Software · head to head
MarineTraffic vs VesselFinder
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); VesselFinder aPI access is billed in credits, and a satellite AIS position costs 10 credits against 1 for a terrestrial position
- They diverge on capability: MarineTraffic covers Real-time vessel tracking, VesselFinder covers Real-time tracking.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which MarineTraffic and VesselFinder actually diverge.
| Attribute | MarineTraffic | VesselFinder |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Unknown | freemium |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android, API | Web, Ios, Android |
| Founded | 2007 | 2011 |
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
- REST API
- Google Earth
- GIS systems
Only in VesselFinder
- Real-time tracking
- Vessel database
- Port information
- Weather overlay
- API access
- Mobile apps
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 VesselFinder
- Port call and ETA tracking for logisticsnot VesselFinder
- Fleet monitoring for shipping and charteringnot VesselFinder
- Maritime research and analytics via API feedsnot VesselFinder
- Vessel and company database lookupsnot VesselFinder
VesselFinder
- Tracking vessel positions and voyages from AIS datanot MarineTraffic
- Pulling ship positions and particulars into a logistics or chartering system over an APInot 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
VesselFinder
- API access is billed in credits, and a satellite AIS position costs 10 credits against 1 for a terrestrial position
- Credits expire 12 months after purchase
- Credit packs start at 330 EUR for 10,000 credits, excluding VAT
- Tracking a vessel outside terrestrial AIS range multiplies the cost of every position tenfold, so open ocean coverage is the expensive case rather than the standard one
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
VesselFinder
Free- Basic$4.99/month
- Ad-free
- Extended history
- Fleet monitoring
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 VesselFinder if
- You need real-time tracking.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Ios, Android.
- You also want vessel database.
Questions people ask
- Is MarineTraffic or VesselFinder better?
- Neither clearly leads. MarineTraffic starts at Free and VesselFinder at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, MarineTraffic or VesselFinder?
- MarineTraffic starts at Free and VesselFinder at Free.
- Does MarineTraffic or VesselFinder run on more platforms?
- MarineTraffic runs on Web, iOS, Android, API. VesselFinder runs on Web, Ios, Android.
- 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 VesselFinder is typically brought in for.
- What can MarineTraffic do that VesselFinder cannot?
- MarineTraffic covers Real-time vessel tracking, Global AIS coverage, Voyage history, Port call data. VesselFinder covers Real-time tracking, Vessel database, Port information, Weather overlay. Both handle Web support, Ios support, Android support.