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Waze vs CARTO

Waze logo

Waze

Software

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

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: Waze no offline maps capability, requiring constant internet connectivity; CARTO no prices are published; the committed tiers are all quote-only
  • They diverge on capability: Waze covers Core Functionality, CARTO covers Spatial Analysis.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Waze and CARTO actually diverge.

Attributes where Waze and CARTO differ
AttributeWazeCARTO
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsiOS, Android, WebWeb
Founded20082012

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 Waze

  • 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.

Waze

No use cases recorded yet. See the Waze review.

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

Where each one falls short

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

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

Waze

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Waze review.

CARTO

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

Which should you pick?

Choose Waze if

  • You need core functionality.
  • You work on iOS, Android, Web.
  • You also want user interface.
Waze 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 Waze or CARTO better?
Neither clearly leads. Waze 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, Waze or CARTO?
CARTO has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Waze and Free for CARTO.
Does Waze or CARTO run on more platforms?
Waze runs on iOS, Android, Web. CARTO runs on 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 can Waze do that CARTO cannot?
Waze covers Core Functionality, User Interface. CARTO covers Spatial Analysis, Interactive Maps, Data Observatory, Workflows.

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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