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OpenWeatherMap vs Sea Machines

OpenWeatherMap logo

OpenWeatherMap

Software

Developer-friendly weather API with global coverage

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Sea Machines logo

Sea Machines

Software

Autonomous vessel control systems

From
$50000/one-time
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only OpenWeatherMap has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: OpenWeatherMap free tier capped at 60 calls/minute and 1,000,000 calls/month; Sea Machines requires hardware fitted to the vessel; the autonomy systems are retrofits or new build installations rather than a software purchase
  • They diverge on capability: OpenWeatherMap covers Weather API, Sea Machines covers Autonomous control.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which OpenWeatherMap and Sea Machines actually diverge.

Attributes where OpenWeatherMap and Sea Machines differ
AttributeOpenWeatherMapSea Machines
Starting priceFree$50000/one-time
Pricing modelUnknownone-time
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWebEmbedded, Web, Mobile
Founded20172015

Identical on both: 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 OpenWeatherMap

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

Only in Sea Machines

  • Autonomous control
  • Remote operation
  • Collision avoidance
  • Pattern following
  • Vessel systems
  • Communication networks
  • Shore-based control
  • Embedded support

Both cover

  • Web support

What people use each for

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

OpenWeatherMap

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

Sea Machines

  • Intelligent voyage and transit autonomy for workboatsnot OpenWeatherMap
  • Pattern autonomy for survey and repetitive route worknot OpenWeatherMap
  • Collision avoidance using the AI-ris computer vision sensornot OpenWeatherMap
  • Remote command and control of vessels, including in GPS denied environmentsnot OpenWeatherMap
  • Fleet management and telemetry through Fleetviewer and the SMLINK APIsnot OpenWeatherMap

Where each one falls short

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

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

Sea Machines

  • Requires hardware fitted to the vessel; the autonomy systems are retrofits or new build installations rather than a software purchase
  • Targeted at vessels from 10 to 300 ft, so it does not address the largest commercial tonnage
  • Pricing is not published and is arranged directly with the vendor
  • The SM300-NG is the class-approved unit, so the cheaper SM300-SP does not carry the same approval

Pricing, plan by plan

OpenWeatherMap

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

Sea Machines

$50000/one-time
  • SM300$75000/one-time
    • Autonomous control
    • Collision avoidance
    • Remote operation

Which should you pick?

Choose OpenWeatherMap if

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

Choose Sea Machines if

  • You need autonomous control.
  • You work on Embedded, Web, Mobile.
  • You also want remote operation.
Sea Machines review

Questions people ask

Is OpenWeatherMap or Sea Machines better?
Neither clearly leads. OpenWeatherMap starts at Free and Sea Machines at $50000/one-time, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, OpenWeatherMap or Sea Machines?
OpenWeatherMap has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for OpenWeatherMap and $50000/one-time for Sea Machines.
Does OpenWeatherMap or Sea Machines run on more platforms?
OpenWeatherMap runs on Web. Sea Machines runs on Embedded, Web, Mobile.
Can I use OpenWeatherMap for free?
Yes. OpenWeatherMap has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Sea Machines starts at $50000/one-time.
What is OpenWeatherMap best used for?
OpenWeatherMap is most often used for embedding current weather and short-term forecasts into third-party apps/websites, pulling historical and statistical weather data for research, displaying weather map overlays (precipitation, clouds, etc.) via the weather maps api, monitoring air pollution levels via the air pollution api. Of those, embedding current weather and short-term forecasts into third-party apps/websites and pulling historical and statistical weather data for research are not what Sea Machines is typically brought in for.
What can OpenWeatherMap do that Sea Machines cannot?
OpenWeatherMap covers Weather API, Current conditions, Forecasts, Historical data. Sea Machines covers Autonomous control, Remote operation, Collision avoidance, Pattern following. Both handle Web support.
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