# VesselFinder

> Real-time global vessel tracking and marine traffic information. (iPhone/iPad app by AstraPaging Ltd..)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vesselfinder/id918080862 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [AstraPaging Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/438160792)
- Category: Navigation, Travel
- Price: Free
- Rating: 3.90/5 from 183 App Store ratings · 213 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 15.0 · 45 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2014-09-23
- Data updated: 2026-08-27
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vesselfinder/id918080862/reviews.md

## What is VesselFinder?

VesselFinder is the world’s most popular and trusted vessel tracking and marine traffic app, delivering real-time information on ship positions and movements worldwide. Using a powerful network of satellites, roaming and terrestrial AIS receivers, VesselFinder provides accurate and up-to-date insight into global maritime activity.

Designed for maritime professionals, shipping enthusiasts, and anyone interested in live ship tracking, VesselFinder offers a fast, intuitive, and reliable way to explore vessel traffic across the globe.

VesselFinder key features:
    • Real-time tracking of over 300,000 vessels daily using global AIS data
    • Vessel movement history with track visualization
    • Predicted routes and ETAs to next port
    • Comprehensive vessel particulars, including technical specifications, and cargo capacity information
    • Contact details for the owning company, manager, ISM manager, and more
    • Port Calls per vessel, showing arrival times and duration of stay
    • Port Calls per port, with detailed lists of expected vessels, arrivals, departures, and ships currently in port
    • My Fleet – save and monitor favorite vessels, synchronized with your VesselFinder account
    • My Views – save preferred map views for fast and easy navigation
    • Ship Photos contributed by the VesselFinder user community
    • Multiple map styles: Simple, Detailed, Dark, Satellite, and Nautical
    • Weather overlays, including wind, waves, and temperature
    • See your location feature for instant orientation
    • Distance measurement tool for route and range estimation

Vessel visibility depends on AIS signal availability, with near-shore coverage consistent with the data provided on VesselFinder.com. If a vessel is outside our terrestrial AIS coverage area, its last reported position will be displayed and updated as soon as new data is received. Extended real-time coverage via satellite and roaming AIS sources is available through a subscription. While we make every effort to ensure accuracy, the completeness of the information cannot be guaranteed.

Connect with VesselFinder
    • Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/vesselfinder
    • Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/vesselfinder

## Key features

- Real-time vessel tracking
- Vessel movement history
- Predicted routes and ETAs
- Comprehensive vessel particulars
- Port call details
- My Fleet for favorite vessels
- Weather overlays

## Chart rankings

- #159 in Top Free · Navigation (US App Store)

## What do users think of VesselFinder?

Overall sentiment: mixed

**Pros**

- 👍 Simple and intuitive user interface
- 💰 Free version provides basic functionality
- 🗺️ Clear map display with sea blue and land green
- 📊 Comprehensive vessel information available
- ⚓ Good for casual ship tracking and hobbyists
- 🎨 Clean graphics and minimal intrusive ads
- 🚀 Quick and responsive performance when working
- 📱 Works well on mobile devices for basic use

**Cons**

- ⏱️ Severely outdated vessel position data (days old)
- 🐛 App freezes on startup/splash screen frequently
- 💸 Misleading free version with limited functionality
- 🔄 Inconsistent and unreliable data updates
- ❌ Search functionality requires paid version
- 📍 Inaccurate vessel locations compared to competitors
- 🔐 Paywall for basic features advertised as free
- ⚠️ Poor performance on newer iOS versions
- 🚫 App crashes when zooming or navigating
- 📉 Significant decline in app quality over time
- 🔌 Unstable on iOS platform with frequent crashes
- 🗺️ Missing map display on some devices
- 💔 Lost features in updates (distance measurement tool)
- 🌍 Incomplete global coverage in some regions
- 🎯 Vessel information often missing or generic

**Commonly reported bugs**

- App freezes on splash screen and won't load
- Crashes when attempting to zoom on map
- Black screen display on certain devices
- App won't open or opens after long delays
- Crashes on iOS 11 and newer versions
- Incompatible with iPhone X and newer models
- Data not updating for days or weeks
- Crashes when searching for vessels
- Freezing issues after recent updates
- Map not displaying on iPad
- App crashes in low power mode
- Vessel information not loading correctly
- Inconsistent performance across iOS versions
- App becomes unstable after working briefly
- Zoom functionality broken in multiple versions

**Most requested features**

- Real-time GPS tracking instead of delayed AIS data
- Distance measurement tool restoration
- German language support
- Destination and departure information display
- Ability to remove ads without expensive pro version
- Better search functionality in free version
- Vessel departure time information
- Improved map zoom functionality
- Live results in search function
- Picture display before clicking on vessel
- Better map background/quality
- Local time display instead of UTC only
- Ability to delete incorrect vessel photos from profile

## Recent user reviews (10 of 213)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vesselfinder/id918080862/reviews.md

### 4/5 — Couverture partielle

*2026-08-05*

En de nombreux endroits peu fréquentés, il n’y a pas de récepteurs mais c’est l’application la plus performante du marché en 2026

### 1/5 — Massive Lag

*2026-08-02*

The position of vessels know to us is sometimes 2 or 3 days old, even though our friends tell us their AIS is transmitting. I keep getting a prompt to upgrade to satellite positioning for £300 a year, which is odd when it is effectively available for free. Started well and switched from Marine Traffic but it’s heading in the same monetisation direction.

