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Software · head to head

CARTO vs Sea Machines

C

CARTO

Software

Location Intelligence Platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Sea Machines logo

Sea Machines

Software

Autonomous vessel control systems

From
$50000/one-time
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; Sea Machines requires hardware fitted to the vessel; the autonomy systems are retrofits or new build installations rather than a software purchase
  • They diverge on capability: CARTO covers Spatial Analysis, Sea Machines covers Autonomous control.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which CARTO and Sea Machines actually diverge.

Attributes where CARTO and Sea Machines differ
AttributeCARTOSea Machines
Starting priceFree$50000/one-time
Pricing modelsubscriptionone-time
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWebEmbedded, Web, Mobile
Founded20122015

Identical on both: 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 Sea Machines

  • Autonomous control
  • Remote operation
  • Collision avoidance
  • Pattern following
  • Vessel systems
  • Communication networks
  • Shore-based control
  • Embedded 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 Sea Machines
  • Building interactive maps and location dashboardsnot Sea Machines
  • Geocoding and routing through location data servicesnot Sea Machines
  • Site selection and territory planningnot Sea Machines
  • Self-hosted geospatial analytics for regulated environmentsnot Sea Machines

Sea Machines

  • Intelligent voyage and transit autonomy for workboatsnot CARTO
  • Pattern autonomy for survey and repetitive route worknot CARTO
  • Collision avoidance using the AI-ris computer vision sensornot CARTO
  • Remote command and control of vessels, including in GPS denied environmentsnot CARTO
  • Fleet management and telemetry through Fleetviewer and the SMLINK APIsnot 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

Sea Machines

  • Requires hardware fitted to the vessel; the autonomy systems are retrofits or new build installations rather than a software purchase
  • Targeted at vessels from 10 to 300 ft, so it does not address the largest commercial tonnage
  • Pricing is not published and is arranged directly with the vendor
  • The SM300-NG is the class-approved unit, so the cheaper SM300-SP does not carry the same approval

Pricing, plan by plan

CARTO

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

Sea Machines

$50000/one-time
  • SM300$75000/one-time
    • Autonomous control
    • Collision avoidance
    • Remote operation

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 Sea Machines if

  • You need autonomous control.
  • You work on Embedded, Web, Mobile.
  • You also want remote operation.
Sea Machines review

Questions people ask

Is CARTO or Sea Machines better?
Neither clearly leads. CARTO starts at Free and Sea Machines at $50000/one-time, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, CARTO or Sea Machines?
CARTO has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for CARTO and $50000/one-time for Sea Machines.
Does CARTO or Sea Machines run on more platforms?
CARTO runs on Web. Sea Machines runs on Embedded, Web, Mobile.
Can I use CARTO for free?
Yes. CARTO has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Sea Machines starts at $50000/one-time.
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 Sea Machines is typically brought in for.
What can CARTO do that Sea Machines cannot?
CARTO covers Spatial Analysis, Interactive Maps, Data Observatory, Workflows. Sea Machines covers Autonomous control, Remote operation, Collision avoidance, Pattern following. Both handle Web support.
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