Comparison

MarineTraffic vs CruiseMapper

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

MarineTraffic

Track vessels live worldwide using AIS data. View ship positions, movements, and voyage history with detailed vessel information and enhanced weather monitoring. Unlock advanced features for deeper visibility and extended coverage with a Pro plan.

Highlights
  • Live vessel tracking worldwide
  • Ship positions and movements
  • Voyage history and key events
  • Detailed vessel information
  • Enhanced maps with weather monitoring
  • Fleet monitoring and alerts
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Welcome to MarineTraffic. You spoke, we listened. Based on feedback from our customers, the MarineTraffic app has been updated to deliver a faster, clearer, and more reliable way to track vessels and monitor maritime activity worldwide. MarineTraffic is used by maritime professionals, shipping companies, port authorities, and enthusiasts around the world. With MarineTraffic 2.0, the experience you rely on has been improved, while keeping the core tools you already know and trust. If you’ve used MarineTraffic before, you’ll feel at home straight away. The main features remain familiar, now supported by better performance, clearer maps, and a more stable foundation built for the future. With MarineTraffic, you can: Track vessels live worldwide using AIS data View ship positions, movements, and voyage history with key events along the route Build and monitor your chosen fleet by following specific vessels Access detailed vessel information such as type, destination, speed, and course Explore enhanced maps with close weather monitoring, including wind conditions A unified MarineTraffic experience The new MarineTraffic brings core tools together into one unified mobile app experience. The new app focuses on clarity, reliability, and ease of use, improving performance while keeping the experience familiar. Maps load faster, interactions feel smoother, and information is presented more clearly, supporting both everyday use and professional maritime workflows. What’s improved in MarineTraffic: Faster performance across maps and weather views Clearer visuals and smoother interactions throughout the app Improved platform stability and reliability All your key tools in one app, including close weather monitoring Unlock more with the Mobile Pro Plan The Mobile Pro Plan brings advanced capabilities together for users who need deeper visibility and extended coverage. With Mobile Pro, you can: Track vessels beyond coastal coverage using Satellite AIS, including activity in open oceans Access advanced fleet monitoring tools for wider oversight Follow vessels with extended historical data and deeper insights Gain access to additional maritime data layers for professional use Mobile Pro expands your vessel tracking capabilities when standard AIS coverage is not enough. Mobile Pro is designed for users who need a broader, more complete view of global vessel movement. Designed for real-world use MarineTraffic is used in many different ways, from fleet management to vessel tracking. MarineTraffic is designed to support these use cases without adding unnecessary complexity. You can follow vessels and fleets important to you, set up alerts, and explore global vessel traffic in real time. Vessel details, voyage history, and close weather monitoring are accessible in one place, helping you stay informed without switching between tools. MarineTraffic builds on everything users already rely on, with a faster, clearer, and more dependable mobile experience designed to support maritime activity around the world. Download MarineTraffic to explore global vessel traffic with improved speed, clarity, and reliability. --- Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/p/privacy-policy Subscriptions auto-renew at the end of each billing period unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the renewal date. Renewals are charged to your Apple ID account. You can manage and cancel your subscription in your App Store account settings after purchase.

About

CruiseMapper

Discover and plan your next vacation with a comprehensive database of cruises. Explore detailed itineraries, port schedules, ship reviews, and real-time ship locations. Find your ideal cruise from thousands of options across numerous cruise lines and ships.

Highlights
  • Detailed itineraries and port schedules
  • Cruise ship reviews and videos
  • Current position of cruise ships
  • Special features and technical details
  • Database of cruise lines, ships, and cruises
Features
Read full description

CruiseMapper is an impartial cruise information app with thousands of cruises to show the travelers. CruiseMapper features include: - detailed itineraries and port schedules - cruise ship reviews and videos - current position of cruise ships - special features and technical details - a lot more useful information about the cruise ship you choose The future-cruisers might search the database of nearly 30 cruise lines, 320+ cruise ships and over 20,000 cruises to find the perfect cruise. If you really need to find your special cruise, then this is the right place to look. With CruiseMapper you'll find schedules for all cruises departing from ports around all over the world. Helping you select the perfect one to you, saving you the extra expenditures you would do otherwise. Important: If you experience any problem with the App, please fill this form to contact us http://www.cruisemapper.com/contact instead of writing a review here. We will do our best to solve it. Thanks! Connect with CruiseMapper - on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CruiseMapper - on Google+ https://plus.google.com/+Cruisemapper - on our website http://www.CruiseMapper.com

Screenshots

MarineTraffic4 screens
CruiseMapper4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: MarineTraffic at 4.7 against CruiseMapper's 3.6. MarineTraffic also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 9 days vs every 5 months). CruiseMapper's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 14). On price, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. MarineTraffic sells 14 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. CruiseMapper asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

MarineTraffic holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: MarineTraffic has 65K ratings behind it against 118, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 50% of MarineTraffic's written reviews are positive against 37% of CruiseMapper's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

MarineTraffic ships an update every 9 days, CruiseMapper every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 17, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
MarineTraffic versus CruiseMapper: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMarineTrafficCruiseMapper
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (65K ratings) — better3.6 (118 ratings)
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews — better36.7% of reviews
Number of ratings65K — better118
Update frequencyEvery 9 days — betterEvery 5 months
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesAd-supported — better
Best chart rank#22 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.615.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size153 MB38 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMarineTraffic Applications LTDAstraPaging Ltd.

