Software · head to head
Bing Maps vs CARTO
Bing Maps
Software
Web mapping services with street maps, aerial imagery, and APIs for developers
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only CARTO has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Bing Maps bing Maps API keys are split into Basic (free-use, capped) and Enterprise (billable) tiers, and Spatial Data Services requests exceeding 1,000,000 per year are billable even when a session ID is used, per Microsoft's own developer documentation.; CARTO no prices are published; the committed tiers are all quote-only
- They diverge on capability: Bing Maps covers Core Functionality, CARTO covers Spatial Analysis.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Bing Maps and CARTO actually diverge.
Identical on both: platforms (Web), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
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 Bing Maps
- Core Functionality
- User Interface
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.
Bing Maps
No use cases recorded yet. See the Bing Maps review.
CARTO
- Spatial analysis over data already in a cloud warehousenot Bing Maps
- Building interactive maps and location dashboardsnot Bing Maps
- Geocoding and routing through location data servicesnot Bing Maps
- Site selection and territory planningnot Bing Maps
- Self-hosted geospatial analytics for regulated environmentsnot Bing Maps
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Bing Maps
- Bing Maps API keys are split into Basic (free-use, capped) and Enterprise (billable) tiers, and Spatial Data Services requests exceeding 1,000,000 per year are billable even when a session ID is used, per Microsoft's own developer documentation.
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
Bing Maps
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the Bing Maps review.
CARTO
Free- Professional$199/month
- Spatial Analysis
- Data Observatory
- Builder
Which should you pick?
Choose CARTO if
- You need spatial analysis.
- You want to start without paying.
- You also want interactive maps.
Questions people ask
- Is Bing Maps or CARTO better?
- Neither clearly leads. Bing Maps 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, Bing Maps or CARTO?
- CARTO has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Bing Maps and Free for CARTO.
- Does Bing Maps or CARTO run on more platforms?
- Both run on Web, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
- Can I use CARTO for free?
- Yes. CARTO has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Bing Maps starts at On request.
- What can Bing Maps do that CARTO cannot?
- Bing Maps covers Core Functionality, User Interface. CARTO covers Spatial Analysis, Interactive Maps, Data Observatory, Workflows.