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Maritime · head to head

Container xChange vs VesselFinder

Container xChange logo

Container xChange

Maritime

Container logistics marketplace

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: Container xChange leasing plans require a 12 month commitment; 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: Container xChange covers Container trading, VesselFinder covers Real-time tracking.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Container xChange and VesselFinder actually diverge.

Attributes where Container xChange and VesselFinder differ
AttributeContainer xChangeVesselFinder
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
PlatformsWeb, ApiWeb, Ios, Android
Founded20172011

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 Container xChange

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

Only in VesselFinder

  • Real-time tracking
  • Vessel database
  • Port information
  • Weather overlay
  • API access
  • Mobile apps
  • Ios support
  • Android 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 VesselFinder
  • One way SOC container leasing between depot locationsnot VesselFinder

VesselFinder

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

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

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

VesselFinder

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

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 VesselFinder if

  • You need real-time tracking.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want vessel database.
VesselFinder review

Questions people ask

Is Container xChange or VesselFinder better?
Neither clearly leads. Container xChange 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, Container xChange or VesselFinder?
Container xChange starts at Free and VesselFinder at Free.
Does Container xChange or VesselFinder run on more platforms?
Container xChange runs on Web, Api. VesselFinder runs on Web, Ios, Android.
Can I use Container xChange for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
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 VesselFinder is typically brought in for.
What can Container xChange do that VesselFinder cannot?
Container xChange covers Container trading, Leasing marketplace, Tracking, Payment processing. VesselFinder covers Real-time tracking, Vessel database, Port information, Weather overlay. 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
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
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
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
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
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
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