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Maritime · head to head

FourKites vs Windward

FourKites logo

FourKites

Maritime

Real-time supply chain visibility

From
$2000/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Windward logo

Windward

Maritime

AI-powered maritime risk intelligence

From
$3000/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; Windward requires embedded expert analysts for actionable intelligence; cannot operate fully autonomously
  • They diverge on capability: FourKites covers Real-time tracking, Windward covers AI-powered risk scoring.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which FourKites and Windward actually diverge.

Attributes where FourKites and Windward differ
AttributeFourKitesWindward
Starting price$2000/month$3000/month
PlatformsWeb, Ios, Android, ApiWeb, Api
Founded20141996

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 Windward

  • AI-powered risk scoring
  • Sanctions compliance
  • Ship-to-ship detection
  • Dark activity alerts
  • Compliance systems
  • Trading platforms
  • Banking systems

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

Windward

  • Detecting vessel spoofing using multi-sensor AIS, dark vessel signals, and satellite datanot FourKites
  • Conducting UN sanctions investigations for North Korea maritime compliancenot FourKites
  • Performing financial AML and sanctions screening for maritime transactionsnot FourKites
  • Identifying drug smuggling routes in international shipping networksnot FourKites
  • Tracking port delays and causes in real-time shipping visibilitynot 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

Windward

  • Requires embedded expert analysts for actionable intelligence; cannot operate fully autonomously
  • Platform focuses on specific maritime regions (Strait of Hormuz, Somali piracy zones); may not provide equally robust global coverage
  • Classified as unclassified and shareable, limiting penetration into highly classified defense operations
  • API-dependent architecture (GraphQL-based) may create integration complexity for some organizations
  • Multi-source data integration can be resource-intensive for organizations lacking dedicated intelligence staff

Pricing, plan by plan

FourKites

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

Windward

$3000/month
  • Professional$7500/month
    • Behavioral analytics
    • Dark activity detection
    • API access

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 Windward if

  • You need ai-powered risk scoring.
  • You work on Web, Api.
  • You also want sanctions compliance.
Windward review

Questions people ask

Is FourKites or Windward better?
Neither clearly leads. FourKites starts at $2000/month and Windward at $3000/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, FourKites or Windward?
FourKites starts at $2000/month and Windward at $3000/month.
Does FourKites or Windward run on more platforms?
FourKites runs on Web, Ios, Android, Api. Windward 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 Windward is typically brought in for.
What can FourKites do that Windward cannot?
FourKites covers Real-time tracking, Predictive ETAs, Exception alerts, Yard management. Windward covers AI-powered risk scoring, Sanctions compliance, Ship-to-ship detection, Dark activity alerts. 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
Windward: Does Windward provide autonomous intelligence or does it require human analysts?

Windward requires expert analysts to embed directly in your mission to deliver intelligence-ready products. The platform supports analyst workflows but cannot operate fully autonomously.

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
Windward: What data sources does Windward use beyond AIS?

Windward integrates multiple data sources including AIS, dark vessel signals, Earth Observation (EO), Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), and RF signals to provide multi-sensor maritime intelligence where AIS alone is insufficient.

Source
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