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CARTO vs LocationIQ Comparison

Last updated:

CARTO

4.4(88 reviews)

Starting at Contact for pricing

  • Free Trial
  • Freelancers / Consultants
  • Large Enterprises

CARTO is a powerful yet easy to use Geographic Information System Software that allows for mapping and for the creation of interactive maps using the location data. Use it to create custom maps and locations, show spatia…

LocationIQ

4.5(20 reviews)

Starting at $50 /Month

  • Freelancers / Consultants
  • Large Enterprises

LocationIQ is a professional geographic information system software program designed for location based services and locational marketing. Its local business sales software is a powerful, yet easy to use tool that allows…

LocationIQ leads on user satisfaction with a 4.5-star rating across 20 reviews.

SpotSaaS Analysis

CARTOLocationIQ

The core difference between CARTO and LocationIQ lies in CARTO's focus on creating interactive, multi-layer spatial maps for data-driven insights, making it ideal for medium to large businesses with teams of data analysts and GIS specialists. In contrast, LocationIQ offers a more straightforward mapping solution at a low price point, appealing to budget-conscious users or smaller teams needing basic location services.

- Best for creating interactive, multi-layer spatial maps - Ideal for medium to large businesses - Suitable for data analysts, GIS specialists, and urban planners - Focuses on data-driven insights - Fast creation of visually appealing maps - Emphasizes spatial analytics

- Budget-friendly mapping solution priced at $50 - Suitable for smaller teams or budget-conscious users - Offers basic location services - Ideal for straightforward mapping needs - Not specifically targeted at any company size - Lacks advanced features compared to CARTO

CARTO vs LocationIQ — at a glance

FeatureCARTOLocationIQ
Rating4.4 / 54.5 / 5
Reviews8820
Starting priceContact for pricing$50 /Month
Free trial Yes No
Free version No No
Best forFreelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises, Medium BusinessFreelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises, Medium Business
CategoryGeographic Information System SoftwareGeographic Information System Software
PlatformsSaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - AndroidSaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android
APIAvailableAvailable
Support modesBusiness Hours, OnlineOnline
CertificationsSOC 2, GDPRGDPR
Data residencyGlobalUS

Key differences between CARTO and LocationIQ

  • Pricing: LocationIQ starts at $50 /Month. CARTO pricing is not publicly listed.
  • Free trial: CARTO offers a free trial; LocationIQ does not.
  • User satisfaction: LocationIQ scores higher with a 4.5-star average.
  • Deployment: CARTO supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android; LocationIQ supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android.

CARTO vs LocationIQ — find the better fit before you commit.

01

Which tool fits your team best

02

Which is actually cheaper for your team size

03

Where each product wins, per real buyers

Most Geographic Information System Software tools look identical on paper. This comparison cuts to the differences that matter — pricing structure, team fit, and what real buyers found after signing up.

CARTO - Geographic Information System Software
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LocationIQ - Geographic Information System Software
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Biggest differences

Start here before you go deeper into features.

CARTO

Best for creating interactive, multi-layer spatial maps for data-driven insights.

Choose if
  • You need fast creation of visually appealing, interactive maps with multiple data layers.
  • Your team includes data analysts, GIS specialists, or urban planners requiring spatial analytics.
  • You want a flexible GIS tool for location analytics, urban planning, or marketing behavior analysis.
Consider alternatives if
  • Your users lack GIS or data analytics expertise due to the intimidating learning curve.
  • You require extensive marketplace apps, connectors, or advanced GIS customization features.

LocationIQ

Best for

Freelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises, Medium Business

CARTO typically suits Freelancers / Consultants and Large Enterprises. LocationIQ tends to fit Freelancers / Consultants and Large Enterprises better. The right choice depends on your team size, workflow, and whether a free trial matters.

Description

CARTO is a powerful yet easy to use Geographic Information System Software that allows for mapping and for the creation of interactive maps using the location data. Use it to create custom ... Read More about CARTO

LocationIQ is a professional geographic information system software program designed for location based services and locational marketing. Its local business sales software is a powerful, ... Read More about LocationIQ

Entry Level Pricing

  • Not Available
  • Starts from $50

Free Trial Availability

  • No free trial

Spotsaas Score

What's this? ↗

9.4/10

7.9/10

User Ratings

Based on verified Spotsaas reviews

4.4

(88)

4.5

(20)

Best Company Size

Medium BusinessLarge Enterprises
Get pricing help
Get pricing help

Software Demo

Demo

No software demo available

LocationIQ has not given any software demo yet

If you're the owner of this profile, add your demo.Contact us

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Share your priorities, budget, and team needs, and we’ll help you narrow the options and understand the tradeoffs before you talk to vendors.

