# CARTO, Global Mapper vs Surfer Comparison

| | CARTO | Global Mapper | Surfer | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Star Rating** | 4.5 out of 5 | 4.3 out of 5 | 4.6 out of 5 | 
| **Total Reviews** | 78 | 30 | 126 | 
| **Largest Market Segment** | Small-Business (48.4% of reviews) | Mid-Market (40.0% of reviews) | Small-Business (53.2% of reviews) | 
| **Entry Level Price** | Free Trial | Starting at $700.00 With One-Time Purchase | $599.00 1 License Per Year | 

---
## Top Pros & Cons

### CARTO

Pros:
- Ease of Use (3 reviews)
- Map Creation (3 reviews)

Cons:
- Big Data Issues (1 reviews)
- Customization Difficulty (1 reviews)

### Global Mapper

**Not enough data**

### Surfer

**Not enough data**

---
## Ratings Comparison
| Rating | CARTO | Global Mapper | Surfer | 
|---|---|---|---|
  | **Meets Requirements** | 8.6 (49 reviews) | 8.5 (26 reviews) | 8.6 (102 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Use** | 8.7 (50 reviews) | 7.8 (25 reviews) | 8.7 (106 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Setup** | 9.2 (22 reviews) | Not enough data | 9.1 (48 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Admin** | 8.3 (18 reviews) | Not enough data | 8.9 (47 reviews) | 
  | **Quality of Support** | 9.1 (47 reviews) | 8.2 (22 reviews) | 9.2 (90 reviews) | 
  | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | 8.8 (20 reviews) | Not enough data | 9.3 (45 reviews) | 
  | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 8.8 (50 reviews) | 7.4 (27 reviews) | 8.4 (107 reviews) | 

---
## Pricing

### CARTO

#### Entry-Level Pricing

Plan: ENTERPRISE - SMALL

Price: Free Trial

Description: For smaller teams looking for advanced spatial analytics with basic enterprise capabilities.

Key Features:
- Starts from 3 Editors 
- Starts from 15 Viewers
- 180.000 usage units per year 

[Browse all 3 editions](https://www.g2.com/products/carto/pricing)

#### Free Trial

Yes

### Global Mapper

#### Entry-Level Pricing

Plan: Global Mapper

Price: Starting at $700.00 With One-Time Purchase

Description: Perpetual license with annual Maintenance and Support

Key Features:
- Single User Node-Locked license
- Single User Floating license
- USB Dongle License

[Browse all 2 editions](https://www.g2.com/products/global-mapper/pricing)

#### Free Trial

Yes

### Surfer

#### Entry-Level Pricing

Plan: Surfer® single -user subscription

Price: $599.00 1 License Per Year

Description: Billed annually

Key Features:
- Access to the latest version of Surfer and Surfer Beta
- Free upgrades, updates, and fixes during the term of your subscription
- Access to Surfer on two personal devices

[Browse all 3 editions](https://www.g2.com/products/surfer/pricing)

#### Free Trial

Yes

---
## Features Comparison By Category

### Business Intelligence

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **CARTO** | N/A | N/A |
| **Global Mapper** | N/A | N/A |
| **Surfer** | N/A | N/A |

#### Reports

| Feature | CARTO | Global Mapper | Surfer | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Reports Interface** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Steps to Answer** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Graphs and Charts** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Score Cards** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Dashboards** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Self Service 

| Feature | CARTO | Global Mapper | Surfer | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Calculated Fields** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Column Filtering** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Discovery** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Search** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Collaboration / Workflow** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Automodeling** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Advanced Analytics

| Feature | CARTO | Global Mapper | Surfer | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Predictive Analytics** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Visualization** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Big Data Services** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Building Reports

| Feature | CARTO | Global Mapper | Surfer | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Data Transformation** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Modeling** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **WYSIWYG Report Design** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Integration APIs** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Platform

| Feature | CARTO | Global Mapper | Surfer | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Mobile User Support** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Customization ** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **User, Role, and Access Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Internationalization** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Sandbox / Test Environments** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Performance and Reliability** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Breadth of Partner Applications** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### GIS

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **CARTO** | N/A | N/A |
| **Global Mapper** | 8.2/10 | 5 |
| **Surfer** | 7.9/10 | 8 |

#### Data Management

| Feature | CARTO | Global Mapper | Surfer | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Data Capture** | Not enough data | 8.7 (5 reviews) | 7.8 (6 reviews) | 
| **Data Storage** | Not enough data | 8.3 (5 reviews) | 6.9 (6 reviews) | 
| **Data Manipulation** | Not enough data | 7.7 (5 reviews) | 6.7 (6 reviews) | 
| **Data Visualization** | Not enough data | 8.7 (5 reviews) | 9.0 (7 reviews) | 

