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Maps & Navigation · head to head

CARTO vs Google Maps Platform

C

CARTO

Maps & Navigation

Location Intelligence Platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Google Maps Platform logo

Google Maps Platform

Maps & Navigation

Comprehensive set of APIs and SDKs that allow developers to embed Google

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only CARTO has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: CARTO no prices are published; the committed tiers are all quote-only; Google Maps Platform free allowances are per service rather than pooled, at 10,000 events a month for dynamic maps, geocoding and autocomplete
  • They diverge on capability: CARTO covers Spatial Analysis, Google Maps Platform covers Core Functionality.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which CARTO and Google Maps Platform actually diverge.

Attributes where CARTO and Google Maps Platform differ
AttributeCARTOGoogle Maps Platform
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
Free tierYesNo
Founded20122005

Identical on both: platforms (Web), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Maps & Navigation).

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 CARTO

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

Only in Google Maps Platform

  • Core Functionality
  • User Interface

What people use each for

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

CARTO

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

Google Maps Platform

  • Embedding dynamic maps, Street View and photorealistic 3D tiles in an applicationnot CARTO
  • Route computation, navigation and fleet route optimisationnot CARTO
  • Geocoding, place autocomplete and address validationnot CARTO
  • Environmental data including weather, solar, air quality and pollennot CARTO
  • Geospatial analytics through Earth Enginenot CARTO

Where each one falls short

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

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

Google Maps Platform

  • Free allowances are per service rather than pooled, at 10,000 events a month for dynamic maps, geocoding and autocomplete
  • Dynamic Maps cost $7.00 per 1,000 calls at the entry tier
  • Geocoding and the Directions API both cost $5.00 per 1,000 calls at the entry tier
  • Pricing is tiered by volume, so the effective unit price depends on total monthly usage and is hard to predict in advance
  • Billing is usage based with no flat plan, so a traffic spike is a cost spike

Pricing, plan by plan

CARTO

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

Google Maps Platform

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Google Maps Platform review.

Which should you pick?

Choose CARTO if

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

Choose Google Maps Platform if

  • You need core functionality.
  • You also want user interface.
Google Maps Platform review

Questions people ask

Is CARTO or Google Maps Platform better?
Neither clearly leads. CARTO starts at Free and Google Maps Platform at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, CARTO or Google Maps Platform?
CARTO has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for CARTO and On request for Google Maps Platform.
Does CARTO or Google Maps Platform 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. Google Maps Platform starts at On request.
What is CARTO best used for?
CARTO is most often used for spatial analysis over data already in a cloud warehouse, building interactive maps and location dashboards, geocoding and routing through location data services, site selection and territory planning. Of those, spatial analysis over data already in a cloud warehouse and building interactive maps and location dashboards are not what Google Maps Platform is typically brought in for.
What can CARTO do that Google Maps Platform cannot?
CARTO covers Spatial Analysis, Interactive Maps, Data Observatory, Workflows. Google Maps Platform covers Core Functionality, User Interface.
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