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Maritime · head to head

Pole Star Global vs Terminal49

Pole Star Global logo

Pole Star Global

Maritime

Maritime domain awareness and compliance

From
$500/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Terminal49 logo

Terminal49

Maritime

Container tracking for freight forwarders

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Terminal49 has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Pole Star Global no public pricing information published; Terminal49 aPI access and webhooks start at the Essential plan
  • They diverge on capability: Pole Star Global covers Real-time vessel tracking, Terminal49 covers Automated tracking.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Pole Star Global and Terminal49 actually diverge.

Attributes where Pole Star Global and Terminal49 differ
AttributePole Star GlobalTerminal49
Starting price$500/monthFree
Free tierNoYes
Founded19982019

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), platforms (Web, API), 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 Pole Star Global

  • Real-time vessel tracking
  • Sanctions screening
  • Compliance monitoring
  • Risk alerts
  • Banking systems
  • Compliance platforms
  • ERP systems

Only in Terminal49

  • Automated tracking
  • Terminal appointments
  • Demurrage alerts
  • Customer portals
  • TMS platforms
  • Carrier websites
  • Terminal systems

Both cover

  • Web support
  • Api support

What people use each for

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

Pole Star Global

  • Detecting vessels using spoofed AIS to hide their identitynot Terminal49
  • Screening ship movements against sanctions lists for compliancenot Terminal49
  • Optimizing tanker voyage profitability through market rate comparisonnot Terminal49
  • Tracking perishable cargo temperatures during ocean transitnot Terminal49

Terminal49

  • Tracking ocean containers and shipments across carriers and terminalsnot Pole Star Global
  • Feeding container milestones into an internal system over an APInot Pole Star Global

Where each one falls short

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

Pole Star Global

  • No public pricing information published
  • Requires sales engagement through demo request or local office contact
  • Pricing structure and model not described publicly

Terminal49

  • API access and webhooks start at the Essential plan
  • The free plan is limited to 3 users and 50 document credits
  • The Lite and Complete plans require an annual contract
  • No plan above the free tier publishes a price, so every paid tier requires contacting sales

Pricing, plan by plan

Pole Star Global

$500/month
  • Professional$1500/month
    • PurpleTRAC platform
    • Sanctions screening
    • Risk assessment

Terminal49

Free
  • Pro$299/month
    • Unlimited tracking
    • Terminal data
    • API access

Which should you pick?

Choose Pole Star Global if

  • You need real-time vessel tracking.
  • You work on Web, API.
  • You also want sanctions screening.
Pole Star Global review

Choose Terminal49 if

  • You need automated tracking.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Api.
  • You also want terminal appointments.
Terminal49 review

Questions people ask

Is Pole Star Global or Terminal49 better?
Neither clearly leads. Pole Star Global starts at $500/month and Terminal49 at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Pole Star Global or Terminal49?
Terminal49 has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $500/month for Pole Star Global and Free for Terminal49.
Does Pole Star Global or Terminal49 run on more platforms?
Pole Star Global runs on Web, API. Terminal49 runs on Web, Api.
Can I use Terminal49 for free?
Yes. Terminal49 has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Pole Star Global starts at $500/month.
What is Pole Star Global best used for?
Pole Star Global is most often used for detecting vessels using spoofed ais to hide their identity, screening ship movements against sanctions lists for compliance, optimizing tanker voyage profitability through market rate comparison, tracking perishable cargo temperatures during ocean transit. Of those, detecting vessels using spoofed ais to hide their identity and screening ship movements against sanctions lists for compliance are not what Terminal49 is typically brought in for.
What can Pole Star Global do that Terminal49 cannot?
Pole Star Global covers Real-time vessel tracking, Sanctions screening, Compliance monitoring, Risk alerts. Terminal49 covers Automated tracking, Terminal appointments, Demurrage alerts, Customer portals. Both handle Web support, Api support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Pole Star Global: How do I obtain Pole Star Global pricing?

Pole Star Global does not publish pricing on their website. Contact the sales team via Request Demo button, Customer Support link, or Find A Local Office contact options on their homepage. Source: https://www.polestarglobal.com

Source
Terminal49: Is there a free plan available?

Yes, Terminal49 offers a Free Forever plan with no commitment required. It includes up to 3 users, basic shipment tracking, and 50 document credits.

Source
Pole Star Global: Does Pole Star Global offer a free trial?

Pole Star Global does not describe free trials or evaluation programs on their homepage. Request a demo through their website to inquire about trial availability. Source: https://www.polestarglobal.com

Source
Terminal49: What plans require payment?

Terminal49 offers four tiers: Free (free forever), Lite (annual contract), Essential (annual or pay-as-you-go), and Complete (annual contract). Lite, Essential, and Complete require direct contact with sales for pricing.

Source
Pole Star Global: What payment model does Pole Star Global use?

Pole Star Global does not publicly disclose pricing structure or billing model (per-seat, usage-based, enterprise, etc.). Direct sales consultation required to discuss payment options. Source: https://www.polestarglobal.com

Source
Terminal49: What features are in the Essential plan?

Essential (Most Popular) includes unlimited users, full shipment & container dashboards, API access & webhooks, intermodal rail tracking, container assignments, and team collaboration features. It offers both annual contract and pay-as-you-go billing options.

Source
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