#### Map Creation

| Feature | CARTO | Global Mapper | Surfer | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Geocoding** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 7.8 (6 reviews) | 
| **Buffer Zone Query** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 7.7 (5 reviews) | 
| **Overlaying** | Not enough data | 8.0 (5 reviews) | 7.9 (7 reviews) | 
| **Publishing** | Not enough data | 7.7 (5 reviews) | 8.6 (7 reviews) | 

#### Analysis

| Feature | CARTO | Global Mapper | Surfer | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Spatial Analysis** | Not enough data | 8.0 (5 reviews) | 8.5 (8 reviews) | 
| **Reporting ** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | 
| **Real-Time Streaming ** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | Feature Not Available | 

### Location Intelligence

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **CARTO** | 8.0/10 | 40 |
| **Global Mapper** | N/A | N/A |
| **Surfer** | N/A | N/A |

#### Cartography

| Feature | CARTO | Global Mapper | Surfer | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Map Design** | 8.5 (27 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Vector Mapping ** | 8.1 (27 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Visualization** | 8.1 (26 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Overlaying** | 8.6 (27 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Analysis

| Feature | CARTO | Global Mapper | Surfer | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Predictive Analysis** | 6.9 (18 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Distance Analysis ** | 7.8 (22 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Spatial Analysis** | 7.3 (22 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Stream** | 8.2 (19 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Reporting

| Feature | CARTO | Global Mapper | Surfer | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Data Transformation** | 7.8 (30 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **WYSIWYG Design** | 8.5 (23 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **API Integrations** | 8.0 (23 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### Geology and Seismic

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **CARTO** | N/A | N/A |
| **Global Mapper** | N/A | N/A |
| **Surfer** | N/A | N/A |

#### Agentic AI - Geology and Seismic

| Feature | CARTO | Global Mapper | Surfer | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Multi-step Planning** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Cross-system Integration** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Adaptive Learning** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Decision Making** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### Oil and Gas Engineering

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **CARTO** | N/A | N/A |
| **Global Mapper** | N/A | N/A |
| **Surfer** | N/A | N/A |

#### Agentic AI - Oil and Gas Engineering

| Feature | CARTO | Global Mapper | Surfer | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Autonomous Task Execution** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Multi-step Planning** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Cross-system Integration** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Adaptive Learning** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Decision Making** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### Oil and Gas Simulation and Modeling

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **CARTO** | N/A | N/A |
| **Global Mapper** | N/A | N/A |
| **Surfer** | N/A | N/A |

#### Agentic AI - Oil and Gas Simulation and Modeling

| Feature | CARTO | Global Mapper | Surfer | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Adaptive Learning** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Decision Making** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

---
## Categories
**Shared Categories (1):** [GIS Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/gis)

**Unique to CARTO (1):** [Location Intelligence Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/location-intelligence)

**Unique to Global Mapper (1):** [Drone Analytics Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/drone-analytics)

**Unique to Surfer (4):** [Mining Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/mining), [Oil and Gas Engineering Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/oil-and-gas-engineering), [Geology and Seismic Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/geology-and-seismic), [Oil and Gas Simulation and Modeling Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/oil-and-gas-simulation-and-modeling)


---
## Reviewer Demographics

### By Company Size

| Segment | CARTO | Global Mapper | Surfer | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Small-Business** | 48.4% | 33.3% | 53.2% | 
| **Mid-Market** | 18.8% | 40.0% | 25.8% | 
| **Enterprise** | 32.8% | 26.7% | 21.0% | 

### By Industry

#### CARTO

- **Telecommunications:** 12.5%
- **Higher Education:** 6.3%
- **Information Technology and Services:** 4.7%
- **Management Consulting:** 4.7%
- **Marketing and Advertising:** 4.7%
- **Non-Profit Organization Management:** 4.7%
- **Computer Software:** 4.7%
- **Real Estate:** 4.7%
- **Commercial Real Estate:** 3.1%
- **Civil Engineering:** 3.1%
- **Other:** 46.9%

#### Global Mapper

- **Oil & Energy:** 26.7%
- **Civil Engineering:** 23.3%
- **Information Technology and Services:** 6.7%
- **Environmental Services:** 6.7%
- **Wireless:** 3.3%
- **Utilities:** 3.3%
- **Telecommunications:** 3.3%
- **Renewables & Environment:** 3.3%
- **Mining & Metals:** 3.3%
- **Maritime:** 3.3%
- **Other:** 16.7%

#### Surfer

- **Environmental Services:** 29.0%
- **Oil & Energy:** 15.3%
- **Research:** 12.9%
- **Mining & Metals:** 11.3%
- **Civil Engineering:** 9.7%
- **Higher Education:** 4.0%
- **Construction:** 3.2%
- **Renewables & Environment:** 2.4%
- **Non-Profit Organization Management:** 2.4%
- **Government Administration:** 2.4%
- **Other:** 7.3%

