# CARTO vs Google Maps Platform Comparison

| | CARTO | Google Maps Platform | 
|---|---|---|
| **Star Rating** | 4.5 out of 5 | 4.8 out of 5 | 
| **Total Reviews** | 78 | 58 | 
| **Largest Market Segment** | Small-Business (48.4% of reviews) | Small-Business (57.1% of reviews) | 
| **Entry Level Price** | Free Trial | No pricing available | 

---
## Top Pros & Cons

### CARTO

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

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

### Google Maps Platform

Pros:
- Ease of Use (15 reviews)
- Location Services (14 reviews)

Cons:
- Mapping Issues (4 reviews)
- Accuracy Issues (3 reviews)

---
## Ratings Comparison
| Rating | CARTO | Google Maps Platform | 
|---|---|---|
  | **Meets Requirements** | 8.6 (49 reviews) | 9.6 (50 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Use** | 8.7 (50 reviews) | 9.3 (55 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Setup** | 9.2 (22 reviews) | 9.1 (46 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Admin** | 8.3 (18 reviews) | 8.4 (15 reviews) | 
  | **Quality of Support** | 9.1 (47 reviews) | 8.9 (44 reviews) | 
  | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | 8.8 (20 reviews) | 8.3 (13 reviews) | 
  | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 8.8 (50 reviews) | 8.8 (49 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

### Google Maps Platform

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

No information available

---
## Features Comparison By Category

### Business Intelligence

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **CARTO** | N/A | N/A |
| **Google Maps Platform** | N/A | N/A |

#### Reports

| Feature | CARTO | Google Maps Platform | 
|---|---|---|
| **Reports Interface** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Steps to Answer** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Graphs and Charts** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Score Cards** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Dashboards** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Self Service 

| Feature | CARTO | Google Maps Platform | 
|---|---|---|
| **Calculated Fields** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Column Filtering** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Discovery** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Search** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Collaboration / Workflow** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Automodeling** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Advanced Analytics

| Feature | CARTO | Google Maps Platform | 
|---|---|---|
| **Predictive Analytics** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Visualization** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Big Data Services** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Building Reports

| Feature | CARTO | Google Maps Platform | 
|---|---|---|
| **Data Transformation** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Modeling** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **WYSIWYG Report Design** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Integration APIs** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Platform

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

### GIS

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **CARTO** | N/A | N/A |
| **Google Maps Platform** | 9.1/10 | 24 |

#### Data Management

| Feature | CARTO | Google Maps Platform | 
|---|---|---|
| **Data Capture** | Not enough data | 9.1 (17 reviews) | 
| **Data Storage** | Not enough data | 9.2 (16 reviews) | 
| **Data Manipulation** | Not enough data | 9.0 (16 reviews) | 
| **Data Visualization** | Not enough data | 9.3 (19 reviews) | 

#### Map Creation

| Feature | CARTO | Google Maps Platform | 
|---|---|---|
| **Geocoding** | Not enough data | 9.4 (19 reviews) | 
| **Buffer Zone Query** | Not enough data | 8.9 (14 reviews) | 
| **Overlaying** | Not enough data | 9.0 (14 reviews) | 
| **Publishing** | Not enough data | 9.0 (16 reviews) | 

#### Analysis

| Feature | CARTO | Google Maps Platform | 
|---|---|---|
| **Spatial Analysis** | Not enough data | 8.9 (15 reviews) | 
| **Reporting ** | Not enough data | 9.2 (16 reviews) | 
| **Real-Time Streaming ** | Not enough data | 9.3 (18 reviews) | 

### Location Intelligence

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **CARTO** | 8.0/10 | 40 |
| **Google Maps Platform** | 9.4/10 | 18 |

#### Cartography

| Feature | CARTO | Google Maps Platform | 
|---|---|---|
| **Map Design** | 8.5 (27 reviews) | 10.0 (16 reviews) | 
| **Vector Mapping ** | 8.1 (27 reviews) | 9.9 (16 reviews) | 
| **Data Visualization** | 8.1 (26 reviews) | 9.7 (16 reviews) | 
| **Overlaying** | 8.6 (27 reviews) | 9.4 (16 reviews) | 

#### Analysis

| Feature | CARTO | Google Maps Platform | 
|---|---|---|
| **Predictive Analysis** | 6.9 (18 reviews) | 9.3 (15 reviews) | 
| **Distance Analysis ** | 7.8 (22 reviews) | 9.4 (17 reviews) | 
| **Spatial Analysis** | 7.3 (22 reviews) | 9.3 (15 reviews) | 
| **Data Stream** | 8.2 (19 reviews) | 9.0 (15 reviews) | 

#### Reporting

| Feature | CARTO | Google Maps Platform | 
|---|---|---|
| **Data Transformation** | 7.8 (30 reviews) | 9.3 (14 reviews) | 
| **WYSIWYG Design** | 8.5 (23 reviews) | 9.2 (14 reviews) | 
| **API Integrations** | 8.0 (23 reviews) | 9.0 (15 reviews) | 

### Geofencing

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **CARTO** | N/A | N/A |
| **Google Maps Platform** | 10.0/10 | 5 |

