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Maritime · head to head

FourKites vs ORBCOMM

FourKites logo

FourKites

Maritime

Real-time supply chain visibility

From
$2000/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
ORBCOMM logo

ORBCOMM

Maritime

IoT solutions for maritime asset tracking

From
$25/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: FourKites no pricing plans or costs published. FourKites operates an Outcome-as-a-Service model and does not publish standard seat-based pricing; ORBCOMM satellite latency of approximately 600 milliseconds limits real-time applications
  • They diverge on capability: FourKites covers Real-time tracking, ORBCOMM covers Satellite tracking.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which FourKites and ORBCOMM actually diverge.

Attributes where FourKites and ORBCOMM differ
AttributeFourKitesORBCOMM
Starting price$2000/month$25/month
PlatformsWeb, Ios, Android, ApiSatellite, Web
Founded20141995

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), 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 FourKites

  • Real-time tracking
  • Predictive ETAs
  • Exception alerts
  • Yard management
  • TMS platforms
  • ERP systems
  • WMS
  • Ios support

Only in ORBCOMM

  • Satellite tracking
  • Container monitoring
  • Cold chain monitoring
  • Fleet telematics
  • TMS systems
  • ERP platforms
  • Warehouse management
  • Mobile support

Both cover

  • Web support
  • Api support

What people use each for

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

FourKites

  • Automating carrier status inquiries in customer service chat and emailnot ORBCOMM
  • Creating shipments automatically from supplier documents and linking to POsnot ORBCOMM
  • Scheduling dock appointments and rescheduling based on shipment ETAsnot ORBCOMM
  • Resolving shipment inquiry questions automatically without escalationnot ORBCOMM
  • Collecting missing proof-of-delivery documents across multiple channelsnot ORBCOMM

ORBCOMM

  • Tracking shipping container temperatures for refrigerated cargonot FourKites
  • Detecting vessel AIS spoofing to identify anomalous maritime activitynot FourKites
  • Monitoring fuel consumption patterns across fleet operationsnot FourKites
  • Screening shipments for sanctions compliance violationsnot FourKites

Where each one falls short

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

FourKites

  • No pricing plans or costs published. FourKites operates an Outcome-as-a-Service model and does not publish standard seat-based pricing
  • Pricing requires direct contact with sales and personalized consultation

ORBCOMM

  • Satellite latency of approximately 600 milliseconds limits real-time applications
  • Higher cost per message compared to terrestrial cellular IoT solutions
  • Coverage remains near-global rather than fully global in all remote regions

Pricing, plan by plan

FourKites

$2000/month
  • Professional$5000/month
    • Multi-modal tracking
    • Predictive ETAs
    • Analytics

ORBCOMM

$25/month
  • Fleet Manager$99/month
    • Real-time tracking
    • Geofencing
    • Reporting

Which should you pick?

Choose FourKites if

  • You need real-time tracking.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Api.
  • You also want predictive etas.
FourKites review

Choose ORBCOMM if

  • You need satellite tracking.
  • You work on Satellite, Web.
  • You also want container monitoring.
ORBCOMM review

Questions people ask

Is FourKites or ORBCOMM better?
Neither clearly leads. FourKites starts at $2000/month and ORBCOMM at $25/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, FourKites or ORBCOMM?
FourKites starts at $2000/month and ORBCOMM at $25/month.
Does FourKites or ORBCOMM run on more platforms?
FourKites runs on Web, Ios, Android, Api. ORBCOMM runs on Satellite, Web.
What is FourKites best used for?
FourKites is most often used for automating carrier status inquiries in customer service chat and email, creating shipments automatically from supplier documents and linking to pos, scheduling dock appointments and rescheduling based on shipment etas, resolving shipment inquiry questions automatically without escalation. Of those, automating carrier status inquiries in customer service chat and email and creating shipments automatically from supplier documents and linking to pos are not what ORBCOMM is typically brought in for.
What can FourKites do that ORBCOMM cannot?
FourKites covers Real-time tracking, Predictive ETAs, Exception alerts, Yard management. ORBCOMM covers Satellite tracking, Container monitoring, Cold chain monitoring, Fleet telematics. Both handle Web support, Api support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

FourKites: What is FourKites' pricing model?

FourKites operates an Outcome-as-a-Service model rather than traditional seat-based pricing. The company states: 'We do not sell seats. We replace work.'

Source
ORBCOMM: What is ORBCOMM's satellite coverage?

ORBCOMM's OGx service provides nearly global coverage across over 160 countries using a constellation of low Earth orbit satellites for two-way messaging and IoT data services.

Source
FourKites: How do I get FourKites pricing?

FourKites does not publish pricing on their website. Customers must contact their sales team through 'Talk to an Outcome Advisor' calls-to-action or contact forms to discuss implementation and pricing.

Source
ORBCOMM: How does satellite IoT compare to cellular connectivity?

ORBCOMM satellite offers immunity from cellular blind spots, network outages, congestion, and weather-related disruptions. However, satellite connectivity introduces approximately 600 milliseconds of round-trip latency.

Source
ORBCOMM: What can ORBCOMM monitor in containers?

ORBCOMM's CT 1010 device provides sensor-based monitoring for container fire detection, unauthorized access alerts, damage detection, and asset visibility, with real-time satellite-based tracking.

Source
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