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Maritime · head to head

FourKites vs VesselFinder

FourKites logo

FourKites

Maritime

Real-time supply chain visibility

From
$2000/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
VesselFinder logo

VesselFinder

Maritime

Free AIS vessel tracking web site

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only VesselFinder has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • 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; 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: FourKites covers Predictive ETAs, VesselFinder covers Vessel database.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which FourKites and VesselFinder actually diverge.

Attributes where FourKites and VesselFinder differ
AttributeFourKitesVesselFinder
Starting price$2000/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, Ios, Android, ApiWeb, Ios, Android
Founded20142011

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 FourKites

  • Predictive ETAs
  • Exception alerts
  • Yard management
  • TMS platforms
  • ERP systems
  • WMS
  • Api support

Only in VesselFinder

  • Vessel database
  • Port information
  • Weather overlay
  • API access
  • Mobile apps

Both cover

  • Real-time tracking
  • Web support
  • Ios support
  • Android 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 VesselFinder
  • Creating shipments automatically from supplier documents and linking to POsnot VesselFinder
  • Scheduling dock appointments and rescheduling based on shipment ETAsnot VesselFinder
  • Resolving shipment inquiry questions automatically without escalationnot VesselFinder
  • Collecting missing proof-of-delivery documents across multiple channelsnot VesselFinder

VesselFinder

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

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

FourKites

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

VesselFinder

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

Which should you pick?

Choose FourKites if

  • You need predictive etas.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Api.
  • You also want exception alerts.
FourKites review

Choose VesselFinder if

  • You need vessel database.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want port information.
VesselFinder review

Questions people ask

Is FourKites or VesselFinder better?
Neither clearly leads. FourKites starts at $2000/month and VesselFinder at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, FourKites or VesselFinder?
VesselFinder has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $2000/month for FourKites and Free for VesselFinder.
Does FourKites or VesselFinder run on more platforms?
FourKites runs on Web, Ios, Android, Api. VesselFinder runs on Web, Ios, Android.
Can I use VesselFinder for free?
Yes. VesselFinder has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. FourKites starts at $2000/month.
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 VesselFinder is typically brought in for.
What can FourKites do that VesselFinder cannot?
FourKites covers Predictive ETAs, Exception alerts, Yard management, TMS platforms. VesselFinder covers Vessel database, Port information, Weather overlay, API access. Both handle Real-time tracking, Web support, Ios support, Android 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
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
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
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
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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