Carto Builder

What is CARTO?

CARTO is a cloud-based platform that helps businesses analyze and visualize location data to make better decisions. It allows organizations to map large datasets, find geographic patterns, and create predictive models without needing coding skills. CARTO is popular in industries like retail, logistics, real estate, and urban planning to improve operations and strategies.

With strong geospatial analytics, AI-driven insights, and easy integration with tools like BigQuery and Snowflake, CARTO turns raw location data into useful information. Whether for market analysis or supply chain optimization, CARTO simplifies complex geospatial tasks.

Key Features of CARTO

• No-code Geospatial Analysis – You don’t need a background in GIS or coding to analyze location data. CARTO’s drag-and-drop interface makes it easy to create maps, run spatial queries, and uncover insights in minutes.
• Cloud-Native Platform – Instead of dealing with data transfers, CARTO connects directly to cloud data warehouses like BigQuery, Snowflake, and Amazon Redshift. This means you can analyze large datasets without slowing down your workflow.
• AI-Powered Spatial Analytics – Beyond visualization, CARTO helps you predict trends and detect patterns using machine learning. Whether you’re optimizing supply chains or analyzing customer behavior, you get data-backed insights without the complexity.
• Interactive & Customizable Maps – Design dynamic, shareable maps that update in real-time. Adjust styles, add multiple data layers, and filter information to make your visuals both clear and actionable.
• Seamless Integrations – CARTO works with GIS tools, business intelligence platforms, and even Python-based data science environments. Whatever your setup, it fits right in.
• Built for Scale – Whether you’re handling thousands or millions of data points, CARTO processes geospatial information efficiently. That means faster analysis and better decisions without performance issues.

Benefits of CARTO

• Speeds Up Decision-Making – Instead of manually analyzing spreadsheets, CARTO turns raw location data into clear visual insights. This makes it easier to spot trends, optimize operations, and make informed business decisions faster.
• Reduces Data Complexity – Location data can be messy, but CARTO simplifies it. With built-in spatial analytics and seamless cloud connections, you don’t have to deal with complicated data transformations or slow processing times.
• Saves Time on Manual Mapping – Traditional GIS tools often require extensive setup and expertise. CARTO’s automated geospatial analysis removes the manual work, letting you focus on strategy instead of data wrangling.
• Enhances Collaboration Across Teams – Whether you're in marketing, logistics, or real estate, CARTO makes it easy to share interactive maps and reports with your team. Insights are accessible to everyone, not just data analysts.
• Adapts to Your Business Needs – Some tools force you into rigid workflows, but CARTO is flexible. Whether you need simple map visualizations or complex predictive analytics, you can scale its capabilities as your business grows.
• Eliminates Costly GIS Software Dependencies – Many traditional geospatial tools require expensive licenses and IT resources. CARTO offers a cloud-based, scalable alternative, reducing overhead while delivering powerful location intelligence.

Limitations of CARTO

• Learning Curve for Advanced Features – While CARTO simplifies location intelligence, mastering its full capabilities—like SQL-based spatial analysis and AI-driven insights—takes time, especially if you're new to geospatial analytics.
• Requires Cloud Connectivity – CARTO is cloud-native, meaning an internet connection is essential. If you need offline GIS capabilities, traditional desktop GIS software might be a better fit.
• Limited Free Plan – The free version offers basic mapping and visualization features, but advanced analytics, big data processing, and enterprise integrations require a paid plan.
• Not a Full GIS Replacement – If you need in-depth geospatial modeling, custom projections, or highly specialized GIS functions, tools like ArcGIS or QGIS may provide more flexibility.
• Performance Depends on Data Warehouse Setup – CARTO integrates with cloud data platforms like BigQuery and Snowflake, but performance can vary depending on how well your data is structured and optimized.

Pricing of CARTO

CARTO offers enterprise-level pricing with three main plans, tailored to different team sizes and analytics needs. Pricing is not publicly listed, so you'll need to request a quote based on your requirements.

• Small – Designed for smaller teams needing advanced spatial analytics. Includes 3 editors, 15 viewers, and 180,000 usage units. Cloud-based deployment.
• Medium – Best for cross-functional teams running analytics at scale. Includes 10 editors, 50 viewers, and 600,000 usage units. Cloud-based deployment.
• Strategic – A fully customizable plan for large enterprises managing complex geospatial analytics. Offers unlimited editors and viewers, 3,000,000+ usage units, and self-hosted or cloud deployment.

All plans integrate with major cloud platforms like Google Cloud, AWS, Azure, Snowflake, and Databricks, ensuring flexibility in data storage and processing.

Want a specific quote? Visit CARTO’s pricing page for more details.

