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Maps & Navigation · head to head

Nominatim vs CARTO

Nominatim logo

Nominatim

Maps & Navigation

Open-source geocoding tool for OpenStreetMap data, providing address search and reverse geocoding capabilities

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
C

CARTO

Maps & Navigation

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: Nominatim the public API allows an absolute maximum of 1 request per second; CARTO no prices are published; the committed tiers are all quote-only
  • They diverge on capability: Nominatim covers Core Functionality, CARTO covers Spatial Analysis.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Nominatim and CARTO actually diverge.

Attributes where Nominatim and CARTO differ
AttributeNominatimCARTO
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Free tierNoYes
FoundedUnknown2012

Identical on both: platforms (Web), 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 Nominatim

  • 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.

Nominatim

  • Geocoding addresses to coordinates from OpenStreetMap datanot CARTO
  • Reverse geocoding coordinates to a place namenot CARTO
  • Self hosting a geocoder over an OSM extractnot CARTO

CARTO

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

Where each one falls short

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

Nominatim

  • The public API allows an absolute maximum of 1 request per second
  • Bulk geocoding must run in a single thread and cannot be distributed across machines
  • Scripts running longer than a day or on a schedule are limited to 4 requests per minute
  • Autocomplete search against the public API is explicitly prohibited
  • Systematic queries such as grid based reverse lookups and complete data downloads are prohibited
  • Reselling geocoding results or acting as an API intermediary is prohibited
  • Every request must send a valid HTTP Referer or User-Agent identifying the application, and default library headers are rejected
  • Results must be cached client side, and repeated identical queries can lead to blocking
  • Attribution to OpenStreetMap under ODbL must be displayed

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

Nominatim

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Nominatim review.

CARTO

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

Which should you pick?

Choose Nominatim if

  • You need core functionality.
  • You also want user interface.
Nominatim 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 Nominatim or CARTO better?
Neither clearly leads. Nominatim 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, Nominatim or CARTO?
CARTO has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Nominatim and Free for CARTO.
Does Nominatim 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. Nominatim starts at On request.
What is Nominatim best used for?
Nominatim is most often used for geocoding addresses to coordinates from openstreetmap data, reverse geocoding coordinates to a place name, self hosting a geocoder over an osm extract. Of those, geocoding addresses to coordinates from openstreetmap data and reverse geocoding coordinates to a place name are not what CARTO is typically brought in for.
What can Nominatim do that CARTO cannot?
Nominatim covers Core Functionality, User Interface. CARTO covers Spatial Analysis, Interactive Maps, Data Observatory, Workflows.
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