#### Functionality 

| Feature | CARTO | Google Maps Platform | 
|---|---|---|
| **Integration** | Not enough data | 10.0 (5 reviews) | 
| **Location Tracking** | Not enough data | 10.0 (5 reviews) | 
| **Location Triggers** | Not enough data | 10.0 (5 reviews) | 
| **Location Determination** | Not enough data | 10.0 (5 reviews) | 

#### Management

| Feature | CARTO | Google Maps Platform | 
|---|---|---|
| **Fence Drawing** | Not enough data | 10.0 (5 reviews) | 
| **Compliance** | Not enough data | 10.0 (5 reviews) | 
| **Analytics** | Not enough data | 10.0 (5 reviews) | 
| **International Usability** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### Location Platform

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **CARTO** | N/A | N/A |
| **Google Maps Platform** | 9.5/10 | 24 |

#### Location Intelligence

| Feature | CARTO | Google Maps Platform | 
|---|---|---|
| **Store Locators** | Not enough data | 9.4 (20 reviews) | 
| **Location Fraud Detection** | Not enough data | 9.4 (18 reviews) | 
| **Location Verification** | Not enough data | 9.5 (19 reviews) | 
| **In-App Location Based Experiences** | Not enough data | 9.6 (19 reviews) | 
| **Location-Based Marketing** | Not enough data | 9.6 (17 reviews) | 

#### Transportation

| Feature | CARTO | Google Maps Platform | 
|---|---|---|
| **Curbside Operations** | Not enough data | 9.4 (18 reviews) | 
| **Fleet Tracking & Logistics Management** | Not enough data | 9.7 (19 reviews) | 
| **Delivery Services** | Not enough data | 9.6 (19 reviews) | 
| **Order-Ahead & Pickup** | Not enough data | 9.4 (19 reviews) | 
| **Workforce Management** | Not enough data | 9.4 (18 reviews) | 

---
## Categories
**Shared Categories (2):** [Location Intelligence Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/location-intelligence), [GIS Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/gis)


**Unique to Google Maps Platform (2):** [Location Platform Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/location-platform), [Geofencing Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/geofencing)


---
## Reviewer Demographics

### By Company Size

| Segment | CARTO | Google Maps Platform | 
|---|---|---|
| **Small-Business** | 48.4% | 57.1% | 
| **Mid-Market** | 18.8% | 28.6% | 
| **Enterprise** | 32.8% | 14.3% | 

### 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%

#### Google Maps Platform

- **Information Technology and Services:** 17.9%
- **Higher Education:** 7.1%
- **Computer Software:** 7.1%
- **Marketing and Advertising:** 7.1%
- **Transportation/Trucking/Railroad:** 3.6%
- **Financial Services:** 3.6%
- **Real Estate:** 3.6%
- **Hospital & Health Care:** 3.6%
- **Consumer Services:** 3.6%
- **Non-Profit Organization Management:** 3.6%
- **Other:** 39.3%

---
## 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 (3657 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 (154 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 (810 reviews)
- [Google Earth Pro](https://www.g2.com/products/google-earth-pro/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (384 reviews)
- [Geopointe](https://www.g2.com/products/geopointe/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (284 reviews)

### Alternatives to Google Maps Platform

- [Esri ArcGIS](https://www.g2.com/products/esri-arcgis/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (539 reviews)
- [MapInfo Pro](https://www.g2.com/products/mapinfo-pro/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (120 reviews)
- [Radar](https://www.g2.com/products/radar-labs-inc-radar/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (18 reviews)
- [BatchGeo](https://www.g2.com/products/batchgeo/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (1047 reviews)
- [Loqate](https://www.g2.com/products/gbg-plc-loqate/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (46 reviews)
- [Mapbox](https://www.g2.com/products/mapbox/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (41 reviews)
- [ArcGIS Pro](https://www.g2.com/products/arcgis-pro/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (190 reviews)
- [Azure Maps](https://www.g2.com/products/azure-maps/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (12 reviews)
- [ArcGIS Online](https://www.g2.com/products/arcgis-online/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (190 reviews)
- [Geopointe](https://www.g2.com/products/geopointe/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (284 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..."

### Google Maps Platform

- Title: [What is the best way to use](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-the-best-way-to-use) — 4 comments, 3 upvotes
  > **Top comment:** "It's best to use when driving it will guide where ever you want to go with an amazing direction arrows. "
- Title: [What is Google Places used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-google-places-used-for) — 2 comments
  > **Top comment:** "It's used for businesses and organizations to list themselves on the Web."
- Title: [How secure is the information that am providing?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/13479-how-secure-is-the-information-that-am-providing) — 2 comments, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "Hello, regarding your question, it is a very secure application as it has all the security that Google provides for its accounts. However, a person who knows..."
- Title: [Is Google map a software?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-google-map-a-software) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "Google Maps is a cloud-based GIS software"
- Title: [in you phone or laptop and computer](https://www.g2.com/discussions/in-you-phone-or-laptop-and-computer) — 1 comment, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "In phone ao laptop."

---
**Source:** [G2.com](https://www.g2.com) | [Comparison Page](https://www.g2.com/compare/carto-vs-google-maps-platform)