Compare the Top Ship Tracking Platforms: Real-Time Solutions for Every Fleet

Ship tracking has become indispensable for ship owners, fleet managers, and maritime enthusiasts. Many platforms provide real-time tracking, detailed voyage information, and fleet management tools. Here we break down the features and costs of 10 notable ship tracking platforms.

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ShipUniverse: Top 10 Commercial Vessel Tracking Platforms
Platform	Key Features	Cost	Website
MarineTraffic	– Real-time ship tracking – Historical voyage data – Vessel details like size, flag, and IMO numbers – Satellite AIS for premium users – Notifications for movements like arrivals and departures	– **Free**: Basic tracking – **€9.99/month**: Premium features, including satellite tracking	marinetraffic.com
VesselFinder	– Global real-time tracking – Fleet management tools – Customizable alerts – Extensive data on vessel types and routes	– **Free**: Basic real-time tracking – **€6.90/month**: Premium features like satellite AIS	vesselfinder.com
FleetMon	– Real-time AIS and satellite tracking – Fleet management and voyage history – Performance assessment tools – Weather data and emergency response information	– **Free**: Basic features – **€19/month**: Advanced features like satellite AIS and analytics	fleetmon.com
MyShipTracking	– Real-time global tracking – Voyage history and port call data – Fleet management tools – API integration for AIS data	– **Free**: Basic tracking – **Paid Plans**: Premium options available for advanced tracking	myshiptracking.com
Ship Finder	– Live AIS-based ship tracking – Playback feature for past voyages – Available as a mobile app for iOS, Android, and Windows – User-friendly interface	– **Free**: Basic real-time tracking – **Paid Plans**: Additional features for deeper analytics	shipfinder.co
ShipAIS	– Real-time tracking focused on UK waters – Map overlays for vessel movements – Historical map data – Live webcam views of ships in specific regions	– **Free**: All features are accessible for free	shipais.uk
ShippingExplorer	– Real-time AIS tracking – Route planning and alert systems – Historical data and voyage reports – Weather and wave condition overlays	– **€15/month**: Full access to real-time and historical data	shippingexplorer.net
AISLive	– Real-time tracking with satellite AIS data – Detailed ship and port info – Custom alerts for movement and security risks – 197 search filters to track specific vessel types or routes	– **€20/month**: Terrestrial tracking – Satellite tracking available at higher tiers	spglobal.com
VesselTracker	– Real-time tracking for over 180,000 vessels – Custom alerts and historical data – Detailed vessel specs and port call data – AIS and satellite tracking integration	– **Free**: Basic real-time tracking – **€14.90/month**: Satellite tracking and enhanced features	vesseltracker.com
AIS Hub	– Raw AIS data access for developers – Real-time global tracking – Map overlays showing ship positions and weather – API for data integration	– **Free**: All basic tracking features available for free	aishub.net

1. MarineTraffic

MarineTraffic is one of the most widely used platforms for tracking vessels worldwide. It offers real-time data on ship locations, detailed vessel information, and a range of premium services for enhanced tracking and fleet management.

• Key Features:
  • Live ship tracking with detailed maps and information.
  • Notifications for key ship events (arrival, departure, etc.).
  • Access to historical voyage data and ship photos.
  • Premium satellite AIS services for comprehensive coverage.
• Cost:
  • Free: Basic tracking features.
  • Paid Plans: Starting at €9.99/month for advanced services like satellite AIS and nautical charts.
• Website: marinetraffic.com​

2. VesselFinder

VesselFinder offers free and premium ship tracking services, providing detailed data for over 100,000 vessels globally. It is known for its fleet management tools and customizable alerts, ideal for maritime professionals.

• Key Features:
  • Real-time tracking and port arrivals/departures.
  • Fleet management and customizable alerts.
  • Access to extensive vessel data, including ship types and voyage details.
• Cost:
  • Free: Basic real-time tracking.
  • Premium Plans: Starting at €6.90/month for additional data and satellite tracking.
• Website: vesselfinder.com​

3. FleetMon

FleetMon provides real-time tracking using both AIS and satellite data, offering advanced fleet management tools and historical voyage data. It’s widely used by shipping companies for detailed monitoring and reporting.

