Softwr

Maps & Navigation · head to head

HERE Technologies vs MarineTraffic

HERE Technologies logo

HERE Technologies

Maps & Navigation

Location data and technology company that provides mapping and location services to businesses globally

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
MarineTraffic logo

MarineTraffic

Maritime & Shipping

Global ship tracking intelligence

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: HERE Technologies pricing is complex and unpredictable, with additional fees for common functionalities creating surprise costs at scale; 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: HERE Technologies covers Core Functionality, MarineTraffic covers Real-time vessel tracking.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which HERE Technologies and MarineTraffic actually diverge.

Attributes where HERE Technologies and MarineTraffic differ
AttributeHERE TechnologiesMarineTraffic
PlatformsWeb, iOS, Android, Cross-platformWeb, iOS, Android, API
CategoryMaps & NavigationMaritime & Shipping
Founded19852007

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (Unknown), free tier (Yes), 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 HERE Technologies

  • 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.

HERE Technologies

  • Map data for automated and assisted drivingnot MarineTraffic
  • Connected driving, including hazard alerts and road surface analysisnot MarineTraffic
  • Supply chain planning and logistics digital twinsnot MarineTraffic
  • Geocoding, search and map rendering through hosted location servicesnot MarineTraffic
  • Fleet tour planning and routing across 200 countriesnot MarineTraffic

MarineTraffic

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

Where each one falls short

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

HERE Technologies

  • Pricing is complex and unpredictable, with additional fees for common functionalities creating surprise costs at scale
  • Lack of transparency in cost projections makes budgeting and forecasting difficult
  • Requires separate API keys and subscriptions for different feature categories, complicating integration
  • Customer support quality and responsiveness is inconsistent compared to competitors like Google Maps

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

HERE Technologies

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the HERE Technologies 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 HERE Technologies if

  • You need core functionality.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android, Cross-platform.
  • You also want user interface.
HERE Technologies 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 HERE Technologies or MarineTraffic better?
Neither clearly leads. HERE Technologies starts at Free and MarineTraffic at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, HERE Technologies or MarineTraffic?
HERE Technologies starts at Free and MarineTraffic at Free.
Does HERE Technologies or MarineTraffic run on more platforms?
HERE Technologies runs on Web, iOS, Android, Cross-platform. MarineTraffic runs on Web, iOS, Android, API.
Can I use HERE Technologies for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is HERE Technologies best used for?
HERE Technologies is most often used for map data for automated and assisted driving, connected driving, including hazard alerts and road surface analysis, supply chain planning and logistics digital twins, geocoding, search and map rendering through hosted location services. Of those, map data for automated and assisted driving and connected driving, including hazard alerts and road surface analysis are not what MarineTraffic is typically brought in for.
What can HERE Technologies do that MarineTraffic cannot?
HERE Technologies covers Core Functionality, User Interface. MarineTraffic covers Real-time vessel tracking, Global AIS coverage, Voyage history, Port call data.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

HERE Technologies: What does HERE Technologies provide?

HERE Technologies provides a comprehensive location platform including digital maps, routing and navigation APIs, geocoding, search, traffic, positioning, and telematics services for automotive, logistics, and enterprise applications.

Source
HERE Technologies: Does HERE offer a free tier?

Yes. HERE provides a free tier with 30,000 map requests per month, 5,000 routing transactions, and 30,000 geocoding transactions. Usage beyond these limits is charged on a pay-as-you-go basis.

Source
HERE Technologies: What SDKs and APIs does HERE offer?

HERE provides REST APIs for maps, routing, geocoding, and search, plus SDKs for Android, iOS, Flutter, and JavaScript. The HERE SDK enables turn-by-turn navigation and location services for mobile and web applications.

Source
HERE Technologies: Is HERE's pricing transparent?

No. HERE uses a complex transaction-based pricing model with separate costs for different API categories. The pricing structure lacks transparency, making it difficult for customers to forecast costs at scale.

Source
HERE Technologies: How has HERE's pricing changed?

HERE moved to a simplified transaction-based pricing model with free monthly allowances for common APIs. Users pay per transaction beyond the free tier, though the structure has been criticized for complexity and lack of cost transparency.

Source
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on HERE Technologies

More on MarineTraffic

Keep looking

Other head to heads