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Maritime · head to head

CargoSmart vs Spire Global Maritime

CargoSmart logo

CargoSmart

Maritime

Global shipment visibility and intelligence

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Spire Global Maritime logo

Spire Global Maritime

Maritime

Satellite-powered maritime data and analytics

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; Spire Global Maritime now part of Kpler rather than Spire, and spire.com/maritime redirects into the Kpler site
  • They diverge on capability: CargoSmart covers Real-time tracking, Spire Global Maritime covers Satellite AIS tracking.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which CargoSmart and Spire Global Maritime actually diverge.

Attributes where CargoSmart and Spire Global Maritime differ
AttributeCargoSmartSpire Global Maritime
Starting priceFree$500/month
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Ios, Android, ApiApi, Web
Founded20002012

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 Spire Global Maritime

  • Satellite AIS tracking
  • Global coverage
  • Predictive analytics
  • Dark vessel detection
  • REST API
  • Streaming API
  • AWS S3
  • Snowflake

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 Spire Global Maritime
  • Shipping and supply chain coordinationnot Spire Global Maritime
  • Freight forwarding servicesnot Spire Global Maritime

Spire Global Maritime

  • Satellite and terrestrial AIS vessel trackingnot CargoSmart
  • Predicted destinations, ETAs and arrival eventsnot CargoSmart
  • Historical AIS going back more than ten yearsnot CargoSmart
  • Vessel particulars and ownership lookupsnot CargoSmart
  • Sanctions and insurance screening against vessel movementsnot 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

Spire Global Maritime

  • Now part of Kpler rather than Spire, and spire.com/maritime redirects into the Kpler site
  • Pricing is not published
  • Sold as a data feed to be consumed through APIs, Snowflake, NMEA streams or FTP, so it needs engineering work before it is useful

Pricing, plan by plan

CargoSmart

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

Spire Global Maritime

$500/month
  • Professional$2000/month
    • Low-latency data
    • Behavior analytics
    • Predictive ETAs

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 Spire Global Maritime if

  • You need satellite ais tracking.
  • You work on Api, Web.
  • You also want global coverage.
Spire Global Maritime review

Questions people ask

Is CargoSmart or Spire Global Maritime better?
Neither clearly leads. CargoSmart starts at Free and Spire Global Maritime at $500/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, CargoSmart or Spire Global Maritime?
CargoSmart has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for CargoSmart and $500/month for Spire Global Maritime.
Does CargoSmart or Spire Global Maritime run on more platforms?
CargoSmart runs on Web, Ios, Android, Api. Spire Global Maritime runs on Api, Web.
Can I use CargoSmart for free?
Yes. CargoSmart has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Spire Global Maritime 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 Spire Global Maritime is typically brought in for.
What can CargoSmart do that Spire Global Maritime cannot?
CargoSmart covers Real-time tracking, ETA predictions, Exception management, Carbon tracking. Spire Global Maritime covers Satellite AIS tracking, Global coverage, Predictive analytics, Dark vessel detection. 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
Spire Global Maritime: What maritime data does Spire Global provide?

Spire Global maritime services provide satellite-based vessel tracking and monitoring. The platform offers real-time data on ship locations, movements, and maritime activities for commercial and government use.

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
Spire Global Maritime: How much does Spire Global Maritime cost?

Spire Global does not publish standard pricing for maritime data services. Pricing is determined based on data access level, update frequency, and specific use case. Customers should contact Spire directly for custom quotes.

Source
Spire Global Maritime: What industries use Spire's maritime data?

Spire Global maritime data serves shipping companies, maritime insurance, government agencies, and maritime research organizations. The service supports vessel tracking, compliance monitoring, and maritime intelligence operations.

Source
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