Maritime · head to head
FleetMon vs MDS Transmodal
The short version
- Only FleetMon has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: FleetMon service discontinued in January 2024 and fully phased out with transition to MarineTraffic; MDS Transmodal no pricing published on website, consulting-based engagement only
- They diverge on capability: FleetMon covers Global vessel tracking, MDS Transmodal covers Container trade data.
- Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which FleetMon and MDS Transmodal actually diverge.
| Attribute | FleetMon | MDS Transmodal |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | $600/month |
| Pricing model | freemium | subscription |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Web, Ios, Android | Web |
| Founded | 2007 | 1988 |
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 FleetMon
- Global vessel tracking
- Fleet management
- Voyage tracking
- REST API
- Webhooks
- Ios support
- Android support
Only in MDS Transmodal
- Container trade data
- Intermodal analysis
- Custom research
- Custom reports
Both cover
- Port statistics
- Data exports
- Web support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
FleetMon
No use cases recorded yet. See the FleetMon review.
MDS Transmodal
- Transport market feasibility studies and demand forecasting for new opportunitiesnot FleetMon
- Infrastructure planning and transport network capacity analysisnot FleetMon
- Due diligence and risk assessment for freight investment decisionsnot FleetMon
- Freight sector policy analysis and regulatory impact evaluationnot FleetMon
- Quantitative modeling across maritime, rail, road, and logisticsnot FleetMon
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
FleetMon
- Service discontinued in January 2024 and fully phased out with transition to MarineTraffic
- Free tier coverage was limited compared to premium plans requiring subscription fees
- Data gaps in regions with poor terrestrial AIS infrastructure before satellite coverage was added
MDS Transmodal
- No pricing published on website, consulting-based engagement only
- Requires direct contact and negotiation for each project engagement
- Results and services dependent on consultant experience and proprietary databases
- Not a self-service platform, requires human expertise and custom analysis
Pricing, plan by plan
FleetMon
Free- Professional$19/month
- Unlimited fleet tracking
- API access
- Historical data
MDS Transmodal
$600/month- Data Access$1200/month
- Container data
- Port statistics
- Trade flows
Which should you pick?
Choose FleetMon if
- You need global vessel tracking.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Ios, Android.
- You also want fleet management.
Choose MDS Transmodal if
- You need container trade data.
- You also want intermodal analysis.
Questions people ask
- Is FleetMon or MDS Transmodal better?
- Neither clearly leads. FleetMon starts at Free and MDS Transmodal at $600/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, FleetMon or MDS Transmodal?
- FleetMon has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for FleetMon and $600/month for MDS Transmodal.
- Does FleetMon or MDS Transmodal run on more platforms?
- FleetMon runs on Web, Ios, Android. MDS Transmodal runs on Web.
- Can I use FleetMon for free?
- Yes. FleetMon has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. MDS Transmodal starts at $600/month.
- What can FleetMon do that MDS Transmodal cannot?
- FleetMon covers Global vessel tracking, Fleet management, Voyage tracking, REST API. MDS Transmodal covers Container trade data, Intermodal analysis, Custom research, Custom reports. Both handle Port statistics, Data exports, Web support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
FleetMon: Does FleetMon work globally?
FleetMon had access to positions from both terrestrial AIS receiver stations and satellite AIS through partnership with exactEarth, providing undelayed signals from its network combined with global space-based tracking.
SourceMDS Transmodal: How much does MDS Transmodal cost?
MDS Transmodal does not publish pricing on its website. It is a consulting firm providing bespoke strategic advice. Pricing is quote-based and depends on project scope, duration, data requirements, and consultant time allocation. Contact them directly to discuss your specific transport economics needs.
SourceFleetMon: What happened to FleetMon after 2024?
FleetMon was phased out from January 2024 as part of its integration into MarineTraffic following Kpler's acquisition of both platforms in March 2023. The FleetMon brand no longer accepts new registrations or offers new services.
SourceMDS Transmodal: Does MDS Transmodal offer a software platform or only consulting?
MDS Transmodal is primarily a transport economics consulting firm, not a software vendor. They provide strategic consulting, quantitative analysis, and modeling services. While they maintain proprietary databases and models, they do not offer a self-service software platform.
SourceFleetMon: Could you track individual vessels in real-time with FleetMon?
Yes, FleetMon Explorer provided live AIS vessel tracking with filtering by vessel class, flag, length, speed, navigational status and signal age, enabling real-time monitoring of individual ships from a global overview to single vessel level.
SourceMDS Transmodal: Does MDS Transmodal cover all transportation modes?
Yes. MDS Transmodal provides analysis and consulting across road, rail, air, and maritime freight sectors. Their expertise spans port connectivity, global shipping networks, trade corridor analysis, and multi-modal supply chain optimization for clients worldwide.
SourceFleetMon: What was the starting price for FleetMon Explorer?
FleetMon Explorer pricing started at €54 per month, with subscription plans offering varying levels of access including free basic plans and paid tiers with additional features like historical tracking up to three years back.
SourceRelated pages
More on MDS Transmodal
Other head to heads
- FleetMon vs MarineTraffic
- FleetMon vs exactEarth
- FleetMon vs Kongsberg Maritime
- FleetMon vs Nautilus Labs
- FleetMon vs VesselFinder
- FleetMon vs ShipNet
- FleetMon vs Helm Operations
- FleetMon vs DNV Maritime
- FleetMon vs Wartsila Voyage
- FleetMon vs NAPA Fleet Intelligence
- FleetMon vs Pole Star Global
- FleetMon vs ChartCo
- FleetMon vs SpeedyDock
- FleetMon vs CargoSmart
- FleetMon vs Danaos
- FleetMon vs INTTRA
- FleetMon vs Lloyd's List Intelligence
- FleetMon vs Sea Machines
- FleetMon vs Linerlytica
- FleetMon vs Sea-Intelligence
- FleetMon vs Clarksons
- FleetMon vs Flexport
- FleetMon vs ORBCOMM
- FleetMon vs Terminal49
- FleetMon vs Kaleris
- FleetMon vs Kongsberg Vessel Insight
- FleetMon vs Portcast
- MDS Transmodal vs MarineTraffic
- MDS Transmodal vs exactEarth
- MDS Transmodal vs Kongsberg Maritime
- MDS Transmodal vs Nautilus Labs
- MDS Transmodal vs VesselFinder
- MDS Transmodal vs ShipNet
- MDS Transmodal vs Helm Operations
- MDS Transmodal vs DNV Maritime
- MDS Transmodal vs Wartsila Voyage
- MDS Transmodal vs NAPA Fleet Intelligence
- MDS Transmodal vs Pole Star Global
- MDS Transmodal vs ChartCo
- MDS Transmodal vs SpeedyDock
- MDS Transmodal vs CargoSmart
- MDS Transmodal vs Danaos
- MDS Transmodal vs INTTRA
- MDS Transmodal vs Lloyd's List Intelligence
- MDS Transmodal vs Sea Machines
- MDS Transmodal vs Linerlytica
- MDS Transmodal vs Sea-Intelligence
- MDS Transmodal vs Clarksons
- MDS Transmodal vs Flexport
- MDS Transmodal vs ORBCOMM
- MDS Transmodal vs Terminal49
- MDS Transmodal vs Kaleris
- MDS Transmodal vs Kongsberg Vessel Insight
- MDS Transmodal vs Portcast

