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Maritime · head to head

Baltic Exchange vs CargoSmart

Baltic Exchange logo

Baltic Exchange

Maritime

Global shipping market benchmarks

From
$500/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
CargoSmart logo

CargoSmart

Maritime

Global shipment visibility and intelligence

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only CargoSmart has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Baltic Exchange no pricing published on website, membership and data services require contacting the organization; CargoSmart no pricing published on website
  • They diverge on capability: Baltic Exchange covers Freight indices, CargoSmart covers Real-time tracking.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Baltic Exchange and CargoSmart actually diverge.

Attributes where Baltic Exchange and CargoSmart differ
AttributeBaltic ExchangeCargoSmart
Starting price$500/monthFree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, ApiWeb, Ios, Android, Api
Founded17442000

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Maritime).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Baltic Exchange

  • Freight indices
  • Market assessments
  • Forward curves
  • Historical data
  • API
  • Data feeds
  • Trading platforms

Only in CargoSmart

  • Real-time tracking
  • ETA predictions
  • Exception management
  • Carbon tracking
  • SAP TM
  • Oracle
  • Shipping lines
  • TMS

Both cover

  • Web support
  • Api support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Baltic Exchange

  • Shipping market freight data and indicesnot CargoSmart
  • Freight derivatives tradingnot CargoSmart
  • Vessel investment decision makingnot CargoSmart
  • Dry bulk and tanker rate assessmentsnot CargoSmart
  • Container freight market analysisnot CargoSmart

CargoSmart

  • Logistics and cargo managementnot Baltic Exchange
  • Shipping and supply chain coordinationnot Baltic Exchange
  • Freight forwarding servicesnot Baltic Exchange

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Baltic Exchange

  • No pricing published on website, membership and data services require contacting the organization
  • Custom pricing based on organization type and data needs

CargoSmart

  • No pricing published on website
  • Pricing model not disclosed
  • Requires direct contact with sales
  • No free trial or freemium tier mentioned

Pricing, plan by plan

Baltic Exchange

$500/month
  • Data Services$1500/month
    • Freight indices
    • Market assessments
    • Historical data

CargoSmart

Free
  • Professional$299/month
    • Unlimited tracking
    • ETA predictions
    • Analytics

Which should you pick?

Choose Baltic Exchange if

  • You need freight indices.
  • You work on Web, Api.
  • You also want market assessments.
Baltic Exchange review

Choose CargoSmart if

  • You need real-time tracking.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Api.
  • You also want eta predictions.
CargoSmart review

Questions people ask

Is Baltic Exchange or CargoSmart better?
Neither clearly leads. Baltic Exchange starts at $500/month and CargoSmart at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Baltic Exchange or CargoSmart?
CargoSmart has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $500/month for Baltic Exchange and Free for CargoSmart.
Does Baltic Exchange or CargoSmart run on more platforms?
Baltic Exchange runs on Web, Api. CargoSmart runs on Web, Ios, Android, Api.
Can I use CargoSmart for free?
Yes. CargoSmart has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Baltic Exchange starts at $500/month.
What is Baltic Exchange best used for?
Baltic Exchange is most often used for shipping market freight data and indices, freight derivatives trading, vessel investment decision making, dry bulk and tanker rate assessments. Of those, shipping market freight data and indices and freight derivatives trading are not what CargoSmart is typically brought in for.
What can Baltic Exchange do that CargoSmart cannot?
Baltic Exchange covers Freight indices, Market assessments, Forward curves, Historical data. CargoSmart covers Real-time tracking, ETA predictions, Exception management, Carbon tracking. Both handle Web support, Api support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Baltic Exchange: How much does Baltic Exchange membership cost?

Baltic Exchange does not publish pricing on their website. Membership and data service pricing is customized and requires direct contact with the organization.

Source
CargoSmart: How much does CargoSmart cost?

CargoSmart does not publish pricing on its website. Pricing is customized based on specific requirements and must be obtained by contacting their sales team directly.

Source
Baltic Exchange: What services does Baltic Exchange provide?

Baltic Exchange provides shipping market data services including daily published indices (200+), freight derivatives trading facilities, member fixtures database, and analytical tools for shipping professionals.

Source
CargoSmart: Does CargoSmart offer a free trial?

CargoSmart's website does not mention a free trial or freemium tier. Pricing and trial availability must be discussed with their sales team.

Source
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