenses."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Financial Services Firm

17%

Computer Software Company

12%

Manufacturing Company

11%

Government

Financial Services Firm

19%

Computer Software Company

15%

Government

Manufacturing Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about ARIS BPA?

The most valuable features of ARIS BPA are its flexibility and reporting.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for ARIS BPA?

Pricing for ARIS BPA is average, not cheap or expensive. It's cost-effective and worth the money we pay.

See all answers

What needs improvement with ARIS BPA?

I find it difficult to access the database as I want with direct querying. I must write scripts, which requires specific knowledge. Software AG could improve this by making the database more open. ...

See all answers

What do you like most about ARIS Cloud?

The solution's most valuable feature stems from its being very easy to use, making it a very user-friendly tool.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for ARIS Cloud?

The price of ARIS Cloud is relatively high and not every firm can afford it, especially if the company is not mature enough to require such extensive process modeling and optimization.

See all answers

What needs improvement with ARIS Cloud?

It would be beneficial for ARIS Cloud to add more customization options, such as having a landing page. Improving the importation script from Microsoft Visio ( /products/visio-reviews ) would also ...

See all answers

Comparisons

SAP Signavio Process Manager vs ARIS BPA

Compared 24% of the time

ADONIS vs ARIS BPA

Compared 10% of the time

Camunda vs ARIS BPA

Compared 7% of the time

Bizagi vs ARIS BPA

Compared 6% of the time

Visio vs ARIS BPA

Compared 6% of the time

More ARIS BPA Competitors

IBM Blueworks Live vs ARIS Cloud

Compared 18% of the time

SAP Signavio Process Manager vs ARIS Cloud

Compared 17% of the time

ARIS Architect and Designer vs ARIS Cloud

Compared 15% of the time

Salesforce Platform vs ARIS Cloud

Compared 8% of the time

iServer vs ARIS Cloud

Compared 6% of the time

More ARIS Cloud Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

ARIS BPA

June 2025

Download ARIS BPA product report

Buyer's Guide

ARIS Cloud

June 2025

Download ARIS Cloud product report

Also Known As

ARIS, ARIS BPM

Process Live, ARIS Simulation, ARIS Aware, ARIS Connect

Overview

ARIS is the market-leading solution for professional business process management and modeling. Whether you want to document the "as-is" state of your operations for quality or certification reasons or design the "to-be" in terms of continuous improvement in your transformation program, ARIS is the best choice for establishing a single source of truth regarding all process excellence topics in your organization. It is for any organization looking to digitally transform their business, increase operational excellence and customer experience and ensure compliance in execution. ARIS helps you to make the most out of your processes with Process Mining, Risk & Compliance Management, RPA and much more.

What makes the difference?

The most comprehensive platform for process excellence in the market
Easy to use
Covers business & IT architecture from all angles
Full flexibility and >100 diagram types
Customer-driven development based on best practices
Strong partner ecosystem

ARIS is the market-leading solution for any organization and ideally suited to digitally transform the organization, increase operational excellence and customer experience and ensure compliance in execution.

Software AG

What makes the difference?

The most comprehensive platform for process excellence in the market

Easy to use

Covers business & IT architecture from all angles

Full flexibility and >100 diagram types

Customer-driven development based on best practices

Strong partner ecosystem

Software AG

Sample Customers

Tesco, Weifu, Airbus, Siemens, Proximus, Alicorp, Sekerbank, Bancor, Philips,Sky, Emirates NBD, Dubai Municipality, Suva, U.S. Army, Australia Post, Westfalen Weser Energie - ARIS serves customers across all industries and of every size worldwide. Companies trust ARIS as the market leader for process excellence with more than 30 years of experience in the market, 10 million users worldwide, from 1 user companies to the Fortune 500.

Tesco, Weifu, Airbus, Siemens, Proximus, Alicorp, Sekerbank, Bancor, Philips,Sky, Emirates NBD, Dubai Municipality, Suva, U.S. Army, Australia Post, Westfalen Weser Energie - ARIS serves customers across all industries and of every size worldwide. Companies trust ARIS as the market leader for process excellence with more than 30 years of experience in the market and 10 million users worldwide, from 1 user companies to the Fortune 500.

Buyer's Guide

ARIS BPA vs. ARIS Cloud

June 2025

Free Report: ARIS BPA vs. ARIS Cloud

Find out what your peers are saying about ARIS BPA vs. ARIS Cloud and other solutions. Updated: June 2025.

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