CARTO vs LocationIQ Comparison
CARTO
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
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
| Feature | CARTO | LocationIQ |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.4 / 5 | 4.5 / 5 |
| Reviews | 88 | 20 |
| Starting price | Contact for pricing | $50 /Month |
| Free trial | Yes | No |
| Free version | No | No |
| Best for | Freelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises, Medium Business | Freelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises, Medium Business |
| Category | Geographic Information System Software | Geographic Information System Software |
| Platforms | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android |
| API | Available | Available |
| Support modes | Business Hours, Online | Online |
| Certifications | SOC 2, GDPR | GDPR |
| Data residency | Global | US |
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.
Which tool fits your team best
Which is actually cheaper for your team size
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.
Biggest differences
Features
Pricing
Buying details
Security
Buyer feedback
Integrations
Product tour
Other options
Biggest differences
Start here before you go deeper into features.
Best for creating interactive, multi-layer spatial maps for data-driven insights.
- 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.
- 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.
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 |
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Entry Level Pricing |
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Free Trial Availability |
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Spotsaas ScoreWhat's this? ↗ | 9.4/10 | 7.9/10 |
User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | ||
Best Company Size | Medium BusinessLarge Enterprises | — |
Get pricing help | Get pricing help |
Software Demo
Demo | 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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How do CARTO and LocationIQ Compare on Features?
Total Features | 10 Features | 3 Features |
|---|---|---|
Unique Features | No unique features | No unique features |
Get Quote | Get Quote |
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.
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Pricing Page | ![]() | ![]() |
Other Details
Organization Types supported |
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Platforms Supported |
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Modes of support |
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API Support |
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Get help choosing | Get help choosing |
Security & Compliance
Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.
SOC 2 | ✓ Yes | — |
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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 | ||
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Rating Distribution | ||
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
Common complaints
| Buyer sentiment Buyer sentiment is very strong across 5 reviews, with consistently positive feedback. What buyers like
Common complaints
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Pros and Cons |
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Positive Reviews | No reviews available for the product | No reviews available for the product |
Media and Screenshots
Screenshots | ![]() 4 Screenshots | No screenshots available. |
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Videos | ![]() 3 Videos | No videos available. |
Top Alternatives to CARTO and LocationIQ in 2026
Alternatives |
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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.





