Softwr

Maritime · head to head

CargoSmart vs Kaleris

CargoSmart logo

CargoSmart

Maritime

Global shipment visibility and intelligence

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Kaleris logo

Kaleris

Maritime

Terminal operating, yard, rail and vessel software assembled from acquired supply chain brands

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only CargoSmart has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: CargoSmart no pricing published on website; Kaleris the portfolio was assembled by acquisition, so the single platform description is commercial rather than technical, and connecting two Kaleris products often requires professional services and a custom interface.
  • They diverge on capability: CargoSmart covers Real-time tracking, Kaleris covers Terminal operating system.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which CargoSmart and Kaleris actually diverge.

Attributes where CargoSmart and Kaleris differ
AttributeCargoSmartKaleris
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelsubscriptionquote
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Ios, Android, ApiWeb, On-premise, Private cloud
Founded2000Unknown

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 CargoSmart

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

Only in Kaleris

  • Terminal operating system
  • Yard management
  • Transportation management
  • Carrier and vessel solutions
  • Rail visibility
  • Maintenance and repair operations
  • Execution and visibility platform
  • Equipment control integration

What people use each for

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

CargoSmart

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

Kaleris

  • A container terminal replacing a legacy or in-house terminal operating system before an automation programmenot CargoSmart
  • A port authority standardising several terminals on one operating system and reporting layernot CargoSmart
  • An ocean carrier that needs stowage planning and vessel performance tooling alongside terminal systemsnot CargoSmart
  • A rail or intermodal operator trying to reduce demurrage exposure with asset level visibilitynot CargoSmart

Where each one falls short

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

CargoSmart

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

Kaleris

  • The portfolio was assembled by acquisition, so the single platform description is commercial rather than technical, and connecting two Kaleris products often requires professional services and a custom interface.
  • A terminal operating system implementation runs 12 to 24 months with parallel operation, and the software licence is a minor line next to integration, equipment interfaces and retraining crane and gate staff.
  • Private equity ownership means the roadmap is shaped by acquisition strategy and an eventual exit, and a terminal signing a decade-long dependency has no visibility of who the next owner will be.
  • Configuration expertise is concentrated in the vendor and a small consultancy pool, so terminals end up buying vendor services for changes an internal team should be able to make.
  • The strength is container handling, and bulk, breakbulk and ro-ro terminals get a thinner functional fit that has to be closed with configuration and workarounds.

Pricing, plan by plan

CargoSmart

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

Kaleris

On request
  • Kaleris platform$undefined/year
    • Quoted per site, by throughput and modules taken
    • Implementation and integration services are the larger share of first-year cost
    • Equipment and gate interfaces scoped and priced individually

Which should you pick?

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

Choose Kaleris if

  • You need terminal operating system.
  • You work on Web, On-premise, Private cloud.
  • You also want yard management.
Kaleris review

Questions people ask

Is CargoSmart or Kaleris better?
Neither clearly leads. CargoSmart starts at Free and Kaleris at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, CargoSmart or Kaleris?
CargoSmart has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for CargoSmart and On request for Kaleris.
Does CargoSmart or Kaleris run on more platforms?
CargoSmart runs on Web, Ios, Android, Api. Kaleris runs on Web, On-premise, Private cloud.
Can I use CargoSmart for free?
Yes. CargoSmart has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Kaleris starts at On request.
What is CargoSmart best used for?
CargoSmart is most often used for logistics and cargo management, shipping and supply chain coordination, freight forwarding services. Of those, logistics and cargo management and shipping and supply chain coordination are not what Kaleris is typically brought in for.
What can CargoSmart do that Kaleris cannot?
CargoSmart covers Real-time tracking, ETA predictions, Exception management, Carbon tracking. Kaleris covers Terminal operating system, Yard management, Transportation management, Carrier and vessel solutions.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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
Kaleris: Is Kaleris the same thing as Navis?

No. Navis is the terminal operating system product line, now owned by Kaleris after Cargotec sold it to Accel-KKR in 2021. Kaleris is the parent group and sells several other product lines alongside it.

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
Kaleris: Who owns Kaleris?

It is backed by the private equity firm Accel-KKR and assembled from acquired software businesses.

Kaleris: How long does a terminal operating system deployment take?

Plan for 12 to 24 months at a working container terminal, including parallel running. Anything shorter usually means a limited scope or a small facility.

Kaleris: Does it suit bulk or breakbulk terminals?

Less well. The functional depth is in container handling, and other cargo types require significant configuration.

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