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Software · head to head

CARTO vs GraphHopper

C

CARTO

Software

Location Intelligence Platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
GraphHopper logo

GraphHopper

Software

Open-source routing engine for road networks, providing fast route calculations, turn-by-turn navigation

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; GraphHopper the free plan is non commercial use only
  • They diverge on capability: CARTO covers Spatial Analysis, GraphHopper covers Core Functionality.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which CARTO and GraphHopper actually diverge.

Attributes where CARTO and GraphHopper differ
AttributeCARTOGraphHopper
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
Free tierYesNo
Founded2012Unknown

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 CARTO

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

Only in GraphHopper

  • 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 GraphHopper
  • Building interactive maps and location dashboardsnot GraphHopper
  • Geocoding and routing through location data servicesnot GraphHopper
  • Site selection and territory planningnot GraphHopper
  • Self-hosted geospatial analytics for regulated environmentsnot GraphHopper

GraphHopper

  • Routing, distance matrix and route optimisation over an APInot CARTO
  • Map matching GPS traces and generating isochronesnot 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

GraphHopper

  • The free plan is non commercial use only
  • Free allows 500 credits a day, 5 locations per request and a single vehicle
  • Request complexity is capped per plan, at 30 locations and 2 vehicles on Basic at 69 EUR a month, rising to 200 locations and 20 vehicles on Premium at 479 EUR
  • Isochrone range is limited by plan, at 15 minutes on Basic and 30 on Premium
  • Credits are a daily allowance, so a busy day cannot draw on a quiet one

Pricing, plan by plan

CARTO

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

GraphHopper

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the GraphHopper 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 GraphHopper if

  • You need core functionality.
  • You also want user interface.
GraphHopper review

Questions people ask

Is CARTO or GraphHopper better?
Neither clearly leads. CARTO starts at Free and GraphHopper at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, CARTO or GraphHopper?
CARTO has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for CARTO and On request for GraphHopper.
Does CARTO or GraphHopper 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. GraphHopper 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 GraphHopper is typically brought in for.
What can CARTO do that GraphHopper cannot?
CARTO covers Spatial Analysis, Interactive Maps, Data Observatory, Workflows. GraphHopper covers Core Functionality, User Interface.
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