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Maritime · head to head

Bearing AI vs Windward

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
Windward logo

Windward

Maritime

AI-powered maritime risk intelligence

From
$3000/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • 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.; Windward requires embedded expert analysts for actionable intelligence; cannot operate fully autonomously
  • They diverge on capability: Bearing AI covers Vessel-specific consumption models, Windward covers AI-powered risk scoring.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Bearing AI and Windward differ
AttributeBearing AIWindward
Starting priceOn request$3000/month
Pricing modelquotesubscription
PlatformsWeb, Cloud, APIWeb, Api
FoundedUnknown1996

Identical on both: free tier (No), 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 Windward

  • AI-powered risk scoring
  • Sanctions compliance
  • Ship-to-ship detection
  • Dark activity alerts
  • Compliance systems
  • Trading platforms
  • Banking systems
  • Web 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 Windward
  • Projecting a vessel CII rating for a planned trading pattern before committing to itnot Windward
  • Identifying which sister ship in a series is underperforming because of hull condition rather than routingnot Windward
  • Feeding realistic consumption predictions into an existing voyage optimisation platform through an APInot Windward

Windward

  • Detecting vessel spoofing using multi-sensor AIS, dark vessel signals, and satellite datanot Bearing AI
  • Conducting UN sanctions investigations for North Korea maritime compliancenot Bearing AI
  • Performing financial AML and sanctions screening for maritime transactionsnot Bearing AI
  • Identifying drug smuggling routes in international shipping networksnot Bearing AI
  • Tracking port delays and causes in real-time shipping visibilitynot 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.

Windward

  • Requires embedded expert analysts for actionable intelligence; cannot operate fully autonomously
  • Platform focuses on specific maritime regions (Strait of Hormuz, Somali piracy zones); may not provide equally robust global coverage
  • Classified as unclassified and shareable, limiting penetration into highly classified defense operations
  • API-dependent architecture (GraphQL-based) may create integration complexity for some organizations
  • Multi-source data integration can be resource-intensive for organizations lacking dedicated intelligence staff

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

Windward

$3000/month
  • Professional$7500/month
    • Behavioral analytics
    • Dark activity detection
    • API access

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 Windward if

  • You need ai-powered risk scoring.
  • You work on Web, Api.
  • You also want sanctions compliance.
Windward review

Questions people ask

Is Bearing AI or Windward better?
Neither clearly leads. Bearing AI starts at On request and Windward at $3000/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Bearing AI or Windward?
Bearing AI starts at On request and Windward at $3000/month.
Does Bearing AI or Windward run on more platforms?
Bearing AI runs on Web, Cloud, API. Windward runs on Web, Api.
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 Windward is typically brought in for.
What can Bearing AI do that Windward cannot?
Bearing AI covers Vessel-specific consumption models, Speed optimisation, Emissions forecasting, Voyage evaluation. Windward covers AI-powered risk scoring, Sanctions compliance, Ship-to-ship detection, Dark activity alerts.

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.

Windward: Does Windward provide autonomous intelligence or does it require human analysts?

Windward requires expert analysts to embed directly in your mission to deliver intelligence-ready products. The platform supports analyst workflows but cannot operate fully autonomously.

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.

Windward: What data sources does Windward use beyond AIS?

Windward integrates multiple data sources including AIS, dark vessel signals, Earth Observation (EO), Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), and RF signals to provide multi-sensor maritime intelligence where AIS alone is insufficient.

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.

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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