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Software · head to head

QGIS vs CARTO

Q

QGIS

Software

Free, open-source desktop GIS application that supports viewing, editing, and analysis of

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: QGIS requires technical knowledge to use effectively for advanced GIS analysis; CARTO no prices are published; the committed tiers are all quote-only
  • They diverge on capability: QGIS covers Core Functionality, CARTO covers Spatial Analysis.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which QGIS and CARTO actually diverge.

Attributes where QGIS and CARTO differ
AttributeQGISCARTO
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindows, macOS, LinuxWeb
FoundedUnknown2012

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 QGIS

  • 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.

QGIS

No use cases recorded yet. See the QGIS review.

CARTO

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

Where each one falls short

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

QGIS

  • Requires technical knowledge to use effectively for advanced GIS analysis
  • Desktop application does not include built-in web publishing capabilities

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

QGIS

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the QGIS review.

CARTO

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

Which should you pick?

Choose QGIS if

  • You need core functionality.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, Linux.
  • You also want user interface.
QGIS 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 QGIS or CARTO better?
Neither clearly leads. QGIS 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, QGIS or CARTO?
CARTO has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for QGIS and Free for CARTO.
Does QGIS or CARTO run on more platforms?
QGIS runs on Windows, macOS, Linux. CARTO runs on Web.
Can I use CARTO for free?
Yes. CARTO has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. QGIS starts at On request.
What can QGIS do that CARTO cannot?
QGIS covers Core Functionality, User Interface. CARTO covers Spatial Analysis, Interactive Maps, Data Observatory, Workflows.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

QGIS: Is QGIS free and open source?

Yes. QGIS is free and open-source software, licensed under the GNU General Public License, available for download and modification by anyone.

Source
QGIS: What operating systems does QGIS support?

QGIS runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, with installers available for each platform.

Source
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Related pages

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