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Maritime · head to head

Container xChange vs Sea Machines

Container xChange logo

Container xChange

Maritime

Container logistics marketplace

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Sea Machines logo

Sea Machines

Maritime

Autonomous vessel control systems

From
$50000/one-time
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Container xChange has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Container xChange leasing plans require a 12 month commitment; Sea Machines requires hardware fitted to the vessel; the autonomy systems are retrofits or new build installations rather than a software purchase
  • They diverge on capability: Container xChange covers Container trading, Sea Machines covers Autonomous control.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Container xChange and Sea Machines actually diverge.

Attributes where Container xChange and Sea Machines differ
AttributeContainer xChangeSea Machines
Starting priceFree$50000/one-time
Pricing modelsubscriptionone-time
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, ApiEmbedded, Web, Mobile
Founded20172015

Identical on both: 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 Container xChange

  • Container trading
  • Leasing marketplace
  • Tracking
  • Payment processing
  • TMS platforms
  • Container depots
  • Shipping lines
  • Api support

Only in Sea Machines

  • Autonomous control
  • Remote operation
  • Collision avoidance
  • Pattern following
  • Vessel systems
  • Communication networks
  • Shore-based control
  • Embedded support

Both cover

  • Web support

What people use each for

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

Container xChange

  • Buying and selling shipping containers through an online marketplacenot Sea Machines
  • One way SOC container leasing between depot locationsnot Sea Machines

Sea Machines

  • Intelligent voyage and transit autonomy for workboatsnot Container xChange
  • Pattern autonomy for survey and repetitive route worknot Container xChange
  • Collision avoidance using the AI-ris computer vision sensornot Container xChange
  • Remote command and control of vessels, including in GPS denied environmentsnot Container xChange
  • Fleet management and telemetry through Fleetviewer and the SMLINK APIsnot Container xChange

Where each one falls short

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

Container xChange

  • Leasing plans require a 12 month commitment
  • Leasing Basic at $399 a month caps at 10 containers, and Leasing Premium at $649 a month caps at 100
  • The Professional Trading Buyer plan is $399 a month and billed annually
  • Listing as a container owner or wholesaler is $899 a month
  • The fulfilment service is commission based with no published rate, and is limited to the USA and Canada

Sea Machines

  • Requires hardware fitted to the vessel; the autonomy systems are retrofits or new build installations rather than a software purchase
  • Targeted at vessels from 10 to 300 ft, so it does not address the largest commercial tonnage
  • Pricing is not published and is arranged directly with the vendor
  • The SM300-NG is the class-approved unit, so the cheaper SM300-SP does not carry the same approval

Pricing, plan by plan

Container xChange

Free
  • Online Broker App & Broker Support (Container Retailers)Free
    • Browse 29,000+ containers
    • Real-time inventory access
    • Self-serve platform
  • Professional Trading Buyer (Container Retailers)$399/month
    • Unlimited container purchases
    • Zero transaction costs
    • Access to 2,500+ locations
  • International Trading Marketplace (Owners/Wholesalers)$899/month
    • Unlimited listings and sales
    • Access to 1,000+ buyers
    • Self-serve management
  • Leasing Basic (Container Leasing)$399/month
    • SOC container one-way leasing
    • Market price visibility
    • Company profiles

Sea Machines

$50000/one-time
  • SM300$75000/one-time
    • Autonomous control
    • Collision avoidance
    • Remote operation

Which should you pick?

Choose Container xChange if

  • You need container trading.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Api.
  • You also want leasing marketplace.
Container xChange review

Choose Sea Machines if

  • You need autonomous control.
  • You work on Embedded, Web, Mobile.
  • You also want remote operation.
Sea Machines review

Questions people ask

Is Container xChange or Sea Machines better?
Neither clearly leads. Container xChange starts at Free and Sea Machines at $50000/one-time, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Container xChange or Sea Machines?
Container xChange has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Container xChange and $50000/one-time for Sea Machines.
Does Container xChange or Sea Machines run on more platforms?
Container xChange runs on Web, Api. Sea Machines runs on Embedded, Web, Mobile.
Can I use Container xChange for free?
Yes. Container xChange has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Sea Machines starts at $50000/one-time.
What is Container xChange best used for?
Container xChange is most often used for buying and selling shipping containers through an online marketplace, one way soc container leasing between depot locations. Of those, buying and selling shipping containers through an online marketplace and one way soc container leasing between depot locations are not what Sea Machines is typically brought in for.
What can Container xChange do that Sea Machines cannot?
Container xChange covers Container trading, Leasing marketplace, Tracking, Payment processing. Sea Machines covers Autonomous control, Remote operation, Collision avoidance, Pattern following. Both handle Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Container xChange: Does container-xchange offer a free plan?

Yes, xChange offers a free Online Broker App tier available in the USA and Canada. The free tier includes browsing 29,000+ containers, real-time inventory, self-serve platform access, and expert broker assistance without transaction costs.

Source
Sea Machines: How much does Sea Machines cost?

Pricing is not published. Sea Machines requires customers to contact their sales team directly through the Contact Us link on their website for pricing quotes tailored to specific products and use cases.

Source
Container xChange: What is the lowest paid plan cost on container-xchange?

The lowest-cost paid plan is Professional Trading Buyer at $399 per month (paid annually) for container retailers, providing unlimited purchases with zero transaction costs and access to 2,500+ locations.

Source
Sea Machines: What is the pricing model for Sea Machines products?

Sea Machines offers autonomy systems and software solutions for maritime vessels. Pricing is determined on a per-product basis through direct sales consultation rather than published subscription tiers.

Source
Container xChange: What container limits do leasing plans include?

Leasing Basic supports up to 10 containers at $399/month, while Leasing Premium supports up to 100 containers at $649/month, both billed annually with monthly commitment.

Source
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