Maritime · head to head
Freightos vs Windward
The short version
- Only Freightos has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Freightos no pricing, fees or commissions are published anywhere on the pricing page; Windward requires embedded expert analysts for actionable intelligence; cannot operate fully autonomously
- They diverge on capability: Freightos covers Instant quotes, 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 Freightos and Windward actually diverge.
Identical on both: platforms (Web, Api), 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 Freightos
- Instant quotes
- Online booking
- Shipment tracking
- Rate comparison
- ERP systems
- E-commerce platforms
- TMS
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.
Freightos
- Comparing freight quotes from multiple forwarders in one placenot Windward
- Booking international freight online rather than by email quotenot Windward
Windward
- Detecting vessel spoofing using multi-sensor AIS, dark vessel signals, and satellite datanot Freightos
- Conducting UN sanctions investigations for North Korea maritime compliancenot Freightos
- Performing financial AML and sanctions screening for maritime transactionsnot Freightos
- Identifying drug smuggling routes in international shipping networksnot Freightos
- Tracking port delays and causes in real-time shipping visibilitynot Freightos
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Freightos
- No pricing, fees or commissions are published anywhere on the pricing page
- Rates and costs are only visible after signing up to the platform
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
Freightos
Free- Enterprise$500/month
- Bulk pricing
- API access
- Custom integrations
Windward
$3000/month- Professional$7500/month
- Behavioral analytics
- Dark activity detection
- API access
Which should you pick?
Choose Freightos if
- You need instant quotes.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Api.
- You also want online booking.
Choose Windward if
- You need ai-powered risk scoring.
- You work on Web, Api.
- You also want sanctions compliance.
Questions people ask
- Is Freightos or Windward better?
- Neither clearly leads. Freightos starts at Free and Windward at $3000/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Freightos or Windward?
- Freightos has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Freightos and $3000/month for Windward.
- Does Freightos or Windward run on more platforms?
- Both run on Web, Api, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
- Can I use Freightos for free?
- Yes. Freightos has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Windward starts at $3000/month.
- What is Freightos best used for?
- Freightos is most often used for comparing freight quotes from multiple forwarders in one place, booking international freight online rather than by email quote. Of those, comparing freight quotes from multiple forwarders in one place and booking international freight online rather than by email quote are not what Windward is typically brought in for.
- What can Freightos do that Windward cannot?
- Freightos covers Instant quotes, Online booking, Shipment tracking, Rate comparison. 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
Freightos: Does Freightos charge shippers a subscription fee or booking commission?
Freightos does not charge shippers directly. Instead, Freightos takes a small percentage from freight providers (carriers), though the exact percentage is not published on their site.
SourceWindward: 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.
SourceFreightos: How does Freightos generate revenue if shippers do not pay subscription fees?
Freightos operates as a marketplace taking a percentage commission from freight providers on each transaction, not from the end-user shippers.
SourceWindward: 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.
SourceFreightos: Is there a cost to create an account and get freight quotes on Freightos?
No. Freightos users can instantly compare and get quotes for free. Shippers only pay freight providers directly for selected shipments, with Freightos taking its commission from providers.
SourceFreightos: What enterprise solutions does Freightos offer beyond the marketplace?
Freightos offers enterprise solutions that are fully modular, allowing customers to start with one solution and expand as needed. Specific pricing and features are available by requesting a demo.
SourceRelated pages
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