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Maritime · head to head

MDS Transmodal vs Q88

MDS Transmodal logo

MDS Transmodal

Maritime

Freight transport data and analysis

From
$600/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Q88 logo

Q88

Maritime

Tanker vessel information platform

From
$200/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: MDS Transmodal no pricing published on website, consulting-based engagement only; Q88 the Internet Archive's capture of Q88 LLC's corporate homepage on 19 February 2016 stated Q88.com had 75% of the world-wide tanker industry onboard and served over 1,000 clients across four named products (Q88.com, Q88Dry.com, Milbros.com, Q88VMS.com), with no price figure published for any; this is a 2016 capture and figures are dated.
  • They diverge on capability: MDS Transmodal covers Container trade data, Q88 covers Vessel questionnaires.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which MDS Transmodal and Q88 actually diverge.

Attributes where MDS Transmodal and Q88 differ
AttributeMDS TransmodalQ88
Starting price$600/month$200/month
PlatformsWebWeb, Api
Founded19882001

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Maritime).

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 MDS Transmodal

  • Container trade data
  • Port statistics
  • Intermodal analysis
  • Custom research
  • Data exports
  • Custom reports

Only in Q88

  • Vessel questionnaires
  • Vetting support
  • Documentation management
  • Compliance tracking
  • Oil major systems
  • Chartering platforms
  • Fleet management
  • Api support

Both cover

  • Web support

What people use each for

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

MDS Transmodal

  • Transport market feasibility studies and demand forecasting for new opportunitiesnot Q88
  • Infrastructure planning and transport network capacity analysisnot Q88
  • Due diligence and risk assessment for freight investment decisionsnot Q88
  • Freight sector policy analysis and regulatory impact evaluationnot Q88
  • Quantitative modeling across maritime, rail, road, and logisticsnot Q88

Q88

No use cases recorded yet. See the Q88 review.

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

MDS Transmodal

  • No pricing published on website, consulting-based engagement only
  • Requires direct contact and negotiation for each project engagement
  • Results and services dependent on consultant experience and proprietary databases
  • Not a self-service platform, requires human expertise and custom analysis

Q88

  • The Internet Archive's capture of Q88 LLC's corporate homepage on 19 February 2016 stated Q88.com had 75% of the world-wide tanker industry onboard and served over 1,000 clients across four named products (Q88.com, Q88Dry.com, Milbros.com, Q88VMS.com), with no price figure published for any; this is a 2016 capture and figures are dated.

Pricing, plan by plan

MDS Transmodal

$600/month
  • Data Access$1200/month
    • Container data
    • Port statistics
    • Trade flows

Q88

$200/month
  • Vessel Manager$500/month
    • Q88 questionnaires
    • Vessel profiles
    • Documentation

Which should you pick?

Choose MDS Transmodal if

  • You need container trade data.
  • You also want port statistics.
MDS Transmodal review

Choose Q88 if

  • You need vessel questionnaires.
  • You work on Web, Api.
  • You also want vetting support.
Q88 review

Questions people ask

Is MDS Transmodal or Q88 better?
Neither clearly leads. MDS Transmodal starts at $600/month and Q88 at $200/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, MDS Transmodal or Q88?
MDS Transmodal starts at $600/month and Q88 at $200/month.
Does MDS Transmodal or Q88 run on more platforms?
MDS Transmodal runs on Web. Q88 runs on Web, Api.
What is MDS Transmodal best used for?
MDS Transmodal is most often used for transport market feasibility studies and demand forecasting for new opportunities, infrastructure planning and transport network capacity analysis, due diligence and risk assessment for freight investment decisions, freight sector policy analysis and regulatory impact evaluation. Of those, transport market feasibility studies and demand forecasting for new opportunities and infrastructure planning and transport network capacity analysis are not what Q88 is typically brought in for.
What can MDS Transmodal do that Q88 cannot?
MDS Transmodal covers Container trade data, Port statistics, Intermodal analysis, Custom research. Q88 covers Vessel questionnaires, Vetting support, Documentation management, Compliance tracking. Both handle Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

MDS Transmodal: How much does MDS Transmodal cost?

MDS Transmodal does not publish pricing on its website. It is a consulting firm providing bespoke strategic advice. Pricing is quote-based and depends on project scope, duration, data requirements, and consultant time allocation. Contact them directly to discuss your specific transport economics needs.

Source
MDS Transmodal: Does MDS Transmodal offer a software platform or only consulting?

MDS Transmodal is primarily a transport economics consulting firm, not a software vendor. They provide strategic consulting, quantitative analysis, and modeling services. While they maintain proprietary databases and models, they do not offer a self-service software platform.

Source
MDS Transmodal: Does MDS Transmodal cover all transportation modes?

Yes. MDS Transmodal provides analysis and consulting across road, rail, air, and maritime freight sectors. Their expertise spans port connectivity, global shipping networks, trade corridor analysis, and multi-modal supply chain optimization for clients worldwide.

Source
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