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Maritime · head to head

Sea Machines vs Terminal49

Sea Machines logo

Sea Machines

Maritime

Autonomous vessel control systems

From
$50000/one-time
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: Sea Machines requires hardware fitted to the vessel; the autonomy systems are retrofits or new build installations rather than a software purchase; Terminal49 aPI access and webhooks start at the Essential plan
  • They diverge on capability: Sea Machines covers Autonomous control, Terminal49 covers Automated tracking.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Sea Machines and Terminal49 actually diverge.

Attributes where Sea Machines and Terminal49 differ
AttributeSea MachinesTerminal49
Starting price$50000/one-timeFree
Pricing modelone-timesubscription
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsEmbedded, Web, MobileWeb, Api
Founded20152019

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 Terminal49

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

Both cover

  • Web 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 Terminal49
  • Pattern autonomy for survey and repetitive route worknot Terminal49
  • Collision avoidance using the AI-ris computer vision sensornot Terminal49
  • Remote command and control of vessels, including in GPS denied environmentsnot Terminal49
  • Fleet management and telemetry through Fleetviewer and the SMLINK APIsnot Terminal49

Terminal49

  • Tracking ocean containers and shipments across carriers and terminalsnot Sea Machines
  • Feeding container milestones into an internal system over an APInot 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

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

Sea Machines

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

Terminal49

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

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 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 Sea Machines or Terminal49 better?
Neither clearly leads. Sea Machines starts at $50000/one-time and Terminal49 at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Sea Machines or Terminal49?
Terminal49 has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $50000/one-time for Sea Machines and Free for Terminal49.
Does Sea Machines or Terminal49 run on more platforms?
Sea Machines runs on Embedded, Web, Mobile. Terminal49 runs on Web, Api.
Can I use Terminal49 for free?
Yes. Terminal49 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 Terminal49 is typically brought in for.
What can Sea Machines do that Terminal49 cannot?
Sea Machines covers Autonomous control, Remote operation, Collision avoidance, Pattern following. Terminal49 covers Automated tracking, Terminal appointments, Demurrage alerts, Customer portals. Both handle Web support.

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
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
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
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
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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