Software · head to head
OSRM vs CARTO
O
OSRM
Software
High-performance open-source routing engine designed for OpenStreetMap data, providing fast route calculations
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only CARTO has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: OSRM free and open source routing engine under the 2-clause BSD license, no commercial tier; CARTO no prices are published; the committed tiers are all quote-only
- They diverge on capability: OSRM covers Core Functionality, CARTO covers Spatial Analysis.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which OSRM and CARTO actually diverge.
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 OSRM
- 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.
OSRM
No use cases recorded yet. See the OSRM review.
CARTO
- Spatial analysis over data already in a cloud warehousenot OSRM
- Building interactive maps and location dashboardsnot OSRM
- Geocoding and routing through location data servicesnot OSRM
- Site selection and territory planningnot OSRM
- Self-hosted geospatial analytics for regulated environmentsnot OSRM
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
OSRM
- Free and open source routing engine under the 2-clause BSD license, no commercial tier
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
OSRM
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the OSRM review.
CARTO
Free- Professional$199/month
- Spatial Analysis
- Data Observatory
- Builder
Which should you pick?
Choose CARTO if
- You need spatial analysis.
- You want to start without paying.
- You also want interactive maps.
Questions people ask
- Is OSRM or CARTO better?
- Neither clearly leads. OSRM 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, OSRM or CARTO?
- CARTO has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for OSRM and Free for CARTO.
- Does OSRM 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. OSRM starts at On request.
- What can OSRM do that CARTO cannot?
- OSRM covers Core Functionality, User Interface. CARTO covers Spatial Analysis, Interactive Maps, Data Observatory, Workflows.