Who Should Use CARTO

• Businesses Leveraging Location Data – If your company relies on spatial insights—whether for market analysis, logistics, or site selection—CARTO helps turn raw location data into actionable intelligence.
• Retail & Real Estate Professionals – Need to find the best store locations or analyze customer foot traffic? CARTO makes it easy to map, visualize, and predict demand based on geographic data.
• Logistics & Supply Chain Teams – Optimizing delivery routes, warehouse locations, and fleet management becomes more efficient with CARTO’s geospatial analytics and AI-powered predictions.
• Government & Urban Planners – Whether analyzing traffic patterns, zoning changes, or infrastructure projects, CARTO provides tools to make data-driven urban planning decisions.
• Data Scientists & Analysts – If you're working with large datasets and need advanced spatial analytics, CARTO’s cloud-native platform integrates seamlessly with tools like BigQuery, Snowflake, and Databricks.

CARTO May Not Be Right for You If

• You Need a Traditional GIS Tool – CARTO specializes in cloud-based spatial analytics, but if you require in-depth GIS features like advanced cartographic design or offline access, tools like ArcGIS or QGIS might be a better fit.
• You’re Looking for a Budget-Friendly Option – CARTO is an enterprise-level solution, and pricing is quote-based. If you need basic mapping without advanced analytics, free or lower-cost alternatives like Google Maps Platform or OpenStreetMap may be more suitable.
• Your Data Isn’t Cloud-Ready – Since CARTO is cloud-native, it works best with cloud data warehouses. If your organization relies heavily on local databases or offline datasets, integration might require additional setup.
• You Only Need Simple Mapping Tools – If your primary goal is creating static maps without deeper data analysis, CARTO’s advanced spatial modeling features may be unnecessary. Simpler tools like Mapbox or Google My Maps could be a better match.
• You Require Real-Time IoT or Live Sensor Data Processing – While CARTO is powerful for spatial analysis, it’s not built for handling live IoT sensor data streams in real time. Platforms like Google Cloud IoT or Azure Maps may be more effective for those needs.

Alternatives to CARTO

If CARTO isn’t the right fit, here are some solid alternatives based on different use cases:

• ArcGIS – A powerful GIS tool for advanced mapping, spatial analysis, and 3D visualization. Ideal for enterprises needing comprehensive GIS capabilities, but it requires a steeper learning curve.
• Google BigQuery GIS – Perfect for businesses already using Google Cloud. It enables scalable geospatial analysis directly within BigQuery without needing a separate platform.
• Mapbox – Best for developers looking to build custom interactive maps with detailed design control. It offers APIs and SDKs for web and mobile applications.
• QGIS – A free, open-source GIS software offering robust spatial analysis and cartographic features. Ideal for professionals who need offline functionality and extensive GIS tools without a cloud dependency.
• Kepler.gl – A lightweight, open-source tool for quick geospatial visualization. Best for users who need fast, interactive mapping without complex analytics.
• PostGIS – An extension for PostgreSQL that adds geospatial capabilities to databases. Great for data engineers and developers who prefer SQL-based spatial analysis over a standalone mapping platform.

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FAQs About CARTO

What is CARTO used for?

CARTO is a cloud-based location intelligence platform used for mapping, analyzing, and visualizing geospatial data. Businesses use it for market analysis, site selection, logistics optimization, and urban planning. It integrates with cloud data warehouses like BigQuery and Snowflake, making it easy to process large datasets. CARTO helps organizations turn location data into actionable insights without requiring deep GIS expertise.

Does CARTO require coding skills?

No, CARTO offers a no-code interface for creating maps and running spatial analysis. However, for advanced analytics, users can leverage SQL-based spatial queries and integrate with tools like Python and R. This makes it suitable for both non-technical users and data professionals who need deeper geospatial processing capabilities.

Can CARTO handle big data?

Yes, CARTO is designed for large-scale geospatial analysis and works seamlessly with cloud data warehouses like Google BigQuery, AWS, and Snowflake. It enables processing of millions of data points without performance slowdowns, making it ideal for enterprises dealing with high-volume spatial data.

How does CARTO compare to ArcGIS?

CARTO is a cloud-native platform focused on scalable, AI-powered geospatial analytics, whereas ArcGIS offers advanced GIS tools with extensive offline capabilities. If you need high-performance location intelligence integrated with cloud databases, CARTO is a great fit. For detailed cartographic design, offline GIS work, and government applications, ArcGIS is more suitable.

Is CARTO free to use?

CARTO does not offer a free plan for full functionality. Pricing is enterprise-based and requires a custom quote depending on usage needs. However, a trial version may be available for testing. For smaller-scale mapping, open-source alternatives like QGIS or Kepler.gl might be better options.

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