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Maritime · head to head

Kaleris vs Pole Star Global

Kaleris logo

Kaleris

Maritime

Terminal operating, yard, rail and vessel software assembled from acquired supply chain brands

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Pole Star Global logo

Pole Star Global

Maritime

Maritime domain awareness and compliance

From
$500/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Kaleris the portfolio was assembled by acquisition, so the single platform description is commercial rather than technical, and connecting two Kaleris products often requires professional services and a custom interface.; Pole Star Global no public pricing information published
  • They diverge on capability: Kaleris covers Terminal operating system, Pole Star Global covers Real-time vessel tracking.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Kaleris and Pole Star Global actually diverge.

Attributes where Kaleris and Pole Star Global differ
AttributeKalerisPole Star Global
Starting priceOn request$500/month
Pricing modelquotesubscription
PlatformsWeb, On-premise, Private cloudWeb, API
FoundedUnknown1998

Identical on both: 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 Kaleris

  • Terminal operating system
  • Yard management
  • Transportation management
  • Carrier and vessel solutions
  • Rail visibility
  • Maintenance and repair operations
  • Execution and visibility platform
  • Equipment control integration

Only in Pole Star Global

  • Real-time vessel tracking
  • Sanctions screening
  • Compliance monitoring
  • Risk alerts
  • Banking systems
  • Compliance platforms
  • ERP systems
  • Web support

What people use each for

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

Kaleris

  • A container terminal replacing a legacy or in-house terminal operating system before an automation programmenot Pole Star Global
  • A port authority standardising several terminals on one operating system and reporting layernot Pole Star Global
  • An ocean carrier that needs stowage planning and vessel performance tooling alongside terminal systemsnot Pole Star Global
  • A rail or intermodal operator trying to reduce demurrage exposure with asset level visibilitynot Pole Star Global

Pole Star Global

  • Detecting vessels using spoofed AIS to hide their identitynot Kaleris
  • Screening ship movements against sanctions lists for compliancenot Kaleris
  • Optimizing tanker voyage profitability through market rate comparisonnot Kaleris
  • Tracking perishable cargo temperatures during ocean transitnot Kaleris

Where each one falls short

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

Kaleris

  • The portfolio was assembled by acquisition, so the single platform description is commercial rather than technical, and connecting two Kaleris products often requires professional services and a custom interface.
  • A terminal operating system implementation runs 12 to 24 months with parallel operation, and the software licence is a minor line next to integration, equipment interfaces and retraining crane and gate staff.
  • Private equity ownership means the roadmap is shaped by acquisition strategy and an eventual exit, and a terminal signing a decade-long dependency has no visibility of who the next owner will be.
  • Configuration expertise is concentrated in the vendor and a small consultancy pool, so terminals end up buying vendor services for changes an internal team should be able to make.
  • The strength is container handling, and bulk, breakbulk and ro-ro terminals get a thinner functional fit that has to be closed with configuration and workarounds.

Pole Star Global

  • No public pricing information published
  • Requires sales engagement through demo request or local office contact
  • Pricing structure and model not described publicly

Pricing, plan by plan

Kaleris

On request
  • Kaleris platform$undefined/year
    • Quoted per site, by throughput and modules taken
    • Implementation and integration services are the larger share of first-year cost
    • Equipment and gate interfaces scoped and priced individually

Pole Star Global

$500/month
  • Professional$1500/month
    • PurpleTRAC platform
    • Sanctions screening
    • Risk assessment

Which should you pick?

Choose Kaleris if

  • You need terminal operating system.
  • You work on Web, On-premise, Private cloud.
  • You also want yard management.
Kaleris review

Choose Pole Star Global if

  • You need real-time vessel tracking.
  • You work on Web, API.
  • You also want sanctions screening.
Pole Star Global review

Questions people ask

Is Kaleris or Pole Star Global better?
Neither clearly leads. Kaleris starts at On request and Pole Star Global at $500/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Kaleris or Pole Star Global?
Kaleris starts at On request and Pole Star Global at $500/month.
Does Kaleris or Pole Star Global run on more platforms?
Kaleris runs on Web, On-premise, Private cloud. Pole Star Global runs on Web, API.
What is Kaleris best used for?
Kaleris is most often used for a container terminal replacing a legacy or in-house terminal operating system before an automation programme, a port authority standardising several terminals on one operating system and reporting layer, an ocean carrier that needs stowage planning and vessel performance tooling alongside terminal systems, a rail or intermodal operator trying to reduce demurrage exposure with asset level visibility. Of those, a container terminal replacing a legacy or in-house terminal operating system before an automation programme and a port authority standardising several terminals on one operating system and reporting layer are not what Pole Star Global is typically brought in for.
What can Kaleris do that Pole Star Global cannot?
Kaleris covers Terminal operating system, Yard management, Transportation management, Carrier and vessel solutions. Pole Star Global covers Real-time vessel tracking, Sanctions screening, Compliance monitoring, Risk alerts.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Kaleris: Is Kaleris the same thing as Navis?

No. Navis is the terminal operating system product line, now owned by Kaleris after Cargotec sold it to Accel-KKR in 2021. Kaleris is the parent group and sells several other product lines alongside it.

Pole Star Global: How do I obtain Pole Star Global pricing?

Pole Star Global does not publish pricing on their website. Contact the sales team via Request Demo button, Customer Support link, or Find A Local Office contact options on their homepage. Source: https://www.polestarglobal.com

Source
Kaleris: Who owns Kaleris?

It is backed by the private equity firm Accel-KKR and assembled from acquired software businesses.

Pole Star Global: Does Pole Star Global offer a free trial?

Pole Star Global does not describe free trials or evaluation programs on their homepage. Request a demo through their website to inquire about trial availability. Source: https://www.polestarglobal.com

Source
Kaleris: How long does a terminal operating system deployment take?

Plan for 12 to 24 months at a working container terminal, including parallel running. Anything shorter usually means a limited scope or a small facility.

Pole Star Global: What payment model does Pole Star Global use?

Pole Star Global does not publicly disclose pricing structure or billing model (per-seat, usage-based, enterprise, etc.). Direct sales consultation required to discuss payment options. Source: https://www.polestarglobal.com

Source
Kaleris: Does it suit bulk or breakbulk terminals?

Less well. The functional depth is in container handling, and other cargo types require significant configuration.

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