Softwr

Maritime · head to head

VesselFinder vs Vizion

VesselFinder logo

VesselFinder

Maritime

Free AIS vessel tracking web site

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Vizion logo

Vizion

Maritime

Container tracking API for developers

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: VesselFinder aPI access is billed in credits, and a satellite AIS position costs 10 credits against 1 for a terrestrial position; Vizion no price is published: the site names a pricing link but shows no per container rate, no plan tier and no minimum, and every route leads to a demo or a sales conversation
  • They diverge on capability: VesselFinder covers Real-time tracking, Vizion covers Universal carrier API.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which VesselFinder and Vizion actually diverge.

Attributes where VesselFinder and Vizion differ
AttributeVesselFinderVizion
Pricing modelfreemiumusage-based
PlatformsWeb, Ios, AndroidApi
Founded20112018

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 VesselFinder

  • Real-time tracking
  • Vessel database
  • Port information
  • Weather overlay
  • API access
  • Mobile apps
  • Web support
  • Ios support

Only in Vizion

  • Universal carrier API
  • Real-time updates
  • Milestone tracking
  • Webhooks
  • REST API
  • Webhooks
  • SDKs
  • Api support

What people use each for

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

VesselFinder

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

Vizion

  • Pulling standardised ocean container tracking events into an ERP or TMSnot VesselFinder
  • Monitoring port performance and vessel activity across trade lanesnot VesselFinder
  • Tracking supplier shipments and trade flows for supply chain planningnot VesselFinder

Where each one falls short

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

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

Vizion

  • No price is published: the site names a pricing link but shows no per container rate, no plan tier and no minimum, and every route leads to a demo or a sales conversation
  • There is no self service signup, so even a small shipper must go through sales to start tracking
  • Container tracking, trade intelligence and supply chain optimisation are separate product lines rather than one subscription

Pricing, plan by plan

VesselFinder

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

Vizion

Free
  • Growth$500/month
    • 10,000 containers
    • All carriers
    • Webhooks

Which should you pick?

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

Choose Vizion if

  • You need universal carrier api.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Api.
  • You also want real-time updates.
Vizion review

Questions people ask

Is VesselFinder or Vizion better?
Neither clearly leads. VesselFinder starts at Free and Vizion at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, VesselFinder or Vizion?
VesselFinder starts at Free and Vizion at Free.
Does VesselFinder or Vizion run on more platforms?
VesselFinder runs on Web, Ios, Android. Vizion runs on Api.
Can I use VesselFinder for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is VesselFinder best used for?
VesselFinder is most often used for tracking vessel positions and voyages from ais data, pulling ship positions and particulars into a logistics or chartering system over an api. Of those, tracking vessel positions and voyages from ais data and pulling ship positions and particulars into a logistics or chartering system over an api are not what Vizion is typically brought in for.
What can VesselFinder do that Vizion cannot?
VesselFinder covers Real-time tracking, Vessel database, Port information, Weather overlay. Vizion covers Universal carrier API, Real-time updates, Milestone tracking, Webhooks.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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
Vizion: Where can I find Vizion API pricing?

Vizion does not display pricing on their main website. You must schedule a demo or contact their sales team directly to discuss pricing based on your specific use case and company type.

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
Vizion: How does Vizion's pricing model work?

Vizion uses a sales-driven approach where pricing is customized based on your needs as a logistics provider, software company, or beneficial cargo owner.

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
Share

Related pages

More on VesselFinder

More on Vizion

Keep looking

Other head to heads