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Maritime · head to head

Bearing AI vs VesselFinder

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
VesselFinder logo

VesselFinder

Maritime

Free AIS vessel tracking web site

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only VesselFinder 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.; VesselFinder aPI access is billed in credits, and a satellite AIS position costs 10 credits against 1 for a terrestrial position
  • They diverge on capability: Bearing AI covers Vessel-specific consumption models, VesselFinder covers Real-time tracking.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Bearing AI and VesselFinder differ
AttributeBearing AIVesselFinder
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelquotefreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, Cloud, APIWeb, Ios, Android
FoundedUnknown2011

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 VesselFinder

  • Real-time tracking
  • Vessel database
  • Port information
  • Weather overlay
  • API access
  • Mobile apps
  • Web support
  • Ios support

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 VesselFinder
  • Projecting a vessel CII rating for a planned trading pattern before committing to itnot VesselFinder
  • Identifying which sister ship in a series is underperforming because of hull condition rather than routingnot VesselFinder
  • Feeding realistic consumption predictions into an existing voyage optimisation platform through an APInot VesselFinder

VesselFinder

  • Tracking vessel positions and voyages from AIS datanot Bearing AI
  • Pulling ship positions and particulars into a logistics or chartering system over an APInot 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.

VesselFinder

  • API access is billed in credits, and a satellite AIS position costs 10 credits against 1 for a terrestrial position
  • Credits expire 12 months after purchase
  • Credit packs start at 330 EUR for 10,000 credits, excluding VAT
  • Tracking a vessel outside terrestrial AIS range multiplies the cost of every position tenfold, so open ocean coverage is the expensive case rather than the standard one

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

VesselFinder

Free
  • Basic$4.99/month
    • Ad-free
    • Extended history
    • Fleet monitoring

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 VesselFinder if

  • You need real-time tracking.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want vessel database.
VesselFinder review

Questions people ask

Is Bearing AI or VesselFinder better?
Neither clearly leads. Bearing AI starts at On request and VesselFinder at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Bearing AI or VesselFinder?
VesselFinder has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Bearing AI and Free for VesselFinder.
Does Bearing AI or VesselFinder run on more platforms?
Bearing AI runs on Web, Cloud, API. VesselFinder runs on Web, Ios, Android.
Can I use VesselFinder for free?
Yes. VesselFinder 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 VesselFinder is typically brought in for.
What can Bearing AI do that VesselFinder cannot?
Bearing AI covers Vessel-specific consumption models, Speed optimisation, Emissions forecasting, Voyage evaluation. VesselFinder covers Real-time tracking, Vessel database, Port information, Weather overlay.

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.

VesselFinder: What are the main pricing tiers for VesselFinder?

VesselFinder offers four tiers: Free (no cost), Basic (4 dollars per month), Premium (34 dollars per month), and Satellite (139 dollars per month).

Source
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.

VesselFinder: What does the Free plan include?

The Free plan provides terrestrial coverage, 1-day track history, a 10-ship fleet capacity, and 100 route planner uses.

Source
Bearing AI: What data does it need?

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

VesselFinder: What tracking capabilities come with the Satellite plan?

The Satellite plan includes both satellite and terrestrial coverage, 90-day track history, 2,000-ship fleet capacity, terminal and berth data, proximity event alerts, and ETA prediction.

Source
Bearing AI: Does it cover CII?

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

VesselFinder: Do subscriptions automatically renew?

No, subscriptions do not renew automatically. Users receive reminder notifications one week before expiration.

Source
VesselFinder: Do the listed prices include VAT?

No, the prices displayed do not include VAT. Payment options include bank transfers and credit or debit cards processed online.

Source
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