Back to glossary

Map Software

Table of Contents

Map software is also known as mapping software or GIS (Geographic Information System) software. It refers to computer programs or applications designed to create, display, and manipulate spatial information in the form of maps. These software tools use geospatial data to represent the physical features of the Earth's surface, including natural and man-made elements, and allow users to interact with and analyze this information for various purposes such as navigation, planning, analysis, and decision-making. Some examples of mapping software include ArcGIS, QGIS, Mapinfo or Mapbox

Map software often incorporates features like data visualization, spatial analysis, and navigation functionalities, making it a valuable tool in fields ranging from geography and cartography to urban planning, environmental science, and business applications.

Is CARTO a Mapping Software? 

While CARTO includes robust mapping capabilities, CARTO extends its functionality to provide a broader set of tools for spatial analysis, data visualization, and location-based insights. 

CARTO is the only cloud-first spatial platform built for accelerated, modern GIS. It runs natively on top of a cloud data warehouse platform (e.g. Google BigQuery, Snowflake, AWS Redshift, etc.), providing easy access to highly scalable spatial analysis and visualization capabilities in the cloud - be it for analytics, app development, data engineering, and more. Deepen your knowledge about CARTO here.

Table of Contents

Map Software

Map software is also known as mapping software or GIS (Geographic Information System) software. It refers to computer programs or applications designed to create, display, and manipulate spatial information in the form of maps. These software tools use geospatial data to represent the physical features of the Earth's surface, including natural and man-made elements, and allow users to interact with and analyze this information for various purposes such as navigation, planning, analysis, and decision-making. Some examples of mapping software include ArcGIS, QGIS, Mapinfo or Mapbox

Map software often incorporates features like data visualization, spatial analysis, and navigation functionalities, making it a valuable tool in fields ranging from geography and cartography to urban planning, environmental science, and business applications.

Is CARTO a Mapping Software? 

While CARTO includes robust mapping capabilities, CARTO extends its functionality to provide a broader set of tools for spatial analysis, data visualization, and location-based insights. 

CARTO is the only cloud-first spatial platform built for accelerated, modern GIS. It runs natively on top of a cloud data warehouse platform (e.g. Google BigQuery, Snowflake, AWS Redshift, etc.), providing easy access to highly scalable spatial analysis and visualization capabilities in the cloud - be it for analytics, app development, data engineering, and more. Deepen your knowledge about CARTO here.

Related Content

Report
Modernizing the Geospatial Analysis Stack

The ultimate handbook for navigating the new geospatial landscape. Learn to optimize your tech stack for bigger, faster and more collaborative spatial analysis.

Download now
Blog
Dynamic Tiling for Highly Performant Cloud-Native Maps

Elevate cloud-native mapping of big data with CARTO's Dynamic Tiling. Seamlessly integrate interactive maps in your apps without compromising speed.

Read more
Report
Spatial Data Governance in the Time of AI

Download this report to learn how to bring spatial data into your governance strategy, so your analyses stay accurate, auditable, and compliant.

Download now