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Software · head to head

CARTO vs HERE Technologies

C

CARTO

Software

Location Intelligence Platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
HERE Technologies logo

HERE Technologies

Software

Location data and technology company that provides mapping and location services to businesses globally

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: CARTO no prices are published; the committed tiers are all quote-only; HERE Technologies pricing is complex and unpredictable, with additional fees for common functionalities creating surprise costs at scale
  • They diverge on capability: CARTO covers Spatial Analysis, HERE Technologies covers Core Functionality.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which CARTO and HERE Technologies actually diverge.

Attributes where CARTO and HERE Technologies differ
AttributeCARTOHERE Technologies
Pricing modelsubscriptionUnknown
PlatformsWebWeb, iOS, Android, Cross-platform
Founded20121985

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 HERE Technologies

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

HERE Technologies

  • Map data for automated and assisted drivingnot CARTO
  • Connected driving, including hazard alerts and road surface analysisnot CARTO
  • Supply chain planning and logistics digital twinsnot CARTO
  • Geocoding, search and map rendering through hosted location servicesnot CARTO
  • Fleet tour planning and routing across 200 countriesnot 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

HERE Technologies

  • Pricing is complex and unpredictable, with additional fees for common functionalities creating surprise costs at scale
  • Lack of transparency in cost projections makes budgeting and forecasting difficult
  • Requires separate API keys and subscriptions for different feature categories, complicating integration
  • Customer support quality and responsiveness is inconsistent compared to competitors like Google Maps

Pricing, plan by plan

CARTO

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

HERE Technologies

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the HERE Technologies 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 HERE Technologies if

  • You need core functionality.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android, Cross-platform.
  • You also want user interface.
HERE Technologies review

Questions people ask

Is CARTO or HERE Technologies better?
Neither clearly leads. CARTO starts at Free and HERE Technologies at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, CARTO or HERE Technologies?
CARTO starts at Free and HERE Technologies at Free.
Does CARTO or HERE Technologies run on more platforms?
CARTO runs on Web. HERE Technologies runs on Web, iOS, Android, Cross-platform.
Can I use CARTO for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
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 HERE Technologies is typically brought in for.
What can CARTO do that HERE Technologies cannot?
CARTO covers Spatial Analysis, Interactive Maps, Data Observatory, Workflows. HERE Technologies covers Core Functionality, User Interface.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

HERE Technologies: What does HERE Technologies provide?

HERE Technologies provides a comprehensive location platform including digital maps, routing and navigation APIs, geocoding, search, traffic, positioning, and telematics services for automotive, logistics, and enterprise applications.

Source
HERE Technologies: Does HERE offer a free tier?

Yes. HERE provides a free tier with 30,000 map requests per month, 5,000 routing transactions, and 30,000 geocoding transactions. Usage beyond these limits is charged on a pay-as-you-go basis.

Source
HERE Technologies: What SDKs and APIs does HERE offer?

HERE provides REST APIs for maps, routing, geocoding, and search, plus SDKs for Android, iOS, Flutter, and JavaScript. The HERE SDK enables turn-by-turn navigation and location services for mobile and web applications.

Source
HERE Technologies: Is HERE's pricing transparent?

No. HERE uses a complex transaction-based pricing model with separate costs for different API categories. The pricing structure lacks transparency, making it difficult for customers to forecast costs at scale.

Source
HERE Technologies: How has HERE's pricing changed?

HERE moved to a simplified transaction-based pricing model with free monthly allowances for common APIs. Users pay per transaction beyond the free tier, though the structure has been criticized for complexity and lack of cost transparency.

Source
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