Softwr

Maps & Navigation · head to head

CARTO vs ORBCOMM

C

CARTO

Maps & Navigation

Location Intelligence Platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
ORBCOMM logo

ORBCOMM

Maritime & Shipping

IoT solutions for maritime asset tracking

From
$25/month
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; ORBCOMM satellite latency of approximately 600 milliseconds limits real-time applications
  • They diverge on capability: CARTO covers Spatial Analysis, ORBCOMM covers Satellite tracking.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which CARTO and ORBCOMM actually diverge.

Attributes where CARTO and ORBCOMM differ
AttributeCARTOORBCOMM
Starting priceFree$25/month
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWebSatellite, Web
CategoryMaps & NavigationMaritime & Shipping
Founded20121995

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), user rating (Not yet rated).

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 ORBCOMM

  • Satellite tracking
  • Container monitoring
  • Cold chain monitoring
  • Fleet telematics
  • TMS systems
  • ERP platforms
  • Warehouse management
  • 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 ORBCOMM
  • Building interactive maps and location dashboardsnot ORBCOMM
  • Geocoding and routing through location data servicesnot ORBCOMM
  • Site selection and territory planningnot ORBCOMM
  • Self-hosted geospatial analytics for regulated environmentsnot ORBCOMM

ORBCOMM

No use cases recorded yet. See the ORBCOMM 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

ORBCOMM

  • Satellite latency of approximately 600 milliseconds limits real-time applications
  • Higher cost per message compared to terrestrial cellular IoT solutions
  • Coverage remains near-global rather than fully global in all remote regions

Pricing, plan by plan

CARTO

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

ORBCOMM

$25/month
  • Fleet Manager$99/month
    • Real-time tracking
    • Geofencing
    • Reporting

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 ORBCOMM if

  • You need satellite tracking.
  • You work on Satellite, Web.
  • You also want container monitoring.
ORBCOMM review

Questions people ask

Is CARTO or ORBCOMM better?
Neither clearly leads. CARTO starts at Free and ORBCOMM at $25/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, CARTO or ORBCOMM?
CARTO has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for CARTO and $25/month for ORBCOMM.
Does CARTO or ORBCOMM run on more platforms?
CARTO runs on Web. ORBCOMM runs on Satellite, Web.
Can I use CARTO for free?
Yes. CARTO has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. ORBCOMM starts at $25/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 ORBCOMM is typically brought in for.
What can CARTO do that ORBCOMM cannot?
CARTO covers Spatial Analysis, Interactive Maps, Data Observatory, Workflows. ORBCOMM covers Satellite tracking, Container monitoring, Cold chain monitoring, Fleet telematics. Both handle Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

ORBCOMM: What is ORBCOMM's satellite coverage?

ORBCOMM's OGx service provides nearly global coverage across over 160 countries using a constellation of low Earth orbit satellites for two-way messaging and IoT data services.

Source
ORBCOMM: How does satellite IoT compare to cellular connectivity?

ORBCOMM satellite offers immunity from cellular blind spots, network outages, congestion, and weather-related disruptions. However, satellite connectivity introduces approximately 600 milliseconds of round-trip latency.

Source
ORBCOMM: What can ORBCOMM monitor in containers?

ORBCOMM's CT 1010 device provides sensor-based monitoring for container fire detection, unauthorized access alerts, damage detection, and asset visibility, with real-time satellite-based tracking.

Source
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