Softwr

Maps & Navigation · head to head

Google Maps Platform vs MarineTraffic

Google Maps Platform logo

Google Maps Platform

Maps & Navigation

Comprehensive set of APIs and SDKs that allow developers to embed Google

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
MarineTraffic logo

MarineTraffic

Maritime & Shipping

Global ship tracking intelligence

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only MarineTraffic has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Google Maps Platform free allowances are per service rather than pooled, at 10,000 events a month for dynamic maps, geocoding and autocomplete; MarineTraffic specific numeric prices for the Basic/Essential tiers are not published on a directly accessible page (plans pages are bot-protected)
  • They diverge on capability: Google Maps Platform covers Core Functionality, MarineTraffic covers Real-time vessel tracking.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Google Maps Platform and MarineTraffic actually diverge.

Attributes where Google Maps Platform and MarineTraffic differ
AttributeGoogle Maps PlatformMarineTraffic
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelfreemiumUnknown
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWebWeb, iOS, Android, API
CategoryMaps & NavigationMaritime & Shipping
Founded20052007

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).

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 Google Maps Platform

  • Core Functionality
  • User Interface

Only in MarineTraffic

  • Real-time vessel tracking
  • Global AIS coverage
  • Voyage history
  • Port call data
  • ETA predictions
  • REST API
  • Google Earth
  • GIS systems

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Google Maps Platform

  • Embedding dynamic maps, Street View and photorealistic 3D tiles in an applicationnot MarineTraffic
  • Route computation, navigation and fleet route optimisationnot MarineTraffic
  • Geocoding, place autocomplete and address validationnot MarineTraffic
  • Environmental data including weather, solar, air quality and pollennot MarineTraffic
  • Geospatial analytics through Earth Enginenot MarineTraffic

MarineTraffic

  • Real-time vessel trackingnot Google Maps Platform
  • Port call and ETA tracking for logisticsnot Google Maps Platform
  • Fleet monitoring for shipping and charteringnot Google Maps Platform
  • Maritime research and analytics via API feedsnot Google Maps Platform
  • Vessel and company database lookupsnot Google Maps Platform

Where each one falls short

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

Google Maps Platform

  • Free allowances are per service rather than pooled, at 10,000 events a month for dynamic maps, geocoding and autocomplete
  • Dynamic Maps cost $7.00 per 1,000 calls at the entry tier
  • Geocoding and the Directions API both cost $5.00 per 1,000 calls at the entry tier
  • Pricing is tiered by volume, so the effective unit price depends on total monthly usage and is hard to predict in advance
  • Billing is usage based with no flat plan, so a traffic spike is a cost spike

MarineTraffic

  • Specific numeric prices for the Basic/Essential tiers are not published on a directly accessible page (plans pages are bot-protected)
  • Enterprise tier is sales-assisted, quote-only
  • API access is credit-consumption based with cost varying by AIS data source and detail level, making cost opaque
  • Commercial API access now routes through parent company Kpler via demo request

Pricing, plan by plan

Google Maps Platform

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Google Maps Platform review.

MarineTraffic

Free
  • Basic$undefined/mo
    • Free vessel tracking account
  • Essential$undefined/mo
    • Expanded tracking features
  • Enterprise$undefined/mo
    • Quote-only, sales-assisted

Which should you pick?

Choose Google Maps Platform if

  • You need core functionality.
  • You also want user interface.
Google Maps Platform review

Choose MarineTraffic if

  • You need real-time vessel tracking.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android, API.
  • You also want global ais coverage.
MarineTraffic review

Questions people ask

Is Google Maps Platform or MarineTraffic better?
Neither clearly leads. Google Maps Platform starts at On request and MarineTraffic at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Google Maps Platform or MarineTraffic?
MarineTraffic has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Google Maps Platform and Free for MarineTraffic.
Does Google Maps Platform or MarineTraffic run on more platforms?
Google Maps Platform runs on Web. MarineTraffic runs on Web, iOS, Android, API.
Can I use MarineTraffic for free?
Yes. MarineTraffic has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Google Maps Platform starts at On request.
What is Google Maps Platform best used for?
Google Maps Platform is most often used for embedding dynamic maps, street view and photorealistic 3d tiles in an application, route computation, navigation and fleet route optimisation, geocoding, place autocomplete and address validation, environmental data including weather, solar, air quality and pollen. Of those, embedding dynamic maps, street view and photorealistic 3d tiles in an application and route computation, navigation and fleet route optimisation are not what MarineTraffic is typically brought in for.
What can Google Maps Platform do that MarineTraffic cannot?
Google Maps Platform covers Core Functionality, User Interface. MarineTraffic covers Real-time vessel tracking, Global AIS coverage, Voyage history, Port call data.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on Google Maps Platform

More on MarineTraffic

Keep looking

Other head to heads