Software · head to head
MarineTraffic vs StormGlass
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); StormGlass the free tier allows 10 API requests per day and is not licensed for commercial use
- They diverge on capability: MarineTraffic covers Real-time vessel tracking, StormGlass covers Marine weather data.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which MarineTraffic and StormGlass actually diverge.
| Attribute | MarineTraffic | StormGlass |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Unknown | freemium |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android, API | Api |
| Founded | 2007 | 2017 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), 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
- Web support
Only in StormGlass
- Marine weather data
- Wave forecasts
- Tide data
- Historical weather
- Webhooks
- SDKs
- Api support
Both cover
- REST API
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
MarineTraffic
- Real-time vessel trackingnot StormGlass
- Port call and ETA tracking for logisticsnot StormGlass
- Fleet monitoring for shipping and charteringnot StormGlass
- Maritime research and analytics via API feedsnot StormGlass
- Vessel and company database lookupsnot StormGlass
StormGlass
- Pulling marine weather and sea state forecasts into a vessel routing or planning toolnot MarineTraffic
- Adding tide, wave and wind data to a maritime or coastal applicationnot 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
StormGlass
- The free tier allows 10 API requests per day and is not licensed for commercial use
- Commercial use and any support at all start at the Medium plan, 49 euros a month
- The Small plan at 19 euros a month has no support and no commercial licence
- Request allowances are daily rather than monthly, so a burst of traffic cannot borrow against a quiet week
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
StormGlass
Free- Professional$149/month
- 50,000 API calls
- Historical data
- Premium support
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 StormGlass if
- You need marine weather data.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Api.
- You also want wave forecasts.
Questions people ask
- Is MarineTraffic or StormGlass better?
- Neither clearly leads. MarineTraffic starts at Free and StormGlass at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, MarineTraffic or StormGlass?
- MarineTraffic starts at Free and StormGlass at Free.
- Does MarineTraffic or StormGlass run on more platforms?
- MarineTraffic runs on Web, iOS, Android, API. StormGlass runs on Api.
- 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 StormGlass is typically brought in for.
- What can MarineTraffic do that StormGlass cannot?
- MarineTraffic covers Real-time vessel tracking, Global AIS coverage, Voyage history, Port call data. StormGlass covers Marine weather data, Wave forecasts, Tide data, Historical weather. Both handle REST API.
Related pages
More on MarineTraffic
Keep looking
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- StormGlass vs Veson Nautical
- StormGlass vs Wartsila Voyage
- StormGlass vs Windward
- StormGlass vs Dataloy
- StormGlass vs DNV Maritime
- StormGlass vs exactEarth
- StormGlass vs FourKites
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- StormGlass vs INTTRA
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