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Maritime · head to head

Sea Machines vs StormGlass

Sea Machines logo

Sea Machines

Maritime

Autonomous vessel control systems

From
$50000/one-time
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
StormGlass logo

StormGlass

Maritime

Global weather data API for maritime

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only StormGlass has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Sea Machines requires hardware fitted to the vessel; the autonomy systems are retrofits or new build installations rather than a software purchase; StormGlass the free tier allows 10 API requests per day and is not licensed for commercial use
  • They diverge on capability: Sea Machines covers Autonomous control, StormGlass covers Marine weather data.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Sea Machines and StormGlass differ
AttributeSea MachinesStormGlass
Starting price$50000/one-timeFree
Pricing modelone-timefreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsEmbedded, Web, MobileApi
Founded20152017

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 Sea Machines

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

Only in StormGlass

  • Marine weather data
  • Wave forecasts
  • Tide data
  • Historical weather
  • REST API
  • Webhooks
  • SDKs
  • Api support

What people use each for

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

Sea Machines

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

StormGlass

  • Pulling marine weather and sea state forecasts into a vessel routing or planning toolnot Sea Machines
  • Adding tide, wave and wind data to a maritime or coastal applicationnot Sea Machines

Where each one falls short

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

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

StormGlass

  • The free tier allows 10 API requests per day and is not licensed for commercial use
  • Commercial use and any support at all start at the Medium plan, 49 euros a month
  • The Small plan at 19 euros a month has no support and no commercial licence
  • Request allowances are daily rather than monthly, so a burst of traffic cannot borrow against a quiet week

Pricing, plan by plan

Sea Machines

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

StormGlass

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 10 requests per day
    • All weather parameters
    • Not for commercial use
  • Small$19/month
    • 500 requests per day
    • All weather parameters
    • 10% annual discount available
  • Medium$49/month
    • 5000 requests per day
    • All weather parameters
    • Full support
  • Large$129/month
    • 25000 requests per day
    • All weather parameters
    • Full support

Which should you pick?

Choose Sea Machines if

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

Choose StormGlass if

  • You need marine weather data.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Api.
  • You also want wave forecasts.
StormGlass review

Questions people ask

Is Sea Machines or StormGlass better?
Neither clearly leads. Sea Machines starts at $50000/one-time and StormGlass at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Sea Machines or StormGlass?
StormGlass has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $50000/one-time for Sea Machines and Free for StormGlass.
Does Sea Machines or StormGlass run on more platforms?
Sea Machines runs on Embedded, Web, Mobile. StormGlass runs on Api.
Can I use StormGlass for free?
Yes. StormGlass has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Sea Machines starts at $50000/one-time.
What is Sea Machines best used for?
Sea Machines is most often used for intelligent voyage and transit autonomy for workboats, pattern autonomy for survey and repetitive route work, collision avoidance using the ai-ris computer vision sensor, remote command and control of vessels, including in gps denied environments. Of those, intelligent voyage and transit autonomy for workboats and pattern autonomy for survey and repetitive route work are not what StormGlass is typically brought in for.
What can Sea Machines do that StormGlass cannot?
Sea Machines covers Autonomous control, Remote operation, Collision avoidance, Pattern following. StormGlass covers Marine weather data, Wave forecasts, Tide data, Historical weather.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Sea Machines: How much does Sea Machines cost?

Pricing is not published. Sea Machines requires customers to contact their sales team directly through the Contact Us link on their website for pricing quotes tailored to specific products and use cases.

Source
StormGlass: Is there a free tier available?

Yes, Stormglass offers a free plan with 10 API requests per day, including all weather parameters, but it is not permitted for commercial use.

Source
Sea Machines: What is the pricing model for Sea Machines products?

Sea Machines offers autonomy systems and software solutions for maritime vessels. Pricing is determined on a per-product basis through direct sales consultation rather than published subscription tiers.

Source
StormGlass: What does the Medium plan include?

The Medium plan costs 49 EUR per month and includes 5000 daily requests, all weather parameters, and full support for commercial use.

Source
StormGlass: Is annual billing available?

Yes, a 10% discount is available when paying annually on Small, Medium, and Large plans.

Source
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