Comparison

MarineTraffic vs Ship Tracker

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

Ship Tracker

Track ships live on the ocean, view their routes, destinations, and arrival times. Access detailed port information and manage your own fleet. Ideal for maritime enthusiasts, professionals, and travelers.

Highlights
  • Real-time vessel monitoring
  • Expected arrivals
  • Port details
  • Customizable fleet management
  • User-friendly search
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Explore the ocean with our new Ship Tracker app. Whether you're a maritime enthusiast, a professional in the industry, or simply an avid traveler, our app offers a wealth of features tailored to meet your needs. Experience the thrill of tracking vessels in real-time, accessing details about their routes, destinations, and estimated arrival times. Plan your coastal adventures and stay informed about new ships entering ports, giving you the ultimate edge in exploring new horizons. For Industry Professionals: Effortlessly manage vessel traffic, streamline port operations, and gain valuable insights into maritime activities. Our app provides you with detailed information about port statuses, vessel specifics, and current maritime conditions, empowering you to make informed decisions and efficiently handle maritime operations. Key Features: - Real-time vessel monitoring: Get live updates on vessel locations, routes, and schedules. - Expected arrivals: Plan ahead with information on anticipated vessel arrivals at ports. - Port details: Access comprehensive port information, including country, codes, and vessel counts. - Customizable fleet management: Add, remove, and track vessels according to your preferences. - User-friendly search: Seamlessly search for specific ports or vessels and explore detailed vessel information effortlessly. Benefits for All Users: Gain access to additional insights such as vessel types, callsigns, and specific vessel details, providing an all-encompassing experience for maritime exploration, leisure, or work-related needs. With a beautiful interface and intuitive design, our Ship Tracker app is your passport to the world of maritime adventure. Stay ahead of the tide, plan your voyages, and explore the high seas effortlessly. Download our app today and embark on your maritime journey with confidence! Ahoy, adventure awaits! By using our app you agree to our Terms of Services: https://sites.google.com/view/ship-tracker-terms

Screenshots

MarineTraffic4 screens
Ship Tracker4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: MarineTraffic at none against Ship Tracker's shown. MarineTraffic also leads on review sentiment (50% vs 24%) and ratings volume (65K vs 1.8K). On price, rating, update cadence 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 Ship Tracker sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for MarineTraffic against 4.6 for Ship Tracker. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: MarineTraffic has 65K ratings behind it against 1.8K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 50% of MarineTraffic's written reviews are positive against 24% of Ship Tracker's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

MarineTraffic ships an update every 9 days, Ship Tracker fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
MarineTraffic versus Ship Tracker: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMarineTrafficShip Tracker
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (65K ratings) — better4.6 (1.8K ratings)
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews — better23.7% of reviews
Number of ratings65K — better1.8K
Update frequencyEvery 9 days — betterFortnightly
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#24 — better#139
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.614.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size153 MB68 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMarineTraffic Applications LTDRocketech sp. z o.o.

Customer experience

MarineTraffic

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

Ship Tracker

All ratings1,754 ratings
Positive89.7%
Neutral4.0%
Negative6.3%
Written reviews76 reviews
Positive23.7%
Neutral2.6%
Negative73.7%

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

Ship Tracker

From 1.8K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Great app
  • 🚀 Excellent tool
  • 👍 Accurate app
  • 👍 Helpful app

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Glitchy app
  • 🐛 Outdated information
  • 🐛 Doesn't work properly
  • 🔒 Forced subscription
  • 🐛 Unreliable tracking

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

Ship Tracker

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Ads not working
  • Crashes frequently
  • Tracking issues
  • Incorrect vessel locations

Requested features

4 requests
  • Free vessel pictures
  • Ability to set location
  • Improve search functionality
  • Better open sea tracking

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
4 purchases

Ship Tracker

Subscriptions4
  • Unlimited Access$3.997 Days
  • Unlimited Access$7.991 Month
  • Unlimited Access7 Days trial$17.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Unlimited Access$34.991 Year

Questions

Is MarineTraffic free?
MarineTraffic is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Ship Tracker free?
Ship Tracker is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, MarineTraffic or Ship Tracker?
MarineTraffic is rated higher. MarineTraffic averages 4.7 out of 5 from 65K ratings, while Ship Tracker averages 4.6 from 1.8K ratings.
Do MarineTraffic or Ship Tracker have ads?
Ship Tracker shows ads; MarineTraffic does not.
Which is updated more often, MarineTraffic or Ship Tracker?
MarineTraffic ships an update every 9 days, and Ship Tracker fortnightly. Most recently, MarineTraffic was updated on September 25, 2026 and Ship Tracker on September 24, 2026.
Which is more popular, MarineTraffic or Ship Tracker?
MarineTraffic currently peaks at #24 in the App Store charts, and Ship Tracker at #139. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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