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Maritime · head to head

MDS Transmodal vs VesselFinder

MDS Transmodal logo

MDS Transmodal

Maritime

Freight transport data and analysis

From
$600/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
VesselFinder logo

VesselFinder

Maritime

Free AIS vessel tracking web site

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only VesselFinder has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: MDS Transmodal no pricing published on website, consulting-based engagement only; 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: MDS Transmodal covers Container trade data, VesselFinder covers Real-time tracking.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where MDS Transmodal and VesselFinder differ
AttributeMDS TransmodalVesselFinder
Starting price$600/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWebWeb, Ios, Android
Founded19882011

Identical on both: 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 VesselFinder

  • Real-time tracking
  • Vessel database
  • Port information
  • Weather overlay
  • API access
  • Mobile apps
  • Ios support
  • Android 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 VesselFinder
  • Infrastructure planning and transport network capacity analysisnot VesselFinder
  • Due diligence and risk assessment for freight investment decisionsnot VesselFinder
  • Freight sector policy analysis and regulatory impact evaluationnot VesselFinder
  • Quantitative modeling across maritime, rail, road, and logisticsnot VesselFinder

VesselFinder

  • Tracking vessel positions and voyages from AIS datanot MDS Transmodal
  • Pulling ship positions and particulars into a logistics or chartering system over an APInot MDS Transmodal

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

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

MDS Transmodal

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

VesselFinder

Free
  • Basic$4.99/month
    • Ad-free
    • Extended history
    • Fleet monitoring

Which should you pick?

Choose MDS Transmodal if

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

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.
VesselFinder review

Questions people ask

Is MDS Transmodal or VesselFinder better?
Neither clearly leads. MDS Transmodal starts at $600/month and VesselFinder at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, MDS Transmodal or VesselFinder?
VesselFinder has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $600/month for MDS Transmodal and Free for VesselFinder.
Does MDS Transmodal or VesselFinder run on more platforms?
MDS Transmodal runs on Web. VesselFinder runs on Web, Ios, Android.
Can I use VesselFinder for free?
Yes. VesselFinder has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. MDS Transmodal starts at $600/month.
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 VesselFinder is typically brought in for.
What can MDS Transmodal do that VesselFinder cannot?
MDS Transmodal covers Container trade data, Port statistics, Intermodal analysis, Custom research. VesselFinder covers Real-time tracking, Vessel database, Port information, Weather overlay. 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
VesselFinder: What are the main pricing tiers for VesselFinder?

VesselFinder offers four tiers: Free (no cost), Basic (4 dollars per month), Premium (34 dollars per month), and Satellite (139 dollars per month).

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
VesselFinder: What does the Free plan include?

The Free plan provides terrestrial coverage, 1-day track history, a 10-ship fleet capacity, and 100 route planner uses.

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
VesselFinder: What tracking capabilities come with the Satellite plan?

The Satellite plan includes both satellite and terrestrial coverage, 90-day track history, 2,000-ship fleet capacity, terminal and berth data, proximity event alerts, and ETA prediction.

Source
VesselFinder: Do subscriptions automatically renew?

No, subscriptions do not renew automatically. Users receive reminder notifications one week before expiration.

Source
VesselFinder: Do the listed prices include VAT?

No, the prices displayed do not include VAT. Payment options include bank transfers and credit or debit cards processed online.

Source
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