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Head-to-head · Location Platform Software

CARTO vs Azure Maps

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 1 check side by side
Higher score CARTO #1 in Location Platform Software 9.3/10 Pricing on request · 14-day trial Free trial✓ 0 of 3 features Visit CARTO
Azure Maps #6 in Location Platform Software 7.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 3 features Visit Azure Maps

CARTO leads on 0 checks, Azure Maps on 1, and 0 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 1 yes/no, price and count check where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreCARTO · 9.3/10
  • Free planonly Azure Maps
  • Free trialonly CARTO

CARTO scores higher on our rubric for location platform software: 9.3 against 7.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #6.

Azure Maps offers free plan; CARTO doesn't.

CARTO is the better fit for teams building spatial analytics and location apps. Azure Maps is the better fit for microsoft-centric teams needing mapping APIs.

  • CARTO fits best

    Teams building spatial analytics and location apps

  • Azure Maps fits best

    Microsoft-centric teams needing mapping APIs

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature CARTO 9.3/10 Visit ↗ Azure Maps 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.3 7.9
Ranking #1 in Location Platform Software #6 in Location Platform Software
Best for Teams building spatial analytics and location apps Microsoft-centric teams needing mapping APIs
Pricing model Paid Free plan + paid
Starting price — —
Free plan — ✓ (best)
Free trial 14 days —
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted Cloud, Browser extension
Platforms Web Web, iOS, Android
Support Email, Community, Docs · 24/7 Community, Docs
Integrations 10 integrations 4 integrations
Built for Mid-market, Enterprise Mid-market, Enterprise
Features CARTO 0/3 · Azure Maps 0/3
Geocoding Not checked yet Not checked yet
Routing Not checked yet Not checked yet
Data export Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Included map loads Not checked yet Not checked yet
Spatial data tools Not checked yet Not checked yet
SDK platforms Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Connects to cloud data warehouses and lakehouses for spatial workflows
  • Combines maps, dashboards, enrichment, and territory optimization
  • Offers geocoding, routing, and isoline APIs plus self-hosted deployment
  • Combines mapping, search, routing, traffic, geofencing, and spatial tools
  • Connects with Power BI, Fabric, and the Azure Maps Web SDK
  • Gen2 includes a monthly free transaction allowance
Cons
  • No permanent free plan; pricing is contact-sales
  • Pay As You Go and Enterprise have limited API access and tokens
  • Territory Planning is an extension package for CARTO Workflows
  • Usage-based pricing can make costs harder to predict
  • Paid rates may require pricing details or sales contact
  • Community and documentation are the listed support channels
Our verdict

CARTO brings spatial analytics, mapping, data enrichment, and application development into a location platform for data analysts, GIS professionals, developers, and enterprise teams. Its breadth suits organizations building location apps…

Read the review →

Azure Maps gives developers and organizations cloud geospatial services and SDKs for location-aware web, mobile, and server-side applications. Its toolkit ranges from interactive and static maps to search, routing, traffic, geolocation,…

Read the review →
  1. CARTOLocation Platform Software 9.3Pricing on request · 14-day trial
  2. Azure MapsLocation Platform Software 7.9Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • CARTO — where it wins

    • Connects to cloud data warehouses and lakehouses for spatial workflows
    • Combines maps, dashboards, enrichment, and territory optimization
    • Offers geocoding, routing, and isoline APIs plus self-hosted deployment

    Where it doesn't

    • No permanent free plan; pricing is contact-sales
    • Pay As You Go and Enterprise have limited API access and tokens
    • Territory Planning is an extension package for CARTO Workflows

  • Azure Maps — where it wins

    • Combines mapping, search, routing, traffic, geofencing, and spatial tools
    • Connects with Power BI, Fabric, and the Azure Maps Web SDK
    • Gen2 includes a monthly free transaction allowance

    Where it doesn't

    • Usage-based pricing can make costs harder to predict
    • Paid rates may require pricing details or sales contact
    • Community and documentation are the listed support channels
  • CARTO9.3/10 · Pricing on request · 14-day trial

    A broad toolkit for spatial analysis, location apps, and territory optimization.

    Visit CARTOFull verdict →
  • Azure Maps7.9/10 · Free plan

    A broad mapping API toolkit with a free tier and Microsoft analytics connections.

    Visit Azure MapsFull verdict →

More comparisons

All location platform software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update