Softwr

Software · head to head

MarineTraffic vs OpenWeatherMap

MarineTraffic logo

MarineTraffic

Software

Global ship tracking intelligence

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
OpenWeatherMap logo

OpenWeatherMap

Software

Developer-friendly weather API with global coverage

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • 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); OpenWeatherMap free tier capped at 60 calls/minute and 1,000,000 calls/month
  • They diverge on capability: MarineTraffic covers Real-time vessel tracking, OpenWeatherMap covers Weather API.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which MarineTraffic and OpenWeatherMap actually diverge.

Attributes where MarineTraffic and OpenWeatherMap differ
AttributeMarineTrafficOpenWeatherMap
PlatformsWeb, iOS, Android, APIWeb
Founded20072017

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (Unknown), free tier (Yes), 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
  • Google Earth
  • GIS systems
  • Ios support

Only in OpenWeatherMap

  • Weather API
  • Current conditions
  • Forecasts
  • Historical data
  • Weather maps
  • JSON format
  • Widgets
  • Api support

Both cover

  • REST API
  • Web support

What people use each for

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

MarineTraffic

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

OpenWeatherMap

  • Embedding current weather and short-term forecasts into third-party apps/websitesnot MarineTraffic
  • Pulling historical and statistical weather data for researchnot MarineTraffic
  • Displaying weather map overlays (precipitation, clouds, etc.) via the Weather Maps APInot MarineTraffic
  • Monitoring air pollution levels via the Air Pollution APInot MarineTraffic
  • Geocoding locations for weather lookupsnot MarineTraffic

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

OpenWeatherMap

  • Free tier capped at 60 calls/minute and 1,000,000 calls/month
  • Free tier limited to current weather, 3-hour/5-day forecast, air pollution, 15 map layers, and geocoding only
  • One Call API free allowance is only 1,000 calls/day before pay-per-call charges apply
  • Paid tier (Startup, Developer, Professional, Expert) exact USD prices are not published on the public pricing page

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

OpenWeatherMap

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 60 calls/min
    • 1,000,000 calls/month
    • current weather, 3-hr/5-day forecast, air pollution, 15 map layers, geocoding

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 OpenWeatherMap if

  • You need weather api.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want current conditions.
OpenWeatherMap review

Questions people ask

Is MarineTraffic or OpenWeatherMap better?
Neither clearly leads. MarineTraffic starts at Free and OpenWeatherMap at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, MarineTraffic or OpenWeatherMap?
MarineTraffic starts at Free and OpenWeatherMap at Free.
Does MarineTraffic or OpenWeatherMap run on more platforms?
MarineTraffic runs on Web, iOS, Android, API. OpenWeatherMap runs on Web.
Can I use MarineTraffic for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
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 OpenWeatherMap is typically brought in for.
What can MarineTraffic do that OpenWeatherMap cannot?
MarineTraffic covers Real-time vessel tracking, Global AIS coverage, Voyage history, Port call data. OpenWeatherMap covers Weather API, Current conditions, Forecasts, Historical data. Both handle REST API, Web support.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on MarineTraffic

More on OpenWeatherMap

Keep looking

Other head to heads