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Google Maps Platform vs CARTO

Google Maps Platform logo

Google Maps Platform

Software

Comprehensive set of APIs and SDKs that allow developers to embed Google

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
C

CARTO

Software

Location Intelligence Platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only CARTO has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Google Maps Platform free allowances are per service rather than pooled, at 10,000 events a month for dynamic maps, geocoding and autocomplete; CARTO no prices are published; the committed tiers are all quote-only
  • They diverge on capability: Google Maps Platform covers Core Functionality, CARTO covers Spatial Analysis.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Google Maps Platform and CARTO actually diverge.

Attributes where Google Maps Platform and CARTO differ
AttributeGoogle Maps PlatformCARTO
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Free tierNoYes
Founded20052012

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 Google Maps Platform

  • Core Functionality
  • User Interface

Only in CARTO

  • Spatial Analysis
  • Interactive Maps
  • Data Observatory
  • Workflows
  • APIs
  • Snowflake
  • BigQuery
  • PostgreSQL

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Google Maps Platform

  • Embedding dynamic maps, Street View and photorealistic 3D tiles in an applicationnot CARTO
  • Route computation, navigation and fleet route optimisationnot CARTO
  • Geocoding, place autocomplete and address validationnot CARTO
  • Environmental data including weather, solar, air quality and pollennot CARTO
  • Geospatial analytics through Earth Enginenot CARTO

CARTO

  • Spatial analysis over data already in a cloud warehousenot Google Maps Platform
  • Building interactive maps and location dashboardsnot Google Maps Platform
  • Geocoding and routing through location data servicesnot Google Maps Platform
  • Site selection and territory planningnot Google Maps Platform
  • Self-hosted geospatial analytics for regulated environmentsnot Google Maps Platform

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Google Maps Platform

  • Free allowances are per service rather than pooled, at 10,000 events a month for dynamic maps, geocoding and autocomplete
  • Dynamic Maps cost $7.00 per 1,000 calls at the entry tier
  • Geocoding and the Directions API both cost $5.00 per 1,000 calls at the entry tier
  • Pricing is tiered by volume, so the effective unit price depends on total monthly usage and is hard to predict in advance
  • Billing is usage based with no flat plan, so a traffic spike is a cost spike

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

Pricing, plan by plan

Google Maps Platform

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Google Maps Platform review.

CARTO

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

Which should you pick?

Choose Google Maps Platform if

  • You need core functionality.
  • You also want user interface.
Google Maps Platform review

Choose CARTO if

  • You need spatial analysis.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want interactive maps.
CARTO review

Questions people ask

Is Google Maps Platform or CARTO better?
Neither clearly leads. Google Maps Platform starts at On request and CARTO at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Google Maps Platform or CARTO?
CARTO has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Google Maps Platform and Free for CARTO.
Does Google Maps Platform or CARTO 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. Google Maps Platform starts at On request.
What is Google Maps Platform best used for?
Google Maps Platform is most often used for embedding dynamic maps, street view and photorealistic 3d tiles in an application, route computation, navigation and fleet route optimisation, geocoding, place autocomplete and address validation, environmental data including weather, solar, air quality and pollen. Of those, embedding dynamic maps, street view and photorealistic 3d tiles in an application and route computation, navigation and fleet route optimisation are not what CARTO is typically brought in for.
What can Google Maps Platform do that CARTO cannot?
Google Maps Platform covers Core Functionality, User Interface. CARTO covers Spatial Analysis, Interactive Maps, Data Observatory, Workflows.
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