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Maps & Navigation · head to head

CARTO vs Waze

C

CARTO

Maps & Navigation

Location Intelligence Platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Waze logo

Waze

Maps & Navigation

Community-driven GPS navigation app that uses real-time traffic data from its users

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; Waze no offline maps capability, requiring constant internet connectivity
  • They diverge on capability: CARTO covers Spatial Analysis, Waze covers Core Functionality.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which CARTO and Waze actually diverge.

Attributes where CARTO and Waze differ
AttributeCARTOWaze
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWebiOS, Android, Web
Founded20122008

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Maps & Navigation).

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 Waze

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

Waze

No use cases recorded yet. See the Waze 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

Waze

  • No offline maps capability, requiring constant internet connectivity
  • Routing reliability declined with reports of longer routes and restricted road directions
  • Privacy concerns with location data collection and location-based ads after Google acquisition
  • Stability issues including crashes on CarPlay and slow loading times

Pricing, plan by plan

CARTO

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

Waze

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Waze 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 Waze if

  • You need core functionality.
  • You work on iOS, Android, Web.
  • You also want user interface.
Waze review

Questions people ask

Is CARTO or Waze better?
Neither clearly leads. CARTO starts at Free and Waze at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, CARTO or Waze?
CARTO has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for CARTO and On request for Waze.
Does CARTO or Waze run on more platforms?
CARTO runs on Web. Waze runs on iOS, Android, Web.
Can I use CARTO for free?
Yes. CARTO has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Waze 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 Waze is typically brought in for.
What can CARTO do that Waze cannot?
CARTO covers Spatial Analysis, Interactive Maps, Data Observatory, Workflows. Waze covers Core Functionality, User Interface.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Waze: Does Waze work offline?

No, Waze relies on real-time data and does not support offline maps, limiting usability when without internet connectivity.

Source
Waze: How does Waze handle my location data?

Since Google's 2013 acquisition, Waze shares location history with Google's ad network and serves location-based ads. This differs from privacy-focused alternatives like Apple Maps.

Source
Waze: What platforms can I use Waze on?

Waze is available on iOS and Android mobile apps, and via web through the Live Map feature accessible from any computer or tablet.

Source
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Related pages

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