Customer experience

MarineTraffic

All ratings64,984 ratings
Positive94.9%
Neutral2.2%
Negative2.9%
Written reviews3,071 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral5.2%
Negative44.7%

CruiseMapper

All ratings118 ratings
Positive57.6%
Neutral13.6%
Negative28.8%
Written reviews109 reviews
Positive36.7%
Neutral13.8%
Negative49.5%

User reviews

MarineTraffic

From 65K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Accurate location tracking
  • 👍 Useful for maritime enthusiasts
  • 🔍 Provides detailed ship information
  • 🌍 Good worldwide coverage
  • 🙌 Helpful for monitoring loved ones at sea

Room to improve

  • 💰 Paywall for many features
  • 🕰️ Delayed or outdated ship positions
  • 🤔 Confusing interface and navigation
  • 🔍 Limited free features
  • 🔋 Drains device battery

CruiseMapper

From 118 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🗺️ Accurate real-time ship tracking
  • 📍 Comprehensive ship location information
  • 📋 Detailed itineraries and port schedules
  • 🚢 Extensive database of cruise ships
  • 🎨 Clean and intuitive interface

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent app crashes and freezes
  • 📍 Inaccurate ship location tracking
  • 🔄 Slow or delayed location updates
  • 🎯 Ships disappearing from map display
  • 🔍 Difficulty zooming in/out on map

Bugs and requests

MarineTraffic

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Frequent crashes or freezes
  • Inconsistent or unreliable ship data
  • Difficulty canceling subscriptions
  • Compatibility issues with newer devices

Requested features

5 requests
  • Real-time ship tracking
  • Improved map and interface design
  • More free features and data access
  • Ability to track multiple ships simultaneously
  • Integration with other maritime apps and services

CruiseMapper

Reported bugs

15 issues
  • Ships disappear after a few seconds on map
  • Cannot see ships unless searched individually
  • Zoom functionality inverts (zooms out when trying to zoom in)
  • App freezes when switching between ships
  • Cannot tap on another ship while viewing one
Show 10 more
  • Ships appear stationary despite movement data
  • Location updates take excessive time
  • App crashes on launch (iPad compatibility issue)
  • Blank map with no ships or continents displayed
  • Cannot scroll across map smoothly
  • Glitchy performance after January 2024 update
  • Unresponsive interface after extended use
  • Force quit required to view different ships
  • Clipboard access requests without clear purpose
  • Temu ad malware redirecting users

Requested features

13 requests
  • Favorites section for frequently tracked ships
  • Deck plans for all ship versions (iOS parity with Android)
  • Show route feature on app (currently on website only)
  • Filter options to hide river boats and ferries
  • Ability to save/lock multi-segment cruise itineraries
Show 8 more
  • Copy and paste itinerary functionality
  • Map-specific cruise viewing with port visualization
  • More map style options
  • Smoother ship trajectory lines
  • Local time display for each destination
  • Paid/subscription option to remove ads
  • More cruise line filter categories
  • Exclude icebreakers from display

In-app purchases

14 purchases

MarineTraffic

Subscriptions11
  • Advanced Density Maps Monthly$1.991 Month
  • Nautical Charts Monthly14 Days trial$2.991 Month
  • Mobile Pro Plan$4.991 Month
Show 8 more
  • Nautical Charts Monthly$6.991 Month
  • Weather Maps Layers Monthly14 Days trial$8.991 Month
  • Starter Plan Annual$9.991 Year
  • Advanced Density Maps Annual$16.991 Year
  • Nautical Charts Annual14 Days trial$29.491 Year
  • Mobile Pro Plan7 Days trial$29.991 Year
  • Nautical Charts Annual$66.991 Year
  • Weather Maps Layers Annual14 Days trial$95.991 Year
One-time3
  • Route Planner$0.99
  • Access Plus 24$0.99
  • Augmented Reality$2.99
None

CruiseMapper

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is MarineTraffic free?
MarineTraffic is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is CruiseMapper free?
CruiseMapper is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, MarineTraffic or CruiseMapper?
MarineTraffic is rated higher. MarineTraffic averages 4.7 out of 5 from 65K ratings, while CruiseMapper averages 3.6 from 118 ratings.
Do MarineTraffic or CruiseMapper have ads?
CruiseMapper shows ads; MarineTraffic does not.
Which is updated more often, MarineTraffic or CruiseMapper?
MarineTraffic ships an update every 9 days, and CruiseMapper every 5 months. Most recently, MarineTraffic was updated on September 25, 2026 and CruiseMapper on September 17, 2026.

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