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Software · head to head

CARTO vs OpenRouteService

C

CARTO

Software

Location Intelligence Platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
OpenRouteService logo

OpenRouteService

Software

Open-source routing, geocoding, and isochrone APIs based on OpenStreetMap data for developers and enterprises

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; OpenRouteService free tier is limited to 500 Isochrones requests per day
  • They diverge on capability: CARTO covers Spatial Analysis, OpenRouteService covers Core Functionality.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which CARTO and OpenRouteService actually diverge.

Attributes where CARTO and OpenRouteService differ
AttributeCARTOOpenRouteService
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 OpenRouteService

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

OpenRouteService

No use cases recorded yet. See the OpenRouteService review.

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

OpenRouteService

  • Free tier is limited to 500 Isochrones requests per day

Pricing, plan by plan

CARTO

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

OpenRouteService

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the OpenRouteService 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 OpenRouteService if

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

Questions people ask

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