CARTO vs Google Maps vs Mapbox

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CARTO

39
77
+ 1
3
Google Maps

41.8K
29.1K
+ 1
567
Mapbox

716
933
+ 1
112

CARTO vs Google Maps vs Mapbox: What are the differences?

<Carto, Google Maps, and Mapbox are popular mapping platforms that offer unique features and functionalities. When comparing these three platforms, there are key differences that users should consider before selecting the most suitable tool for their mapping needs.>

1. **Data Visualization Capabilities**: CARTO specializes in advanced data visualization techniques, allowing users to create interactive maps with detailed data layers and visualizations. Google Maps, on the other hand, focuses more on providing map navigation and directions for users. Mapbox offers a balance between the two, providing customization options for data visualization along with mapping functionalities.

2. **Customization Options**: While Google Maps offers limited customization options and design elements, CARTO and Mapbox provide extensive customization capabilities, allowing users to tailor their maps according to specific needs. CARTO offers a wide range of design templates and styling features, while Mapbox enables users to create custom map styles using libraries like Mapbox Studio.

3. **Spatial Analysis Tools**: CARTO is known for its robust spatial analysis tools, which enable users to perform in-depth geospatial analysis on their data. Google Maps offers basic spatial analysis features, with a focus on location-based services and mapping. Mapbox provides intermediate spatial analysis capabilities, suitable for users looking to perform simple geospatial tasks.

4. **Developer-Friendly Features**: Mapbox is favored by developers for its developer-friendly features and tools, such as SDKs and APIs that allow for seamless integration of maps into applications. CARTO also provides developer tools but is more focused on data analysis and visualization rather than development. Google Maps offers APIs for integration but is primarily known for its consumer-facing map services.

5. **Licensing and Pricing**: CARTO offers different pricing plans, including a free basic plan and various premium plans based on usage and features. Google Maps has a pay-as-you-go pricing model, with free usage limits and additional charges for extra services. Mapbox provides flexible pricing plans targeted at developers, businesses, and enterprises, with pay-as-you-go options and customizable plans based on usage and features.

6. **Community Support and Resources**: Mapbox has a vibrant community of developers and users that contribute resources, documentation, and support for the platform. CARTO also has a community but is more focused on business users and analysts. Google Maps has a vast user base but offers limited community support and resources compared to the other two platforms.

In Summary, while CARTO excels in data visualization and spatial analysis tools, Mapbox offers extensive customization options and developer-friendly features, and Google Maps focuses on navigation and location-based services. Each platform has its strengths and weaknesses, catering to different user preferences and requirements in mapping and geospatial applications.
Advice on CARTO, Google Maps, and Mapbox
  1. I would like to input a spreadsheet with names and associated addresses into a map program to; pinpoint all of the locations on a map. How can I do that? On which map? Are there field size limitations? All help would be appreciated.

  2. There is a subdivision that is about one(1) mile by 3/4 mile in size. Is there a map program that would create the most efficient way to drive all of the streets in the subdivision without a lot of doubling back?

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Replies (1)

You could use a low-code platform to read the spreadsheet and use them as input for the pin pointing. The most expert provider would HERE or TomTom for the best routing algoritmes. Input parameters would be dependent on the chosen provider.

I see your stack is mostly Google and I am not familiar with that. But we have implemented this through the M365 Teams/SharePoint, Excell, MS PowerPlatform, our WMS and Azure.

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From a StackShare Community member: "We're a team of two starting to write a mobile app. The app will heavily rely on maps and this is where my partner and I are not seeing eye-to-eye. I would like to go with an open source solution like OpenStreetMap that is used by Apple & Foursquare. He would like to go with Google Maps since more apps use it and has better support (according to him). Mapbox is also an option but I don’t know much about it."

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Replies (6)
Recommends
on
MapboxMapbox

I use Mapbox because We need 3D maps and navigation, it has a great plugin for React and React Native which we use. Also the Mapbox Geocoder is great.

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Recommends
on
OpenStreetMapOpenStreetMap

I use OpenStreetMap because that has a strong community. It takes some time to catch up with Google Maps, but OpenStreetMap will become great solution.

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Blair Gemmer
Software Engineer at VYNYL · | 2 upvotes · 182.5K views
Recommends
on
Google MapsGoogle Maps

Google Maps is best because it is practically free (they give you $300 in free credits per month and it's really hard to go over the free tier unless you really mean business) and it's the best!

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Shuuji TAKAHASHI
Recommends
on
Google MapsGoogle Maps

I use Google Maps because it has a lot of great features such as Google's rich APIs, geolocation functions, navigation search feature, street map view, auto-generated 3D city map.

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Recommends
on
OpenStreetMapOpenStreetMap

Its open source and we use it.

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Fabio Fraga Machado
Recommends
on
OpenStreetMapOpenStreetMap

I use OpenStreetMap because i have the control of the environment, using Docker containers or bare-metal servers.

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Pros of CARTO
Pros of Google Maps
Pros of Mapbox
  • 1
    Crisp UI
  • 1
    Great customer service
  • 1
    Comprehensive platform
  • 253
    Free
  • 136
    Address input through maps api
  • 82
    Sharable Directions
  • 47
    Google Earth
  • 46
    Unique
  • 3
    Custom maps designing
  • 28
    Best mapping service outside of Google Maps
  • 22
    OpenStreetMap
  • 15
    Beautifully vectorable
  • 11
    Fluid user experience
  • 8
    Extensible
  • 7
    React/ RNative integration
  • 5
    3D Layers
  • 4
    Low Level API
  • 4
    Affordable
  • 3
    Great customer support
  • 3
    Custom themes
  • 2
    High data volume rendering

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Cons of CARTO
Cons of Google Maps
Cons of Mapbox
    Be the first to leave a con
    • 5
      Google Attributions and logo
    • 2
      Only map allowed alongside google place autocomplete
      Be the first to leave a con

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      - No public GitHub repository available -

      What is CARTO?

      The CARTO platform empowers everyone, from business analysts to data scientists, to turn location data into business outcomes. We accelerate innovation, power new use cases and disrupt business models through Location Intelligence.

      What is Google Maps?

      Create rich applications and stunning visualisations of your data, leveraging the comprehensiveness, accuracy, and usability of Google Maps and a modern web platform that scales as you grow.

      What is Mapbox?

      We make it possible to pin travel spots on Pinterest, find restaurants on Foursquare, and visualize data on GitHub.

      Need advice about which tool to choose?Ask the StackShare community!

      What companies use CARTO?
      What companies use Google Maps?
      What companies use Mapbox?

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      What tools integrate with CARTO?
      What tools integrate with Google Maps?
      What tools integrate with Mapbox?
        No integrations found

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        What are some alternatives to CARTO, Google Maps, and Mapbox?
        ArcGIS
        It is a geographic information system for working with maps and geographic information. It is used for creating and using maps, compiling geographic data, analyzing mapped information, sharing and much more.
        Tableau
        Tableau can help anyone see and understand their data. Connect to almost any database, drag and drop to create visualizations, and share with a click.
        Leaflet
        Leaflet is an open source JavaScript library for mobile-friendly interactive maps. It is developed by Vladimir Agafonkin of MapBox with a team of dedicated contributors. Weighing just about 30 KB of gzipped JS code, it has all the features most developers ever need for online maps.
        Postman
        It is the only complete API development environment, used by nearly five million developers and more than 100,000 companies worldwide.
        Postman
        It is the only complete API development environment, used by nearly five million developers and more than 100,000 companies worldwide.
        See all alternatives