### 2/5 — Werbung gut und schön, aber

*2026-08-02*

Es erscheinen Mitteilungen, die gefakte Google-Mitteilungen öffnen. Darin die Mitteilung, dass mein iPhone mit Viren verseucht ist und ich im Appstore einen bestimmten Virenscanner laden soll. Pfui zu solcher Werbung. 
Schade, denn nach Umstellung von Marinetraffic, hatte ich mich gerade mit Vesselfinder angefreundet

### 5/5 — Top Notch program

*2026-07-28*

With the fleet feature and the embed code our website just got a lot more interesting.

### 1/5 — currently useless

*2026-07-18*

Currently updates are not working so the app doesn’t work. Even on my pro subscription

**Developer response:** Hi, please contact us at info@vesselfinder.com. There are no other complains so we would like to investigate your issues further.

### 2/5 — Dysfonctionnements

*2026-07-16*

En ce moment l’application ne fonctionne que par à coup. 
Aujourd’hui je ne trouve pas mon voilier zen3. 
J’ai effectué mardi 14 juillet le trajet :
Rosas. /. Marseillan et peu de trace mis à part la première heure. 
Avez vous un problème ?
Jeanjack.soutade@
gmail.com

### 4/5 — Good free options

*2026-07-07*

I have used marine traffic for a while but giving this a go as it seems to provide more options

### 5/5 — Glad to have changed from the basic downgraded marine traffic to vessel finder - 👏🏻

*2026-07-06*

Delighted to see land markings on the maps - easy to track my vessels - does what it says - perfect !

### 3/5 — BARTAVELLE II

*2026-06-12*

Non conforme - photo 1 et dimensions voilier ne correspondent pas à mon voilier. Comment le changer 
Mon MMSI : 227 445 370 
Oceanis 41.1 Longueur 12 mètres Largeur 4,20 mètres 
Port d’attache Palavas Les Flots - France

### 1/5 — Update

*2026-06-08*

Nach dem letzten Update der light Version, kann man keine Distanzen mehr ausmessen. Sehr schlechte Entscheidung der Entwickler!

## Frequently asked questions about VesselFinder

### What does VesselFinder do?

VesselFinder provides real-time information on ship positions and movements worldwide. It uses a network of AIS receivers to deliver insights into global maritime activity, including vessel tracking, movement history, and predicted routes.

### What are the key features of VesselFinder?

Key features include real-time tracking of over 300,000 vessels daily, vessel movement history with track visualization, predicted routes and ETAs, comprehensive vessel particulars, port call details, and the ability to save favorite vessels in 'My Fleet'.

### Is VesselFinder free to use?

The app is free to download and use with ads. Extended real-time coverage via satellite and roaming AIS sources is available through a subscription, indicating a freemium or free with in-app purchases model.

### What kind of information can I find about a vessel?

You can find detailed vessel particulars, including technical specifications and cargo capacity information. Additionally, contact details for the owning company, manager, and ISM manager are often available, along with port call history.

### How accurate is the vessel tracking data?

VesselFinder strives for accuracy using a powerful network of AIS receivers. However, vessel visibility depends on AIS signal availability, and while near-shore coverage is consistent, the completeness of the information cannot be guaranteed.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 6.5.0 — 2026-07-08

stability improvements

### 6.4.9 — 2026-06-25

Improved map interactivity and responsiveness when selecting track points

### 6.4.7 — 2026-06-19

Improved saved password login functionality

### 6.4.6 — 2026-06-08

stability improvements

### 6.4.1 — 2026-05-22

stability improvements

## Apps similar to VesselFinder

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [MyShipTracking](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/myshiptracking/id1403038386) | 4.4 (4,487) | Free | Navigation |
| [Ship Tracker — Ship Radar](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ship-tracker-ship-radar/id1603140458) | 3.5 (11) | Free | Navigation |
| [FindShip - Track vessels](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/findship-track-vessels/id768240068) | 3.5 (993) | Free | Navigation |
| [Navionics® Boating](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/navionics-boating/id744920098) | 2.9 (2,321) | Free | Navigation |
| [Seawatch24 Marine Traffic AIS](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/seawatch24-marine-traffic-ais/id437775747) | 4.7 (43) | Free | Navigation |
| [Ship Finder Lite](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ship-finder-lite/id324177409) | 4.3 (3,175) | Free | Navigation |

## More apps by AstraPaging Ltd.

- [VTExplorer Mobile](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vtexplorer-mobile/id441089698)
- [VesselFinder Pro](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vesselfinder-pro/id608985698)
- [CruiseMapper](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cruisemapper/id1032294427)

All apps by AstraPaging Ltd.: https://appshunter.io/developer/438160792

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-27.*