Software · head to head
MarineTraffic vs Dataloy
The short version
- Only MarineTraffic has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: MarineTraffic specific numeric prices for the Basic/Essential tiers are not published on a directly accessible page (plans pages are bot-protected); Dataloy dataloy has been rebranded as Sedna VMS ("Sedna Trade Voyage Management System (Dataloy)"); its own site publishes no pricing and every plan action is a Request a demo button, per Sedna's own site.
- They diverge on capability: MarineTraffic covers Real-time vessel tracking, Dataloy covers Voyage planning.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which MarineTraffic and Dataloy actually diverge.
| Attribute | MarineTraffic | Dataloy |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | $1500/month |
| Pricing model | Unknown | subscription |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android, API | Web, Windows |
| Founded | 2007 | 1987 |
Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in MarineTraffic
- Real-time vessel tracking
- Global AIS coverage
- Voyage history
- Port call data
- ETA predictions
- REST API
- Google Earth
- GIS systems
Only in Dataloy
- Voyage planning
- Operations management
- Demurrage calculation
- Bunker planning
- ERP systems
- Accounting
- Market data
- Windows support
Both cover
- Web support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
MarineTraffic
- Real-time vessel trackingnot Dataloy
- Port call and ETA tracking for logisticsnot Dataloy
- Fleet monitoring for shipping and charteringnot Dataloy
- Maritime research and analytics via API feedsnot Dataloy
- Vessel and company database lookupsnot Dataloy
Dataloy
No use cases recorded yet. See the Dataloy review.
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
MarineTraffic
- Specific numeric prices for the Basic/Essential tiers are not published on a directly accessible page (plans pages are bot-protected)
- Enterprise tier is sales-assisted, quote-only
- API access is credit-consumption based with cost varying by AIS data source and detail level, making cost opaque
- Commercial API access now routes through parent company Kpler via demo request
Dataloy
- Dataloy has been rebranded as Sedna VMS ("Sedna Trade Voyage Management System (Dataloy)"); its own site publishes no pricing and every plan action is a Request a demo button, per Sedna's own site.
Pricing, plan by plan
MarineTraffic
Free- Basic$undefined/mo
- Free vessel tracking account
- Essential$undefined/mo
- Expanded tracking features
- Enterprise$undefined/mo
- Quote-only, sales-assisted
Dataloy
$1500/month- VMS Pro$3000/month
- Voyage planning
- Operations
- Demurrage
Which should you pick?
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.
Choose Dataloy if
- You need voyage planning.
- You work on Web, Windows.
- You also want operations management.
Questions people ask
- Is MarineTraffic or Dataloy better?
- Neither clearly leads. MarineTraffic starts at Free and Dataloy at $1500/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, MarineTraffic or Dataloy?
- MarineTraffic has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for MarineTraffic and $1500/month for Dataloy.
- Does MarineTraffic or Dataloy run on more platforms?
- MarineTraffic runs on Web, iOS, Android, API. Dataloy runs on Web, Windows.
- Can I use MarineTraffic for free?
- Yes. MarineTraffic has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Dataloy starts at $1500/month.
- What is MarineTraffic best used for?
- MarineTraffic is most often used for real-time vessel tracking, port call and eta tracking for logistics, fleet monitoring for shipping and chartering, maritime research and analytics via api feeds. Of those, real-time vessel tracking and port call and eta tracking for logistics are not what Dataloy is typically brought in for.
- What can MarineTraffic do that Dataloy cannot?
- MarineTraffic covers Real-time vessel tracking, Global AIS coverage, Voyage history, Port call data. Dataloy covers Voyage planning, Operations management, Demurrage calculation, Bunker planning. Both handle Web support.