How do CARTO and LocationIQ Compare on Features?

Total Features

10 Features

3 Features

Unique Features

No unique features

No unique features

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Compare CARTO and LocationIQ on pricing

Review starting price, plan structure, and free-trial access side by side so you can see which option fits your budget and buying process.

Pricing Option

      Starting From

      • Not Available
      • $50

      Pricing Plans

      • Not Available
      • Not Available

      Pricing Page

      CARTO pricing
      LocationIQ pricing

      Other Details

      Organization Types supported

      • Freelancers
      • Small Business
      • Medium Business
      • Large Enterprises
      • Individuals
      • Freelancers
      • Small Business
      • Medium Business
      • Large Enterprises
      • Individuals

      Platforms Supported

      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Mobile - Android
      • Mobile - iOS
      • Installed - Windows
      • Installed - Mac
      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Mobile - Android
      • Mobile - iOS
      • Installed - Windows
      • Installed - Mac
      • Browser Based (Cloud)

      Modes of support

      • 24/7 (Live rep)
      • Business Hours
      • Online
      • 24/7 (Live rep)
      • Business Hours
      • Online

      API Support

      • Available
      • Available
      Get help choosing
      Get help choosing

      Security & Compliance

      Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.

      SOC 2

      ✓ Yes

      HIPAA

      ✗ No
      ✗ No

      GDPR

      ✓ Yes
      ✓ Yes

      Single Sign-On (SSO)

      ✓ Yes

      Multi-Factor Auth (MFA)

      ✓ Yes

      Data Encryption

      ✓ Yes
      ✓ Yes

      Audit Logs

      ✓ Yes

      Data Residency

      🌐 Global
      🇺🇸 US

      CARTO User Reviews & Rating Comparison

      User Ratings

      Rating Distribution

      58

      16

      1

      0

      0

      5

      0

      0

      0

      0

      Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI

      Buyer sentiment

      Overall positive sentiment highlights CARTO's powerful mapping capabilities and ease of use for spatial analytics, tempered by a learning curve and some feature limitations.

      What buyers like

      • Ease of use
      • Visual appeal of maps
      • Multi-layer mapping capability

      Common complaints

      • Steep learning curve
      • Limited advanced features

      Buyer sentiment

      Buyer sentiment is very strong across 5 reviews, with consistently positive feedback.

      What buyers like

      • Powerful location-based services
      • Easy data integration
      • Interactive map creation

      Common complaints

      • Limited offline capabilities
      • May require technical knowledge
      • Pricing can be high for small businesses

      Pros and Cons

      • Powerful spatial mapping with support for multiple layers

      • Fast creation of visually appealing and interactive maps

      • Efficient geographic information system for analytics and user tracking

      • Intimidating learning curve for non-expert users

      • Limited advanced features like user tooltips and styling label factors

      • Seamless integration with Google Maps enhances usability.

      • Powerful tools for locational marketing drive customer engagement.

      • User-friendly design makes it accessible for non-technical users.

      • High costs may deter small businesses.

      • Limited offline functionality could be a drawback.

      Positive Reviews

      No reviews available for the product

      No reviews available for the product

      Media and Screenshots

      Screenshots

      Map Layers

      4 Screenshots

      No screenshots available.

      Videos

      video-0

      3 Videos

      No videos available.

      Top Alternatives to CARTO and LocationIQ in 2026

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      Search by product name to compare pricing, fit, and buyer feedback in one view.

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      Disclaimer: This research has been collated from a variety of authoritative sources. We welcome your feedback at [email protected].

      Frequently asked questions

      Which is better, CARTO or LocationIQ?
      LocationIQ edges out the other on user ratings (4.5 vs 4.4). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
      Do CARTO and LocationIQ offer a free trial?
      CARTO offers a free trial. LocationIQ does not.
      What is the starting price of CARTO vs LocationIQ?
      CARTO starts at Contact for pricing. LocationIQ starts at $50 /Month.
      What are the top alternatives to CARTO?
      Top alternatives to CARTO include eSpatial, ArcGIS Online, Mapbox, Map Business Online, Esri ArcGIS.
      What are the top alternatives to LocationIQ?
      Top alternatives to LocationIQ include CARTO, eSpatial, ArcGIS Online, Mapbox, Maptive.

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