---
## Alternatives

### Alternatives to CARTO

- [Esri ArcGIS](https://www.g2.com/products/esri-arcgis/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (539 reviews)
- [ArcGIS Online](https://www.g2.com/products/arcgis-online/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (190 reviews)
- [Mapbox](https://www.g2.com/products/mapbox/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (41 reviews)
- [Tableau](https://www.g2.com/products/tableau/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (3650 reviews)
- [Maptitude](https://www.g2.com/products/maptitude/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (148 reviews)
- [QGIS](https://www.g2.com/products/qgis/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (153 reviews)
- [Google Maps Platform](https://www.g2.com/products/google-maps-platform/reviews) — 4.8/5 stars (58 reviews)
- [Qlik Sense](https://www.g2.com/products/qlik-sense/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (928 reviews)
- [Alteryx](https://www.g2.com/products/alteryx/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (809 reviews)
- [Google Earth Pro](https://www.g2.com/products/google-earth-pro/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (383 reviews)

### Alternatives to Global Mapper

- [Esri ArcGIS](https://www.g2.com/products/esri-arcgis/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (539 reviews)
- [Google Earth Pro](https://www.g2.com/products/google-earth-pro/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (383 reviews)
- [QGIS](https://www.g2.com/products/qgis/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (153 reviews)
- [MapInfo Pro](https://www.g2.com/products/mapinfo-pro/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (120 reviews)
- [Maptitude](https://www.g2.com/products/maptitude/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (148 reviews)
- [ArcGIS Online](https://www.g2.com/products/arcgis-online/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (190 reviews)
- [BatchGeo](https://www.g2.com/products/batchgeo/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (1047 reviews)
- [AutoCAD](https://www.g2.com/products/autocad/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (1930 reviews)
- [Xactly](https://www.g2.com/products/xactly/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (1091 reviews)
- [Octave Imagine (ERDAS IMAGINE)](https://www.g2.com/products/octave-imagine-erdas-imagine/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (31 reviews)

### Alternatives to Surfer

- [Esri ArcGIS](https://www.g2.com/products/esri-arcgis/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (539 reviews)
- [GEOVIA Surpac](https://www.g2.com/products/geovia-surpac/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (23 reviews)
- [Petrel E&P Software Platform](https://www.g2.com/products/schlumberger-petrel-e-p-software-platform/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (17 reviews)
- [Google Earth Pro](https://www.g2.com/products/google-earth-pro/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (383 reviews)
- [QGIS](https://www.g2.com/products/qgis/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (153 reviews)
- [BatchGeo](https://www.g2.com/products/batchgeo/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (1047 reviews)
- [AutoCAD](https://www.g2.com/products/autocad/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (1930 reviews)
- [Xactly](https://www.g2.com/products/xactly/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (1091 reviews)
- [Badger Maps](https://www.g2.com/products/badger-maps/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (324 reviews)
- [Smarty](https://www.g2.com/products/smarty-smarty/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (316 reviews)

---
## Top Discussions

### CARTO

- Title: [What is CARTO used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-carto-used-for) — 1 comment *(includes official response)*
  > **Top comment:** "Comment deleted by user."
- Title: [how do i auto refresh my data?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/34112-how-do-i-auto-refresh-my-data) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "Hi,

CARTO enables sync tables to make sure that data stored in your CARTO account is up to date...."
- Title: [I missed the tableau beta test announcement -- Do you know when this integration will be available!?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/i-missed-the-tableau-beta-test-announcement-do-you-know-when-this-integration-will-be-available) — 1 comment, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "Hi Cynthia, 

We've closed that beta for now and the team is exploring feature options. If you're interested in getting an update on this once we have news..."

### Global Mapper

No discussions available for this product.

### Surfer

- Title: [How much does Surfer cost? Are there ongoing maintenance and support fees?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/surfer-pricing) — 2 comments, 1 upvote *(includes official response)*
  > **Top comment:** "A full license of Surfer costs $849US. Licenses are perpetual and have no ongoing maintenance and support fees. All maintenance updates are provided free of..."
- Title: [What technical resources are available to me?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/technical-resources) — 1 comment, 1 upvote *(includes official response)*
  > **Top comment:** "We take great pride in the quality of our technical support and have created many resources for you. 

Live support - Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm..."
- Title: [What license options are available?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/license-options) — 1 comment, 1 upvote *(includes official response)*
  > **Top comment:** "A single-user license grants one user the right to use the software license. For each single user license you purchase, you will receive a unique product..."
- Title: [Do you offer a trial version of Surfer?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/1827-do-you-offer-a-trial-version-of-surfer) — 1 comment, 1 upvote *(includes official response)*
  > **Top comment:** "A free Surfer demo is available via download from this URL: http://d6h5he89yy2it.cloudfront.net/demo/surferdemo.exe 

The demo is fully featured. You can..."

---
**Source:** [G2.com](https://www.g2.com) | [Comparison Page](https://www.g2.com/compare/carto-vs-global-mapper-vs-surfer)