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Software · head to head

VesselFinder vs Windward

VesselFinder logo

VesselFinder

Software

Free AIS vessel tracking web site

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Windward logo

Windward

Software

AI-powered maritime risk intelligence

From
$3000/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only VesselFinder has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • They diverge on capability: VesselFinder covers Real-time tracking, Windward covers AI-powered risk scoring.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which VesselFinder and Windward actually diverge.

Attributes where VesselFinder and Windward differ
AttributeVesselFinderWindward
Starting priceFree$3000/month
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Ios, AndroidWeb, Api
Founded20111996

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 VesselFinder

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

Only in Windward

  • AI-powered risk scoring
  • Sanctions compliance
  • Ship-to-ship detection
  • Dark activity alerts
  • Compliance systems
  • Trading platforms
  • Banking systems
  • Api support

Both cover

  • Web 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 Windward
  • Pulling ship positions and particulars into a logistics or chartering system over an APInot Windward

Windward

No use cases recorded yet. See the Windward review.

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

Windward

Nothing recorded yet. See the Windward review.

Pricing, plan by plan

VesselFinder

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

Windward

$3000/month
  • Professional$7500/month
    • Behavioral analytics
    • Dark activity detection
    • API access

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 Windward if

  • You need ai-powered risk scoring.
  • You work on Web, Api.
  • You also want sanctions compliance.
Windward review

Questions people ask

Is VesselFinder or Windward better?
Neither clearly leads. VesselFinder starts at Free and Windward at $3000/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, VesselFinder or Windward?
VesselFinder has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for VesselFinder and $3000/month for Windward.
Does VesselFinder or Windward run on more platforms?
VesselFinder runs on Web, Ios, Android. Windward runs on Web, Api.
Can I use VesselFinder for free?
Yes. VesselFinder has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Windward starts at $3000/month.
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 Windward is typically brought in for.
What can VesselFinder do that Windward cannot?
VesselFinder covers Real-time tracking, Vessel database, Port information, Weather overlay. Windward covers AI-powered risk scoring, Sanctions compliance, Ship-to-ship detection, Dark activity alerts. Both handle Web support.
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