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Software · head to head

MarineTraffic vs FourKites

MarineTraffic logo

MarineTraffic

Software

Global ship tracking intelligence

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
FourKites logo

FourKites

Software

Real-time supply chain visibility

From
$2000/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

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); FourKites fourKites uses an Outcome-as-a-Service model with no per-seat pricing published; all pricing requires talking to an Outcome Advisor
  • They diverge on capability: MarineTraffic covers Real-time vessel tracking, FourKites covers Real-time tracking.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which MarineTraffic and FourKites actually diverge.

Attributes where MarineTraffic and FourKites differ
AttributeMarineTrafficFourKites
Starting priceFree$2000/month
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
Free tierYesNo
Founded20072014

Identical on both: platforms (Web, iOS, Android, API), 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 FourKites

  • Real-time tracking
  • Predictive ETAs
  • Exception alerts
  • Yard management
  • TMS platforms
  • ERP systems
  • WMS
  • Api support

Both cover

  • Web support
  • Ios support
  • Android support

What people use each for

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

MarineTraffic

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

FourKites

No use cases recorded yet. See the FourKites 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

FourKites

  • FourKites uses an Outcome-as-a-Service model with no per-seat pricing published; all pricing requires talking to an Outcome Advisor

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

FourKites

$2000/month
  • Professional$5000/month
    • Multi-modal tracking
    • Predictive ETAs
    • Analytics

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.
MarineTraffic review

Choose FourKites if

  • You need real-time tracking.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Api.
  • You also want predictive etas.
FourKites review

Questions people ask

Is MarineTraffic or FourKites better?
Neither clearly leads. MarineTraffic starts at Free and FourKites at $2000/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, MarineTraffic or FourKites?
MarineTraffic has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for MarineTraffic and $2000/month for FourKites.
Does MarineTraffic or FourKites run on more platforms?
MarineTraffic runs on Web, iOS, Android, API. FourKites 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. FourKites starts at $2000/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 FourKites is typically brought in for.
What can MarineTraffic do that FourKites cannot?
MarineTraffic covers Real-time vessel tracking, Global AIS coverage, Voyage history, Port call data. FourKites covers Real-time tracking, Predictive ETAs, Exception alerts, Yard management. Both handle Web support, Ios support, Android support.
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