• Key Features:
  • Real-time AIS and satellite-based tracking.
  • In-depth fleet management tools and alert systems.
  • Historical data and detailed voyage reports.
• Cost:
  • Free: Basic features.
  • Paid Plans: Start at €19/month for satellite AIS and advanced analytics.
• Website: fleetmon.com​

4. MyShipTracking

MyShipTracking is a free real-time AIS vessel tracking platform known for its user-friendly interface and detailed ship information. It offers interactive maps that display ship positions globally, along with tools for monitoring fleet performance and voyage details.

• Key Features:
  • Real-time vessel positions with interactive maps.
  • Access to ship history, voyage details, and port calls.
  • Fleet management tools and AIS data API for integration into other systems.
• Cost:
  • Free: Basic real-time vessel tracking.
  • Paid Plans: Premium features such as API access and advanced tracking options are available at different pricing levels based on usage.
• Website: myshiptracking.com​

5. Ship Finder

Ship Finder offers live AIS data, tracking vessels in real-time from seas and oceans worldwide. Designed with a user-friendly interface, it provides detailed information like ship name, type, destination, and estimated time of arrival. It’s particularly popular among ship enthusiasts and maritime professionals alike.

• Key Features:
  • Live AIS data including ship name, type, and route.
  • Playback feature to review voyage history.
  • Available as a mobile app for iOS, Android, and Windows devices.
• Cost:
  • Free: Basic real-time tracking.
  • Paid Plans: Advanced features are available at a cost for deeper analytics and satellite data.
• Website: shipfinder.co​

6. ShipAIS

ShipAIS is a UK-based vessel tracking platform that focuses on real-time ship movements around the UK, particularly the Liverpool Bay and River Mersey areas. It provides AIS data along with a live webcam feed, making it a useful tool for maritime professionals operating in the region.

• Key Features:
  • Real-time ship movements in the UK with detailed maps.
  • Webcams offering live views of ships in the region.
  • Historical map data and vessel search functions.
• Cost:
  • Free: All tracking features and maps are free to access.
• Website: shipais.uk​

7. VesselTracker

VesselTracker is a comprehensive tracking platform offering both terrestrial and satellite AIS data. It’s widely used for monitoring vessel movements in real-time, providing data for over 180,000 vessels daily. VesselTracker is designed for professionals who need access to extensive AIS data to optimize fleet operations and understand global shipping trends.

• Key Features:
  • Real-time tracking of over 180,000 vessels.
  • Detailed vessel data, including specifications and port visits.
  • Custom alerts and historical data for enhanced monitoring.
• Cost:
  • Free: Basic real-time vessel tracking.
  • Paid Plans: Advanced features start at €14.90/month, offering satellite tracking and deeper insights.
• Website: vesseltracker.com

8. ShippingExplorer

ShippingExplorer is an AIS-based tracking platform that provides real-time monitoring for ships globally. It includes tools for route planning, alert systems, and access to historical data, making it a good option for companies requiring detailed ship movement reports.

• Key Features:
  • Real-time tracking and route planning.
  • Alerts for speed, position, or itinerary changes.
  • Historical data on ship voyages.
• Cost:
  • Paid Plans: Prices start at €15/month for full access to real-time and historical data.
• Website: shippingexplorer.net

9. AISLive (S&P Global)

AISLive is a premium vessel tracking platform known for its real-time intelligence, providing updates for over 130,000 vessels every minute. It combines terrestrial and satellite data to offer a comprehensive view of global marine traffic, including deep-sea and offshore activities.

• Key Features:
  • Real-time tracking with satellite AIS data.
  • Access to detailed ship and port information.
  • Custom alerts for ship movement and risk mitigation.
• Cost:
  • Paid Plans: Pricing starts at €20/month for terrestrial tracking, with satellite AIS included in higher tiers.
• Website: spglobal.com

10. AIS Hub

AIS Hub is a data-sharing platform that provides global AIS data and real-time vessel tracking. It stands out by offering raw AIS feeds, making it a valuable tool for professionals and developers interested in AIS-related software and ship monitoring.

• Key Features:
  • Raw AIS data access for real-time vessel tracking.
  • Global coverage with map overlays showing ship positions.
  • Free access to basic tracking features.
• Cost:
  • Free: Basic real-time tracking and data access.
• Website: aishub.net