Softwr

Maritime · head to head

CargoSmart vs VesselFinder

CargoSmart logo

CargoSmart

Maritime

Global shipment visibility and intelligence

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
VesselFinder logo

VesselFinder

Maritime

Free AIS vessel tracking web site

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: CargoSmart no pricing published on website; 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: CargoSmart covers ETA predictions, VesselFinder covers Vessel database.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which CargoSmart and VesselFinder actually diverge.

Attributes where CargoSmart and VesselFinder differ
AttributeCargoSmartVesselFinder
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
PlatformsWeb, Ios, Android, ApiWeb, Ios, Android
Founded20002011

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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

  • ETA predictions
  • Exception management
  • Carbon tracking
  • SAP TM
  • Oracle
  • Shipping lines
  • TMS
  • Api support

Only in VesselFinder

  • Vessel database
  • Port information
  • Weather overlay
  • API access
  • Mobile apps

Both cover

  • Real-time tracking
  • Web support
  • Ios support
  • Android support

What people use each for

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

CargoSmart

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

VesselFinder

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

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

CargoSmart

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

VesselFinder

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

Which should you pick?

Choose CargoSmart if

  • You need eta predictions.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Api.
  • You also want exception management.
CargoSmart review

Choose VesselFinder if

  • You need vessel database.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want port information.
VesselFinder review

Questions people ask

Is CargoSmart or VesselFinder better?
Neither clearly leads. CargoSmart starts at Free and VesselFinder at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, CargoSmart or VesselFinder?
CargoSmart starts at Free and VesselFinder at Free.
Does CargoSmart or VesselFinder run on more platforms?
CargoSmart runs on Web, Ios, Android, Api. VesselFinder runs on Web, Ios, Android.
Can I use CargoSmart for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
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 VesselFinder is typically brought in for.
What can CargoSmart do that VesselFinder cannot?
CargoSmart covers ETA predictions, Exception management, Carbon tracking, SAP TM. VesselFinder covers Vessel database, Port information, Weather overlay, API access. Both handle Real-time tracking, Web support, Ios support, Android 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
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
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
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
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
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
Share

Related pages

More on CargoSmart

More on VesselFinder

Keep looking

Other head to heads