Software · head to head
ChartCo vs MarineTraffic
The short version
- Only MarineTraffic has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: ChartCo requires specialized maritime knowledge to fully utilize features; MarineTraffic specific numeric prices for the Basic/Essential tiers are not published on a directly accessible page (plans pages are bot-protected)
- They diverge on capability: ChartCo covers Chart management, MarineTraffic covers Real-time vessel tracking.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which ChartCo and MarineTraffic actually diverge.
| Attribute | ChartCo | MarineTraffic |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $300/month | Free |
| Pricing model | subscription | Unknown |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Platforms | Web, Desktop | Web, iOS, Android, API |
| Founded | 1998 | 2007 |
Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
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 ChartCo
- Chart management
- Publication updates
- Compliance tracking
- Fleet administration
- ECDIS
- Fleet management systems
- Procurement
- Windows support
Only in MarineTraffic
- Real-time vessel tracking
- Global AIS coverage
- Voyage history
- Port call data
- ETA predictions
- REST API
- Google Earth
- GIS systems
Both cover
- Web support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
ChartCo
No use cases recorded yet. See the ChartCo review.
MarineTraffic
- Real-time vessel trackingnot ChartCo
- Port call and ETA tracking for logisticsnot ChartCo
- Fleet monitoring for shipping and charteringnot ChartCo
- Maritime research and analytics via API feedsnot ChartCo
- Vessel and company database lookupsnot ChartCo
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
ChartCo
- Requires specialized maritime knowledge to fully utilize features
- High cost for maritime-specific software
MarineTraffic
- Specific numeric prices for the Basic/Essential tiers are not published on a directly accessible page (plans pages are bot-protected)
- Enterprise tier is sales-assisted, quote-only
- API access is credit-consumption based with cost varying by AIS data source and detail level, making cost opaque
- Commercial API access now routes through parent company Kpler via demo request
Pricing, plan by plan
ChartCo
$300/month- OneOcean$600/month
- Chart management
- Publications
- Compliance tracking
MarineTraffic
Free- Basic$undefined/mo
- Free vessel tracking account
- Essential$undefined/mo
- Expanded tracking features
- Enterprise$undefined/mo
- Quote-only, sales-assisted
Which should you pick?
Choose ChartCo if
- You need chart management.
- You work on Web, Desktop.
- You also want publication updates.
Choose MarineTraffic if
- You need real-time vessel tracking.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, iOS, Android, API.
- You also want global ais coverage.
Questions people ask
- Is ChartCo or MarineTraffic better?
- Neither clearly leads. ChartCo starts at $300/month and MarineTraffic at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, ChartCo or MarineTraffic?
- MarineTraffic has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $300/month for ChartCo and Free for MarineTraffic.
- Does ChartCo or MarineTraffic run on more platforms?
- ChartCo runs on Web, Desktop. MarineTraffic runs on Web, iOS, Android, API.
- Can I use MarineTraffic for free?
- Yes. MarineTraffic has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. ChartCo starts at $300/month.
- What can ChartCo do that MarineTraffic cannot?
- ChartCo covers Chart management, Publication updates, Compliance tracking, Fleet administration. MarineTraffic covers Real-time vessel tracking, Global AIS coverage, Voyage history, Port call data. Both handle Web support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
ChartCo: What does ChartCo OneOcean provide?
ChartCo OneOcean is an integrated maritime software platform that combines electronic navigational charts, publications, weather data, and compliance tools for voyage planning and maritime safety.
ChartCo: How many vessels use ChartCo PassageManager?
ChartCo's PassageManager software is used by approximately 6,500 vessels worldwide for passage planning and navigational chart management.
ChartCo: Does ChartCo help with environmental compliance?
Yes, ChartCo OneOcean includes EnviroManager for compliance with MARPOL and regional environmental regulations, helping crews manage waste and minimize discharge risks.