Softwr

Software · head to head

CARTO vs MapQuest

C

CARTO

Software

Location Intelligence Platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
M

MapQuest

Software

Free driving directions, live traffic updates, and road conditions for trip planning and 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; MapQuest subscription tiers cost more per transaction than the pay as you go rate at low volume, since $119 a month for 30,000 transactions is roughly $0.004 each against $0.0045 on demand
  • They diverge on capability: CARTO covers Spatial Analysis, MapQuest covers Core Functionality.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which CARTO and MapQuest actually diverge.

Attributes where CARTO and MapQuest differ
AttributeCARTOMapQuest
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 MapQuest

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

MapQuest

  • Geocoding, routing and static maps over an APInot CARTO
  • Adding directions and place search to an applicationnot 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

MapQuest

  • Subscription tiers cost more per transaction than the pay as you go rate at low volume, since $119 a month for 30,000 transactions is roughly $0.004 each against $0.0045 on demand
  • The 50,000 free pay as you go transactions are described as available for a limited time rather than as a standing allowance
  • Plan allowances are monthly and do not carry over
  • Enterprise volume is custom priced

Pricing, plan by plan

CARTO

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

MapQuest

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the MapQuest 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 MapQuest if

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

Questions people ask

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

Related pages

More on CARTO

More on MapQuest

Keep looking

Other head to heads