IBM Rational System Architect vs Sparx Pro Cloud Server comparison

IBM and Sparx Systems are both solutions in the Enterprise Architecture Management category. IBM is ranked #19, while Sparx Systems is ranked #15 with an average rating of 9.0. IBM holds a 1.7% mindshare in AM, compared to Sparx Systems’s 0.4% mindshare. Additionally, 83% of IBM users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 100% of Sparx Systems users who would recommend it.

IBM Rational System Architect

Read 5 IBM Rational System Architect reviews

883 Views
479 Comparison Views

83% willing to recommend

Sparx Pro Cloud Server

Read 3 Sparx Pro Cloud Server reviews

247 Views
141 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

IBM Rational System Architect

Sparx Pro Cloud Server

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Nov 3, 2024

IBM Rational System Architect and Sparx Pro Cloud Server are competing enterprise architecture management tools. IBM Rational System Architect has advantages in pricing and support, but Sparx Pro Cloud Server may be preferred due to its robust features, potentially justifying its cost.

Features: IBM Rational System Architect excels in enterprise architecture modeling, offering comprehensive frameworks and standard compliance. It provides extensive modeling capabilities, supports large-scale integration, and ensures compliance with industry standards. Sparx Pro Cloud Server includes robust collaboration features, seamless integration with other tools, and enhanced communication capabilities, making it suitable for collaborative environments.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: IBM Rational System Architect involves a more complex setup but is supported by strong customer service. Sparx Pro Cloud Server offers a straightforward deployment model with cloud-based access, simplifying setup and offering prompt customer service for quick adaptation.

Pricing and ROI: IBM Rational System Architect has higher initial setup costs but potentially strong long-term ROI for large enterprises. Sparx Pro Cloud Server is a cost-effective alternative, presenting lower upfront costs and strategic features that can lead to faster ROI, especially in collaboration-focused environments.

To learn more, read our detailed IBM Rational System Architect vs. Sparx Pro Cloud Server Report (Updated: April 2025).

Buyer's Guide

IBM Rational System Architect vs. Sparx Pro Cloud Server

April 2025

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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

IBM Rational System Architect

Ranking in Enterprise Architecture Management

19th

Average Rating

7.4

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Sparx Pro Cloud Server

Ranking in Enterprise Architecture Management

15th

Average Rating

8.4

Reviews Sentiment

7.1

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of April 2025, in the Enterprise Architecture Management category, the mindshare of IBM Rational System Architect is 1.7%, down from 2.6% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Sparx Pro Cloud Server is 0.4%, down from 0.8% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Enterprise Architecture Management

Featured Reviews

it_user951237

Enterprise Architecture Specialist at a energy/utilities company with 10,001+ employees

Modeling is useful, but many features need improvement and technical support is lacking

I find that almost every feature related to the models requires improvement. For example, I would like to see more trendy models, the look and feel of the models can be improved. This solution can be more user-friendly and easier to use, with better dashboards. The impact analysis feature is in need of heavy improvement. The is a standalone product that lacks integration with a business process automation engine. I would like to see the workflow improved, where it integrates seamlessly with the artifacts.

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Pawel-Gawronski

Enterprise Architect at BEC

A cloud SaaS solution for collaboration with customer support

There could be improvement in connecting to and securing this connection. Spark is not up to date on its Insight dashboard compared to competitors, but this impacts the digital experience. It is important for the team to continue working on this tool without disruption. So maybe this is an area for improvement to have a better Insight.

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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

"There are a lot of features I find valuable, but I think that the metamodel customization is one of the best features that the solution offers."

"We have seen ROI with this solution over the years that we have used it."

"The solution is pretty stable."

"The user interface is good. It's both clear and comprehensible. It's easy to work with."

"The solution's most valuable feature is ArchiMate which I use daily."

"We have found the technical support to be helpful."

Cons

"There needs to be more information at the outset about how to use the solution and how to deploy it. The deployment process needs improvement."

"This solution can be more user-friendly and easier to use, with better dashboards."

"The solution needs to better integrate with other products, like Microsoft."

"The reverse engineering of the database is already there, but in the next release I would like to see some pilot supplied with the solution in order to address any database."

"The user-friendliness could be even better."

"The solution should allow easier access with enhanced customization options for web page DHTML."

Pricing and Cost Advice

Information not available

"The solution's Ultimate Plan costs $399 per year."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Manufacturing Company

18%

Financial Services Firm

15%

Computer Software Company

10%

Government

No data available

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

No data available

Questions from the Community

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What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Sparx Pro Cloud Server?

We're paying 15 dollars per user per month for large teams, which is more expensive than the competition, but it has more features, such as cloud VPN and testing. There is no other cost apart from ...

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What needs improvement with Sparx Pro Cloud Server?

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What is your primary use case for Sparx Pro Cloud Server?

Firstly, we use this solution to enable collaboration among our international teams. Our applications are in the cloud, and most issues are on AWS. We have a central place to store and work on our ...

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Comparisons

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Compared 69% of the time

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Compared 13% of the time

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Compared 9% of the time

erwin Data Modeler by Quest vs IBM Rational System Architect

Compared 9% of the time

More IBM Rational System Architect Competitors

No data available

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Enterprise Architecture Management

March 2025

Download IBM Rational System Architect product report

Buyer's Guide

Enterprise Architecture Management

March 2025

Download Sparx Pro Cloud Server product report

Also Known As

Rational System Architect

No data available

Overview

IBM Rational System Architect is an enterprise architecture solution for visualizing, analyzing, and communicating enterprise architecture and business process analysis. This solution provides decision support, process optimization, and integration into solution delivery. Rational System Architect addresses all aspects of your organization's enterprise architecture, including modeling, publishing, analysis, and execution.

IBM

Share, review and inform

Pro Cloud Server opens your entire enterprise to your modeling efforts, enabling stakeholders to have secure access for discussion and review. WebEA, hosted on Pro Cloud Server, complements Enterprise Architect by providing a real-time view of project content, anywhere, anytime....

Sparx Systems

Sample Customers

Wuxi Lake Cloud, Nationwide, ETI, IDS Scheer

Information Not Available

Buyer's Guide

IBM Rational System Architect vs. Sparx Pro Cloud Server

April 2025

Free Report: IBM Rational System Architect vs. Sparx Pro Cloud Server

Find out what your peers are saying about IBM Rational System Architect vs. Sparx Pro Cloud Server and other solutions. Updated: April 2025.

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