Comparison

MarineTraffic vs Train Beacon

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

Train Beacon

Visualize train locations and real-time schedules in augmented reality or on a map. Get instant updates on train times, platform information, and service status for Great Britain and London Underground. Pro features include widgets, incident reports, and advanced train tracking.

Highlights
  • Augmented reality train visualization
  • Map-based train tracking
  • Real-time train times
  • Platform information
  • Service incident reports
  • Home screen widgets
Features
Read full description

* NEW: Brand new train allocations and carriage count information is now available in Train Beacon Pro (subscription required) * Train Beacon shows estimated, interpolated GB* train positions in augmented reality and on a map. Point your phone in the approximate direction that the track is running and see the estimated, interpolated position and distance of trains from your nearest station as beacons overlaid on-screen in augmented reality. See Great Britain and London Underground real-time train times almost instantly from your nearest stations. Displays platform information where available. Automatically loads train times from your nearest station or loads train times from a station that you select from the stations screen. Filter train times by destination station. Features Widgets (Pro subscription required) Easily see train times, cancellations, London Underground service indicators, rail incidents and service status on your homescreen. Incidents (Pro subscription required) Easily see information about the service status and news about rail incidents and current / future maintenance. The incidents screen includes information such as the incident details, routes affected, date/s of incident and direct links to the relevent National Rail Enquiries page and map, where available. Includes London Underground service status and incidents. Augmented Reality mode (Pro subscription required) Picture real-time train information in an interactive real-world environment. See nearby trains*, railway stations and London Underground stations in an immersive augmented reality experience. The app will locate trains that are departing from your nearest station and display them. Tapping on a train reveals more information about its calling points and last reported location. AR mode is available with a Pro subscription. *National Rail trains only, and some trains are not displayed. Train Tracker (Pro subscription required) Using it’s advanced geo-location capabilities, combined with real-time train data and it’s UK rail network map, the app predicts the estimated, interpolated location of National Rail trains at any given time. The estimated train location is displayed on a map, with information about whether the service is currently running early, on-time or late. High precision information The app can report times from intermediary passing points such as junctions, providing you with a high level of precision and accuracy about the current status of a given train’s journey. Packed with detailed train information like number of carriages, train category, power type (eg EMU), timing load (eg Class 323), planned maximum speed (eg 90mph max), seating classes, reservations, catering, and operating characteristics (eg DOO). This information is only available if data has been supplied by the TOC. Some TOCs don't supply carriage data. The app can also show the calling point times and route map for London Undergound trains, if this data has been supplied by TfL. Safety Info Not for use in safety critical applications, level crossings, etc. Train position is estimated from latest available timing point data and may be incorrect. Care must be taken during use. Other trains may be present that are not indicated in the AR or train tracker mode of the app such as trains not stopping at the nearest station and also freight trains. Freight and non passenger trains are not displayed in the app. For your safety do not use your phone while you walk and take extreme care using the app near trains and railways. App powered by National Rail Enquiries & TfL Open Data, it contains public sector information from Network Rail licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 and contains information of Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

MarineTraffic4 screens
Train Beacon4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: MarineTraffic at 4.7 against Train Beacon's 3.5. MarineTraffic also leads on ratings volume (65K vs 2) and update cadence (every 10 days vs monthly). On price, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases 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 and Train Beacon sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

MarineTraffic holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: MarineTraffic has 65K ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 50% and 50% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

MarineTraffic ships an update every 10 days, Train Beacon monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 19, 2026 and October 17, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
MarineTraffic versus Train Beacon: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMarineTrafficTrain Beacon
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (65K ratings) — better3.5 (2 ratings)
Positive reviews49.6% of reviews50.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings65K — better2
Update frequencyEvery 10 days — betterMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
Best chart rank#21 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.615.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size157 MB76 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMarineTraffic Applications LTDChristopher Riches

Customer experience

MarineTraffic

All ratings64,997 ratings
Positive94.9%
Neutral2.2%
Negative2.9%
Written reviews3,100 reviews
Positive49.6%
Neutral5.4%
Negative45.0%

Train Beacon

All ratings2 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews16 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral6.3%
Negative43.8%

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

Train Beacon

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

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
1 purchases

Train Beacon

Subscriptions1
  • Train Beacon Pro (Monthly)1 Month trial$4.991 Month

Questions

Is MarineTraffic free?
MarineTraffic is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Train Beacon free?
Train Beacon is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, MarineTraffic or Train Beacon?
MarineTraffic is rated higher. MarineTraffic averages 4.7 out of 5 from 65K ratings, while Train Beacon averages 3.5 from 2 ratings.
Do MarineTraffic or Train Beacon have ads?
Neither MarineTraffic nor Train Beacon shows ads.
Which is updated more often, MarineTraffic or Train Beacon?
MarineTraffic ships an update every 10 days, and Train Beacon monthly. Most recently, MarineTraffic was updated on October 19, 2026 and Train Beacon on October 17, 2026.

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