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Maritime · head to head

CargoSmart vs Pole Star Global

CargoSmart logo

CargoSmart

Maritime

Global shipment visibility and intelligence

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Pole Star Global logo

Pole Star Global

Maritime

Maritime domain awareness and compliance

From
$500/month
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; Pole Star Global no public pricing information published
  • They diverge on capability: CargoSmart covers Real-time tracking, Pole Star Global covers Real-time vessel tracking.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which CargoSmart and Pole Star Global actually diverge.

Attributes where CargoSmart and Pole Star Global differ
AttributeCargoSmartPole Star Global
Starting priceFree$500/month
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Ios, Android, ApiWeb, API
Founded20001998

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 CargoSmart

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

Only in Pole Star Global

  • Real-time vessel tracking
  • Sanctions screening
  • Compliance monitoring
  • Risk alerts
  • Banking systems
  • Compliance platforms
  • ERP systems

Both cover

  • Web support
  • Api support

What people use each for

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

CargoSmart

  • Logistics and cargo managementnot Pole Star Global
  • Shipping and supply chain coordinationnot Pole Star Global
  • Freight forwarding servicesnot Pole Star Global

Pole Star Global

  • Detecting vessels using spoofed AIS to hide their identitynot CargoSmart
  • Screening ship movements against sanctions lists for compliancenot CargoSmart
  • Optimizing tanker voyage profitability through market rate comparisonnot CargoSmart
  • Tracking perishable cargo temperatures during ocean transitnot 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

Pole Star Global

  • No public pricing information published
  • Requires sales engagement through demo request or local office contact
  • Pricing structure and model not described publicly

Pricing, plan by plan

CargoSmart

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

Pole Star Global

$500/month
  • Professional$1500/month
    • PurpleTRAC platform
    • Sanctions screening
    • Risk assessment

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 Pole Star Global if

  • You need real-time vessel tracking.
  • You work on Web, API.
  • You also want sanctions screening.
Pole Star Global review

Questions people ask

Is CargoSmart or Pole Star Global better?
Neither clearly leads. CargoSmart starts at Free and Pole Star Global at $500/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, CargoSmart or Pole Star Global?
CargoSmart has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for CargoSmart and $500/month for Pole Star Global.
Does CargoSmart or Pole Star Global run on more platforms?
CargoSmart runs on Web, Ios, Android, Api. Pole Star Global runs on Web, API.
Can I use CargoSmart for free?
Yes. CargoSmart has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Pole Star Global starts at $500/month.
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 Pole Star Global is typically brought in for.
What can CargoSmart do that Pole Star Global cannot?
CargoSmart covers Real-time tracking, ETA predictions, Exception management, Carbon tracking. Pole Star Global covers Real-time vessel tracking, Sanctions screening, Compliance monitoring, Risk alerts. Both handle Web support, Api support.

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
Pole Star Global: How do I obtain Pole Star Global pricing?

Pole Star Global does not publish pricing on their website. Contact the sales team via Request Demo button, Customer Support link, or Find A Local Office contact options on their homepage. Source: https://www.polestarglobal.com

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
Pole Star Global: Does Pole Star Global offer a free trial?

Pole Star Global does not describe free trials or evaluation programs on their homepage. Request a demo through their website to inquire about trial availability. Source: https://www.polestarglobal.com

Source
Pole Star Global: What payment model does Pole Star Global use?

Pole Star Global does not publicly disclose pricing structure or billing model (per-seat, usage-based, enterprise, etc.). Direct sales consultation required to discuss payment options. Source: https://www.polestarglobal.com

Source
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