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Maritime · head to head

Clarksons vs Pole Star Global

Clarksons logo

Clarksons

Maritime

World's leading shipbroker and data provider

From
$3000/month
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

  • Each has a real cost: Clarksons no pricing published on website; Pole Star Global no public pricing information published
  • They diverge on capability: Clarksons covers Market intelligence, 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 Clarksons and Pole Star Global actually diverge.

Attributes where Clarksons and Pole Star Global differ
AttributeClarksonsPole Star Global
Starting price$3000/month$500/month
Founded18521998

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), platforms (Web, Api), 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 Clarksons

  • Market intelligence
  • Fleet database
  • Freight rates
  • Research reports
  • API
  • Excel add-in
  • Data exports

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.

Clarksons

  • Maritime brokerage and shipping servicesnot Pole Star Global
  • Ship finance and leasingnot Pole Star Global
  • Shipping market researchnot Pole Star Global
  • Port services and operationsnot Pole Star Global

Pole Star Global

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

Where each one falls short

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

Clarksons

  • No pricing published on website
  • Pricing model not disclosed
  • Enterprise maritime services requiring custom quotes
  • Multiple business lines (broking, finance, research, ports, tech) with different pricing
  • Direct sales contact required

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

Clarksons

$3000/month
  • Shipping Intelligence Network$5000/month
    • Market data
    • Fleet database
    • Research reports

Pole Star Global

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

Which should you pick?

Choose Clarksons if

  • You need market intelligence.
  • You work on Web, Api.
  • You also want fleet database.
Clarksons 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 Clarksons or Pole Star Global better?
Neither clearly leads. Clarksons starts at $3000/month 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, Clarksons or Pole Star Global?
Clarksons starts at $3000/month and Pole Star Global at $500/month.
Does Clarksons or Pole Star Global run on more platforms?
Clarksons runs on Web, Api. Pole Star Global runs on Web, API.
What is Clarksons best used for?
Clarksons is most often used for maritime brokerage and shipping services, ship finance and leasing, shipping market research, port services and operations. Of those, maritime brokerage and shipping services and ship finance and leasing are not what Pole Star Global is typically brought in for.
What can Clarksons do that Pole Star Global cannot?
Clarksons covers Market intelligence, Fleet database, Freight rates, Research reports. 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

Clarksons: How much does Clarksons charge for its services?

Clarksons does not publish pricing on its website. The company operates as a marine and shipping services provider with five business lines. Pricing is customized by service line and must be obtained by contacting Clarksons 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
Clarksons: Which Clarksons division should I contact for pricing?

Clarksons has five business divisions: Broking, Financial Services, Research, Port Services, and Technology. Contact their specific department for pricing relevant to your needs.

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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