CARTO vs Google Maps Platform:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Google Maps Platform had more branded searches than CARTO among mapping and location platforms worldwide. Google Maps Platform had about 61,600 branded searches, while CARTO had 40,500. Google Maps Platform made up 6% of all mapping and location platform searches we track, and CARTO accounted for 4%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about mapping and location platforms, Google Maps Platform appeared in all five answers and CARTO in two. Google Maps Platform was mentioned before CARTO in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Google Maps Platform, about 52% more searches than CARTO
Who does AI mention more?
Google Maps Platform, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Google Maps Platform, named ahead of CARTO in every answer
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Top mapping and location platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Google Maps Platform appeared in all five answers. CARTO was mentioned in two out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Google Maps Platform was listed before CARTO in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
- Google Maps Platform1st
Mapbox2nd
Esri ArcGIS3rd
HERE Technologies4th
Felt5th
CARTO6th
QGIS7th
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Mapbox5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Google Maps Platform5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Esri ArcGIS4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- HERE Technologies3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- QGIS2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- CARTO2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Felt2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about mapping and location platforms
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which location mapping platform should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best location mapping platforms?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best location mapping platform for a map app?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“location map software”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“location mapping platforms”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.
Is CARTO or Google Maps Platform more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for CARTO and Google Maps Platform by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven mapping and location platforms we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Google Maps Platform, CARTO. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | QGIS | Esri ArcGIS | Mapbox | Google Maps Platform | CARTO | HERE Technologies | Felt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 40.6% | 28.5% | 14.9% | 11.5% | 3% | 1.3% | 0.26% |
| Nov 2025 | 41.6% | 28.7% | 15.3% | 9.7% | 3.1% | 1.4% | 0.22% |
| Dec 2025 | 41.4% | 28.8% | 15.2% | 10% | 3% | 1.4% | 0.27% |
| Jan 2026 | 43.5% | 25.5% | 15.9% | 10.2% | 3.2% | 1.4% | 0.23% |
| Feb 2026 | 45.2% | 26.2% | 16.6% | 7.6% | 2.7% | 1.5% | 0.29% |
| Mar 2026 | 42.3% | 29.7% | 15.5% | 7.4% | 3.1% | 1.7% | 0.34% |
| Apr 2026 | 42.5% | 29.6% | 15.6% | 7.4% | 3.1% | 1.4% | 0.34% |
| May 2026 | 44.9% | 26% | 16.5% | 7.5% | 3.3% | 1.5% | 0.36% |
| Jun 2026 | 44% | 25.5% | 16.1% | 9% | 3.2% | 1.8% | 0.43% |
| Jul 2026 | 43.3% | 25.1% | 15.9% | 9.7% | 3.9% | 1.7% | 0.34% |
| Aug 2026 | 43.6% | 25.3% | 16% | 8.5% | 4.8% | 1.4% | 0.34% |
| Sep 2026 | 44.1% | 30.9% | 13.2% | 6% | 4% | 1.4% | 0.35% |
How has the CARTO and Google Maps Platform comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Google Maps Platform was ahead of CARTO in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, CARTO’s share of searches among mapping and location platforms worldwide moved from 3% to 4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 33.1K to 40.5K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Google Maps Platform’s share of searches among mapping and location platforms worldwide moved from 11.5% to 6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 128K to 61.6K.
How did search popularity change for mapping and location platforms worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Google Maps Platform lost share of searches among mapping and location platforms worldwide, from 8.5% to 6%.
In September 2026, CARTO lost share of searches among mapping and location platforms worldwide, from 4.8% to 4%.
How are branded searches counted?
3 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using CARTO’s and Google Maps Platform’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
CARTO
1 branded search term
- carto
Google Maps Platform
2 branded search terms
- google maps api
- google maps platform
Other head-to-heads among mapping and location platforms
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