Websites using Cartodb

Okay, let s break down CartoDB, covering its overview, revenue (as publicly available), alternatives, pricing, and customer care.

CartoDB Overview

• What it is: CartoDB (now primarily known as CARTO) is a leading cloud-native Location Intelligence (LI) platform. It s designed to help organizations discover, predict, and act on location data. Essentially, it helps you analyze geospatial data, create interactive maps, and build location-based applications.

• Key Features:

  • Geospatial Data Analysis: Powerful tools for spatial SQL, geocoding, routing, and more. Can handle large datasets.
  • Map Visualization: Create custom maps using their tools or integrate with other visualization libraries.
  • Location Intelligence Apps: Build custom applications using their APIs and SDKs.
  • Cloud-Native Architecture: Scalable and reliable cloud infrastructure.
  • Spatial Data Science: Integrate with data science workflows using Python libraries like cartoframes.
  • Data Observatory: Provides access to curated geospatial datasets (e.g., demographics, traffic, climate).
  • Workflows: Drag-and-drop environment for building complex analytical workflows.
  • Integrations: Connects with many data sources and platforms like BigQuery, Snowflake, AWS, Azure, PostGIS, ESRI ArcGIS, and more.

• Target Audience: Businesses, governments, and organizations of all sizes that need to understand and use location data for things like:

  • Retail site selection
  • Supply chain optimization
  • Real estate analysis
  • Urban planning
  • Disaster response
  • Marketing and advertising
  • Logistics
  • And many more.

Revenue

• Private Company: CARTO is a privately held company, so exact revenue figures are not publicly disclosed. However, based on estimates and funding rounds, it s likely in the tens of millions of dollars annually. They ve raised significant funding, which indicates growth and investor confidence.

Alternatives

Here are some popular alternatives to CARTO, categorized by their strengths:

• Cloud-Based Mapping & Analytics (Similar Scope):

  • Esri ArcGIS Online: The dominant player in the GIS world. Very comprehensive, but can be more complex and expensive. It has excellent tools, documentation, and integrations.
  • Mapbox: Focuses heavily on mapping and location services (e.g., navigation, geocoding). Excellent for building custom mapping experiences.
  • Google Maps Platform (formerly Google Maps API): Extensive mapping and location-based services, especially strong in consumer-facing applications.
  • Foursquare Studio: Powerful mapping tool with strong focus on data visualizations.

• Open-Source/Self-Hosted Options:

  • QGIS: A free and open-source desktop GIS application. It s very powerful and has a large community, but requires more technical expertise to set up and manage.
  • GeoServer: Open-source server for publishing geospatial data.
  • PostGIS: Spatial database extension for PostgreSQL.
  • Leaflet: A popular open-source JavaScript library for creating interactive maps.
  • OpenLayers: Another robust open-source JavaScript library for web mapping.

• Business Intelligence (BI) Platforms with Geospatial Capabilities:

  • Tableau: Strong BI platform with decent mapping features.
  • Power BI: Microsoft s BI platform, also with mapping capabilities.
  • Looker: Another popular BI tool. Often requires custom integrations for advanced geospatial analysis.

• Geoapify: Is a cloud-based solution for maps and location services. It provides different building blocks that cover essential geospatial needs.

Pricing

• CARTO uses a subscription-based pricing model. Exact pricing is not publicly available because it varies depending on your specific needs and usage. Key factors that influence pricing include:

  • Number of users
  • Amount of data storage
  • Number of map views/API requests
  • Level of support required
  • Specific features used (e.g., Data Observatory access)
  • Contract length

• How to get pricing: The best way to get accurate pricing is to contact CARTO directly through their website and request a demo or quote. They will typically work with you to understand your requirements and create a custom pricing plan.

• Compared to Alternatives: CARTO is generally considered to be in the mid-to-high price range compared to other location intelligence platforms. Esri ArcGIS Online can be more expensive at the enterprise level. Open-source solutions are free in terms of licensing costs, but you have to factor in the cost of infrastructure, development, and maintenance.

Customer Care

• Support Channels:

  • Documentation: CARTO has extensive online documentation, including tutorials, API references, and guides. This is a good starting point for finding answers to common questions.
  • Support Tickets: You can submit support tickets through their online portal. The response time will vary depending on your subscription level.
  • Community Forum: They have a community forum where you can ask questions and get help from other users and CARTO employees.
  • Professional Services: CARTO offers professional services, including training, consulting, and custom development.

• Reputation: CARTO is generally regarded as having good customer support. They are responsive and helpful. However, like any company, experiences can vary. Check online reviews (e.g., G2 Crowd, Capterra) to get a sense of other users experiences. Be aware that review sites often have a bias due to affiliate programs.

• Things to Consider When Evaluating Customer Care:

  • Response time: How quickly do they respond to support requests?
  • Expertise: Do the support staff have the technical expertise to solve your problems?
  • Documentation quality: Is the documentation clear, comprehensive, and up-to-date?
  • Training: Do they offer training programs to help you get the most out of the platform?
  • Onboarding: Do they offer onboarding assistance to help you get started?

In Summary

CARTO is a powerful location intelligence platform that s well-suited for organizations that need to analyze and visualize geospatial data, build location-based applications, and gain insights from location data. It s a strong competitor to Esri and Mapbox. While it s not the cheapest option, it offers a robust set of features and good customer support. The best way to determine if it s the right fit for you is to request a demo and discuss your specific requirements with their sales team. Remember to compare pricing and features with other alternatives before making a decision.