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Software · head to head

CARTO vs Lloyd's List Intelligence

C

CARTO

Software

Location Intelligence Platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Lloyd's List Intelligence logo

Lloyd's List Intelligence

Software

Maritime data and analytics

From
$1000/month
Rated
-

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; Lloyd's List Intelligence enterprise-only pricing with no public rate card available
  • They diverge on capability: CARTO covers Spatial Analysis, Lloyd's List Intelligence covers Vessel database.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which CARTO and Lloyd's List Intelligence actually diverge.

Attributes where CARTO and Lloyd's List Intelligence differ
AttributeCARTOLloyd's List Intelligence
Starting priceFree$1000/month
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWebWeb, API
Founded20121734

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), 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 Lloyd's List Intelligence

  • Vessel database
  • Port intelligence
  • Ownership tracking
  • Market analysis
  • API
  • Data feeds
  • Analytics platforms
  • Api support

Both cover

  • Web support

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

Lloyd's List Intelligence

  • Trade finance compliance and risk assessmentnot CARTO
  • Counterparty and vessel due diligencenot CARTO
  • Voyage and shipping risk managementnot CARTO
  • Sanctions screening and trade-based money-laundering detectionnot CARTO
  • Commodity market intelligencenot 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

Lloyd's List Intelligence

  • Enterprise-only pricing with no public rate card available
  • Requires subscription and contract with minimal transparency on costs
  • Limited public documentation on specific data retention policies

Pricing, plan by plan

CARTO

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

Lloyd's List Intelligence

$1000/month
  • Professional$2500/month
    • Vessel database
    • Port intelligence
    • Ownership data

Which should you pick?

Choose CARTO if

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

Choose Lloyd's List Intelligence if

  • You need vessel database.
  • You work on Web, API.
  • You also want port intelligence.

Questions people ask

Is CARTO or Lloyd's List Intelligence better?
Neither clearly leads. CARTO starts at Free and Lloyd's List Intelligence at $1000/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, CARTO or Lloyd's List Intelligence?
CARTO has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for CARTO and $1000/month for Lloyd's List Intelligence.
Does CARTO or Lloyd's List Intelligence run on more platforms?
CARTO runs on Web. Lloyd's List Intelligence runs on Web, API.
Can I use CARTO for free?
Yes. CARTO has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Lloyd's List Intelligence starts at $1000/month.
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 Lloyd's List Intelligence is typically brought in for.
What can CARTO do that Lloyd's List Intelligence cannot?
CARTO covers Spatial Analysis, Interactive Maps, Data Observatory, Workflows. Lloyd's List Intelligence covers Vessel database, Port intelligence, Ownership tracking, Market analysis. Both handle Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Lloyd's List Intelligence: What real-time data does Lloyd's List Intelligence provide?

Lloyd's List Intelligence provides 100% fleet coverage with 200M+ daily vessel positions from real-time AIS data, Automatic Identification System (AIS) tracking, and vessel movement records across commercial fleets.

Source
Lloyd's List Intelligence: How accurate are Lloyd's List Intelligence predictions?

The platform's AI models predict destination with 70% accuracy, ETA to port within plus or minus 10 hours, and ETB within one to two hours for all commercial vessel types.

Source
Lloyd's List Intelligence: What AIS data sources does Lloyd's List Intelligence use?

Lloyd's List Intelligence combines terrestrial, shipborne, and satellite AIS data through their proprietary AIS SeaOrbis platform, launched in April 2025, validated by over 80 analysts.

Source

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