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Maritime · head to head

FourKites vs Pole Star Global

FourKites logo

FourKites

Maritime

Real-time supply chain visibility

From
$2000/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: FourKites no pricing plans or costs published. FourKites operates an Outcome-as-a-Service model and does not publish standard seat-based pricing; Pole Star Global no public pricing information published
  • They diverge on capability: FourKites covers Real-time tracking, 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 FourKites and Pole Star Global actually diverge.

Attributes where FourKites and Pole Star Global differ
AttributeFourKitesPole Star Global
Starting price$2000/month$500/month
PlatformsWeb, Ios, Android, ApiWeb, API
Founded20141998

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
  • WMS
  • Ios support
  • Android support

Only in Pole Star Global

  • Real-time vessel tracking
  • Sanctions screening
  • Compliance monitoring
  • Risk alerts
  • Banking systems
  • Compliance platforms

Both cover

  • ERP systems
  • 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 Pole Star Global
  • Creating shipments automatically from supplier documents and linking to POsnot Pole Star Global
  • Scheduling dock appointments and rescheduling based on shipment ETAsnot Pole Star Global
  • Resolving shipment inquiry questions automatically without escalationnot Pole Star Global
  • Collecting missing proof-of-delivery documents across multiple channelsnot Pole Star Global

Pole Star Global

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

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

FourKites

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

Pole Star Global

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

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 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 FourKites or Pole Star Global better?
Neither clearly leads. FourKites starts at $2000/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, FourKites or Pole Star Global?
FourKites starts at $2000/month and Pole Star Global at $500/month.
Does FourKites or Pole Star Global run on more platforms?
FourKites runs on Web, Ios, Android, Api. Pole Star Global runs on Web, API.
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 Pole Star Global is typically brought in for.
What can FourKites do that Pole Star Global cannot?
FourKites covers Real-time tracking, Predictive ETAs, Exception alerts, Yard management. Pole Star Global covers Real-time vessel tracking, Sanctions screening, Compliance monitoring, Risk alerts. Both handle ERP systems, 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
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
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
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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