Introduction to CARTO

The CARTO mapping platform consists of two major products:

The CARTO Engine is a cloud-based service (SAAS) that provides a map service, geospatial analysis tools, and APIs. Engine is the software on a web server that performs the visualization and analysis of your data
The CARTO Builder is a web-based user interface into the CARTO Engine that permits control of visualization and analysis. Builder is the website you use when creating CARTO maps

CARTO provides a wide variety of features that make it comparable to and different from other map services like Google Maps:

Provisioning of web maps through the CARTO Engine on carto.com
Supports upload of a variety of data formats (including shapefiles)
Provides a convenient web interface for design and analysis
Strong emphasis on attractive and functional visual design
JavaScript API for integration into web sites
Android and iOS SDKs for integration with mobile apps
Access to a library of data
Analysis tools that can be used with both small and big data
Availability at a variety of pricing tiers from free accounts to enterprise-quality service and support

The following video is a brief introduction to creating point maps and choropleths using the CARTO Builder.