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Maritime · head to head

Bearing AI vs MarineTraffic

Bearing AI logo

Bearing AI

Maritime

Machine learning vessel performance models for voyage and commercial decisions, embedded in partner platforms

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
MarineTraffic logo

MarineTraffic

Maritime

Global ship tracking intelligence

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only MarineTraffic has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Bearing AI bearing increasingly reaches customers embedded in partner platforms such as StormGeo, so the contract, support path and commercial relationship may be with the partner rather than with Bearing.; MarineTraffic specific numeric prices for the Basic/Essential tiers are not published on a directly accessible page (plans pages are bot-protected)
  • They diverge on capability: Bearing AI covers Vessel-specific consumption models, MarineTraffic covers Real-time vessel tracking.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Bearing AI and MarineTraffic actually diverge.

Attributes where Bearing AI and MarineTraffic differ
AttributeBearing AIMarineTraffic
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelquoteUnknown
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, Cloud, APIWeb, iOS, Android, API
FoundedUnknown2007

Identical on both: 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 Bearing AI

  • Vessel-specific consumption models
  • Speed optimisation
  • Emissions forecasting
  • Voyage evaluation
  • AIS-derived data
  • Weather-aware routing inputs
  • Fleet benchmarking
  • Partner platform embedding

Only in MarineTraffic

  • Real-time vessel tracking
  • Global AIS coverage
  • Voyage history
  • Port call data
  • ETA predictions
  • REST API
  • Google Earth
  • GIS systems

What people use each for

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

Bearing AI

  • A chartering desk evaluating fixtures against learned consumption rather than a delivery-era speed and consumption tablenot MarineTraffic
  • Projecting a vessel CII rating for a planned trading pattern before committing to itnot MarineTraffic
  • Identifying which sister ship in a series is underperforming because of hull condition rather than routingnot MarineTraffic
  • Feeding realistic consumption predictions into an existing voyage optimisation platform through an APInot MarineTraffic

MarineTraffic

  • Real-time vessel trackingnot Bearing AI
  • Port call and ETA tracking for logisticsnot Bearing AI
  • Fleet monitoring for shipping and charteringnot Bearing AI
  • Maritime research and analytics via API feedsnot Bearing AI
  • Vessel and company database lookupsnot Bearing AI

Where each one falls short

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

Bearing AI

  • Bearing increasingly reaches customers embedded in partner platforms such as StormGeo, so the contract, support path and commercial relationship may be with the partner rather than with Bearing.
  • Model accuracy depends on the volume and honesty of historical voyage data, and fleets with sparse or inaccurate noon reporting get materially weaker vessel-specific models.
  • It is a modelling layer rather than a voyage management system of record, so it must be bought alongside a platform that handles the operational workflow.
  • As a venture-funded specialist with a small headcount, its long-term independence is uncertain, and a modelling layer inside someone else product is a fragile position if a partnership lapses.
  • Nothing is published on pricing or fleet size thresholds, so small owners cannot tell whether they are a viable customer without entering a sales process.

MarineTraffic

  • Specific numeric prices for the Basic/Essential tiers are not published on a directly accessible page (plans pages are bot-protected)
  • Enterprise tier is sales-assisted, quote-only
  • API access is credit-consumption based with cost varying by AIS data source and detail level, making cost opaque
  • Commercial API access now routes through parent company Kpler via demo request

Pricing, plan by plan

Bearing AI

On request
  • Bearing AI$undefined/year
    • Priced per vessel per year on annual agreements
    • Often purchased indirectly as a component of a partner voyage optimisation service
    • Model onboarding requires historical voyage data supplied by the customer

MarineTraffic

Free
  • Basic$undefined/mo
    • Free vessel tracking account
  • Essential$undefined/mo
    • Expanded tracking features
  • Enterprise$undefined/mo
    • Quote-only, sales-assisted

Which should you pick?

Choose Bearing AI if

  • You need vessel-specific consumption models.
  • You work on Web, Cloud, API.
  • You also want speed optimisation.
Bearing AI review

Choose MarineTraffic if

  • You need real-time vessel tracking.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android, API.
  • You also want global ais coverage.
MarineTraffic review

Questions people ask

Is Bearing AI or MarineTraffic better?
Neither clearly leads. Bearing AI starts at On request and MarineTraffic at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Bearing AI or MarineTraffic?
MarineTraffic has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Bearing AI and Free for MarineTraffic.
Does Bearing AI or MarineTraffic run on more platforms?
Bearing AI runs on Web, Cloud, API. MarineTraffic runs on Web, iOS, Android, API.
Can I use MarineTraffic for free?
Yes. MarineTraffic has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Bearing AI starts at On request.
What is Bearing AI best used for?
Bearing AI is most often used for a chartering desk evaluating fixtures against learned consumption rather than a delivery-era speed and consumption table, projecting a vessel cii rating for a planned trading pattern before committing to it, identifying which sister ship in a series is underperforming because of hull condition rather than routing, feeding realistic consumption predictions into an existing voyage optimisation platform through an api. Of those, a chartering desk evaluating fixtures against learned consumption rather than a delivery-era speed and consumption table and projecting a vessel cii rating for a planned trading pattern before committing to it are not what MarineTraffic is typically brought in for.
What can Bearing AI do that MarineTraffic cannot?
Bearing AI covers Vessel-specific consumption models, Speed optimisation, Emissions forecasting, Voyage evaluation. MarineTraffic covers Real-time vessel tracking, Global AIS coverage, Voyage history, Port call data.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Bearing AI: Can I buy Bearing AI directly?

Yes, but a growing share of its distribution is through partners such as StormGeo, where the models are embedded in that vendor voyage optimisation service.

Bearing AI: Does it replace a voyage management system?

No. It is a performance modelling layer that feeds commercial and operational decisions made in another system.

Bearing AI: What data does it need?

Historical voyage data, noon reports and AIS positions, plus weather history. Data quality drives model quality directly.

Bearing AI: Does it cover CII?

Yes, it projects CII ratings from the learned vessel model rather than from nominal consumption figures.

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