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Mining & Resources · head to head

3DEC vs CARTO

3

3DEC

Mining & Resources

3D distinct element code for underground mining

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
C

CARTO

Maps & Navigation

Location Intelligence Platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only CARTO has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: 3DEC pricing is not published; licences are quoted, with subscription and perpetual options; CARTO no prices are published; the committed tiers are all quote-only
  • They diverge on capability: 3DEC covers 3D distinct element analysis, CARTO covers Spatial Analysis.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which 3DEC and CARTO actually diverge.

Attributes where 3DEC and CARTO differ
Attribute3DECCARTO
Starting priceOn requestFree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindows, LinuxWeb
CategoryMining & ResourcesMaps & Navigation
Founded19812012

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in 3DEC

  • 3D distinct element analysis
  • Block motion tracking
  • Contact detection
  • Support design
  • Dynamic simulation
  • FLAC3D
  • Leapfrog
  • Vulcan

Only in CARTO

  • Spatial Analysis
  • Interactive Maps
  • Data Observatory
  • Workflows
  • APIs
  • Snowflake
  • BigQuery
  • PostgreSQL

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

3DEC

  • Three-dimensional analysis of jointed rock and discontinuous materialsnot CARTO
  • Slope stability and pillar analysis for miningnot CARTO
  • Blast and earthquake dynamic analysisnot CARTO
  • Groundwater flow through fractured rocknot CARTO
  • Coupled thermal, mechanical and hydraulic modelling for geothermal, CO2 sequestration and nuclear wastenot CARTO

CARTO

  • Spatial analysis over data already in a cloud warehousenot 3DEC
  • Building interactive maps and location dashboardsnot 3DEC
  • Geocoding and routing through location data servicesnot 3DEC
  • Site selection and territory planningnot 3DEC
  • Self-hosted geospatial analytics for regulated environmentsnot 3DEC

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

3DEC

  • Pricing is not published; licences are quoted, with subscription and perpetual options
  • A specialist geomechanical tool rather than general purpose simulation, so it assumes the user is a rock mechanics engineer

CARTO

  • No prices are published; the committed tiers are all quote-only
  • Metered on four separate axes: workflow runs, map loads, API calls and location data service operations
  • API access and tokens are limited on pay-as-you-go and unlimited only from the Strategic tier
  • Self-hosting is available on Enterprise and included only on the Custom tier
  • The 14 day trial explicitly forbids production use

Pricing, plan by plan

3DEC

On request
  • 3DEC Professional$25000/year
    • 3D distinct element analysis
    • Block-to-block interaction
    • Support installation modeling

CARTO

Free
  • Professional$199/month
    • Spatial Analysis
    • Data Observatory
    • Builder

Which should you pick?

Choose 3DEC if

  • You need 3d distinct element analysis.
  • You work on Windows, Linux.
  • You also want block motion tracking.
3DEC review

Choose CARTO if

  • You need spatial analysis.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want interactive maps.
CARTO review

Questions people ask

Is 3DEC or CARTO better?
Neither clearly leads. 3DEC starts at On request and CARTO at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, 3DEC or CARTO?
CARTO has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for 3DEC and Free for CARTO.
Does 3DEC or CARTO run on more platforms?
3DEC runs on Windows, Linux. CARTO runs on Web.
Can I use CARTO for free?
Yes. CARTO has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. 3DEC starts at On request.
What is 3DEC best used for?
3DEC is most often used for three-dimensional analysis of jointed rock and discontinuous materials, slope stability and pillar analysis for mining, blast and earthquake dynamic analysis, groundwater flow through fractured rock. Of those, three-dimensional analysis of jointed rock and discontinuous materials and slope stability and pillar analysis for mining are not what CARTO is typically brought in for.
What can 3DEC do that CARTO cannot?
3DEC covers 3D distinct element analysis, Block motion tracking, Contact detection, Support design. CARTO covers Spatial Analysis, Interactive Maps, Data Observatory, Workflows.
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