Softwr

Maritime · head to head

MarineTraffic vs Vizion

MarineTraffic logo

MarineTraffic

Maritime

Global ship tracking intelligence

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: MarineTraffic specific numeric prices for the Basic/Essential tiers are not published on a directly accessible page (plans pages are bot-protected); 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: MarineTraffic covers Real-time vessel 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 MarineTraffic and Vizion actually diverge.

Attributes where MarineTraffic and Vizion differ
AttributeMarineTrafficVizion
Pricing modelUnknownusage-based
PlatformsWeb, iOS, Android, APIApi
Founded20072018

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 MarineTraffic

  • Real-time vessel tracking
  • Global AIS coverage
  • Voyage history
  • Port call data
  • ETA predictions
  • Google Earth
  • GIS systems
  • Web support

Only in Vizion

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

Both cover

  • REST API

What people use each for

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

MarineTraffic

  • Real-time vessel trackingnot Vizion
  • Port call and ETA tracking for logisticsnot Vizion
  • Fleet monitoring for shipping and charteringnot Vizion
  • Maritime research and analytics via API feedsnot Vizion
  • Vessel and company database lookupsnot Vizion

Vizion

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

Where each one falls short

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

MarineTraffic

  • Specific numeric prices for the Basic/Essential tiers are not published on a directly accessible page (plans pages are bot-protected)
  • Enterprise tier is sales-assisted, quote-only
  • API access is credit-consumption based with cost varying by AIS data source and detail level, making cost opaque
  • Commercial API access now routes through parent company Kpler via demo request

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

MarineTraffic

Free
  • Basic$undefined/mo
    • Free vessel tracking account
  • Essential$undefined/mo
    • Expanded tracking features
  • Enterprise$undefined/mo
    • Quote-only, sales-assisted

Vizion

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

Which should you pick?

Choose MarineTraffic if

  • You need real-time vessel tracking.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android, API.
  • You also want global ais coverage.
MarineTraffic 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 MarineTraffic or Vizion better?
Neither clearly leads. MarineTraffic 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, MarineTraffic or Vizion?
MarineTraffic starts at Free and Vizion at Free.
Does MarineTraffic or Vizion run on more platforms?
MarineTraffic runs on Web, iOS, Android, API. Vizion runs on Api.
Can I use MarineTraffic for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is MarineTraffic best used for?
MarineTraffic is most often used for real-time vessel tracking, port call and eta tracking for logistics, fleet monitoring for shipping and chartering, maritime research and analytics via api feeds. Of those, real-time vessel tracking and port call and eta tracking for logistics are not what Vizion is typically brought in for.
What can MarineTraffic do that Vizion cannot?
MarineTraffic covers Real-time vessel tracking, Global AIS coverage, Voyage history, Port call data. Vizion covers Universal carrier API, Real-time updates, Milestone tracking, Webhooks. Both handle REST API.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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
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
Share

Related pages

More on MarineTraffic

More on Vizion

Keep looking

Other head to heads