The CARTO platform consists of several components, ranging from browser-based applications built using
React and
TypeScript, to REST
APIs and libraries that allow geospatial analysis and visualization on top of cloud data warehouses using
SQL. Additionally, CARTO is a major contributor to deck.gl, an
open-source JavaScript library for
data visualization.
Workspace Within the Workspace interface, users can establish connections with various cloud data warehouses. They can integrate their
spatial databases, geocode tables, enrich current datasets by incorporating both public and premium data from a data catalog. Additionally, users can easily access a diverse array of tools offered within the CARTO platform.
CARTO Builder The
web application called Builder is where users run analysis to create interactive
dashboards and design custom map visualizations. Builder is intended for developers and non-developers to have access to, and be able to use advanced geospatial analysis tools. CARTO integrates lightweight data formats such as
Spatial Indexes (H3 and Quadbin) and dynamic tile sets for efficient processing and analysis of large-scale
geographical information.
CARTO Workflows CARTO Workflows is a visual model builder that allows the building of complex spatial analyses and
data preparation and transformation workflows without writing code. Workflows is fully cloud-native and runs directly in the data warehouse. CARTO Workflows provides a variety of analysis components for tasks ranging from
data preparation to analysis functions. It also offers built-in
GenAI capabilities aimed at enhancing productivity and facilitating quicker insights.
Analytics Toolbox The Analytics Toolbox within CARTO comprises a comprehensive collection of
data processing and analytical functions to efficiently amplify the geospatial functionalities accessible across various cloud data warehouses. This toolbox encompasses over 100 sophisticated spatial functions categorized into distinct modules like tiler, data, clustering, and statistics, among others. There is a specific CARTO Analytics Toolbox with different functions and modules depending on the cloud data warehouse. These toolboxes feature two distinct module types: core modules, which are
open source and freely accessible, and advanced modules exclusively accessible with a CARTO account.
Platform APIs and libraries CARTO has available a complete suite of APIs, frameworks, connectors, and development tools for the Developer community for building large-scale custom map and
data visualization applications.
CARTO + deck.gl CARTO uses deck.gl, an
open-source webGL-based visualization library, to build all geospatial visualizations. CARTO is an active contributor to deck.gl and maintains a CARTO submodule inside deck.gl that allows developers to build their own applications, wrapping seamlessly most functionalities in Maps API and
SQL API.
APIs Maps API: acts as a dynamic
tile service for both
vector and raster data, which creates new tiles based on client requests. It also supports pre-generated tile sets. It is meant to be used almost exclusively by the CARTO submodule inside deck.gl. SQL API: allows pushing any kind of valid SQL statements (including
parameterized queries) to the data warehouse. By using native SQL code, developers can build advanced logic, data widgets, and powerful analyses inside their geospatial applications. Other APIs: CARTO offers additional APIs to handle Location Data Services (e.g.
geocoding, routing...), import geospatial files to the data warehouse, or manage authentication and other assets in CARTO.
Base maps CARTO offers a high-quality base map service to all users, based on open-source data such as
OpenStreetMap. CARTO basecamps can be used for free for non-commercial purposes by applying for a grant.
Data Observatory CARTO offers a wide range of datasets from around the globe accessible through their Data Observatory, which acts as their spatial data repository. Data scientists, developers, and GIS professionals can augment their data and broaden their analysis with more than 12.000 datasets available in the Data Observatory. The datasets are public or premium covering most global markets. The open datasets include the
WorldPop Project and
Census data, while
Experian, SafeGraph,
TomTom, and others are part of the premium data repository.
Agentic GIS and AI Agents Agentic GIS is an approach within the CARTO platform that focuses on embedding AI capabilities across enterprise geospatial workflows rather than treating AI as a separate analytical tool. This strategy is designed to integrate the work of specialist teams with the wider business, facilitating the use of geospatial intelligence by non-specialist decision-makers. AI Agents are a key component of the
Agentic GIS platform. These agents are built to understand natural language, reason with spatial data, and automate complex geospatial workflows, providing instant insights and recommendations. Functionality: Analysts and
GIS professionals act as "Agent Builders" who create and configure the AI Agents. The agents use specific tools, including User Interaction Tools to engage with maps (such as filtering or zooming) and Data Analysis Tools to perform actions on data, like running complex queries or CARTO Workflows directly in the cloud
data warehouse.
Interoperability and
governance: AI Agents operate entirely within the customer's governed cloud environment, ensuring spatial data does not leave the data warehouse and adheres to established security policies and audit trails. This cloud-native approach is model-agnostic, allowing enterprises to leverage their own vetted AI models and endpoints, such as
Gemini or
GPT-4. Furthermore, CARTO Workflows can be deployed as
MCP tools for consumption by external AI platforms like Agentspace or
Claude, enabling frictionless spatial analysis integration across an existing
AI ecosystem. ==Communities==