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FourKites vs Sea Machines

FourKites logo

FourKites

Software

Real-time supply chain visibility

From
$2000/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Sea Machines logo

Sea Machines

Software

Autonomous vessel control systems

From
$50000/one-time
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: FourKites fourKites uses an Outcome-as-a-Service model with no per-seat pricing published; all pricing requires talking to an Outcome Advisor; 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: FourKites covers Real-time tracking, Sea Machines covers Autonomous control.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which FourKites and Sea Machines actually diverge.

Attributes where FourKites and Sea Machines differ
AttributeFourKitesSea Machines
Starting price$2000/month$50000/one-time
Pricing modelsubscriptionone-time
PlatformsWeb, Ios, Android, ApiEmbedded, Web, Mobile
Founded20142015

Identical on both: free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

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 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.

FourKites

No use cases recorded yet. See the FourKites review.

Sea Machines

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

Where each one falls short

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

FourKites

  • FourKites uses an Outcome-as-a-Service model with no per-seat pricing published; all pricing requires talking to an Outcome Advisor

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

FourKites

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

Sea Machines

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

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 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 FourKites or Sea Machines better?
Neither clearly leads. FourKites starts at $2000/month 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, FourKites or Sea Machines?
FourKites starts at $2000/month and Sea Machines at $50000/one-time.
Does FourKites or Sea Machines run on more platforms?
FourKites runs on Web, Ios, Android, Api. Sea Machines runs on Embedded, Web, Mobile.
What can FourKites do that Sea Machines cannot?
FourKites covers Real-time tracking, Predictive ETAs, Exception alerts, Yard management. Sea Machines covers Autonomous control, Remote operation, Collision avoidance, Pattern following. Both handle Web support.
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