Comparison

VesselAware vs VesselFlow

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

Head to head
About

VesselAware

Features
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VesselAware™ transforms marine VHF voice communications into real-time, geospatial intelligence. VesselAware™ delivers transcribed and translated radio traffic, detected locations, vessel information, and categorized maritime events alongside existing AIS and operational data. VesselAware™ identifies distress calls, hazards, hails, security events, and other activity as it happens, turning previously isolated voice communications into structured, location-aware data. The result is a richer Common Operating Picture that gives watchstanders and decision-makers a more complete understanding of maritime activity across their area of responsibility. VesselAware™ makes boating safer and less stressful by transforming VHF radio communications into easy-to-understand alerts and information. Get notified about urgent calls, nearby hazards, and hails to your boat while seeing relevant vessel activity on a clear map.

About

VesselFlow

Explore a live map of global marine traffic in real-time. Track cargo ships, ferries, yachts, and more, viewing their current position, speed, and destination. Enhance your experience with detailed vessel specifications and voyage information through an optional subscription.

Highlights
  • Real-time ship positions
  • Global marine traffic map
  • Detailed vessel information
  • Search by name, MMSI, or IMO
  • Personal watchlist
  • Full vessel specifications (Pro)
  • Live voyage details (Pro)
Features
Read full description

Watch the world's ships move in real time. VesselFlow is a live ship tracker that turns global AIS data into a beautiful map of marine traffic. Follow cargo ships, tankers, cruise liners, ferries, tugs, fishing boats, and sailing yachts anywhere on the map. Maritime pro, ship spotter, or just curious about the vessel on the horizon? VesselFlow makes it effortless to find a ship, see where it's headed, and explore global shipping in a single tap. HOW IT WORKS: Open VesselFlow and explore the live map of ships worldwide. Tap any vessel for its name, type, speed, and heading. Search by name, MMSI, or IMO to find a specific ship. Add vessels to your watchlist and follow them anytime. LIVE SHIP MAP: • Real-time vessel positions from live AIS data. • Worldwide coverage of ports, coastlines, and busy shipping lanes. • A fluid, density-aware map that reveals more ships as you zoom in. • Vessels color-coded by type, so you can read the traffic at a glance. TAP ANY VESSEL: • Name, ship type, and country flag. • Live speed, course, and heading. • Its recent track, drawn right on the map. SEARCH & FOLLOW: • Instant search by vessel name, MMSI, or IMO. • Find vessels near you. • Build a personal watchlist of the ships you care about. • Jump back to recently-viewed vessels. TRACK ANYTHING AT SEA: • Cargo ships, container ships, tankers, and bulk carriers. • Cruise ships, passenger ferries, yachts, and sailing boats. • Tugs, pilot boats, fishing vessels, and more. FREE TO USE: The live map, search, watchlist, and live vessel details are free, with optional in-app purchases to unlock more. Upgrade to VesselFlow Pro: Full vessel specifications: length, beam, draught, gross tonnage, deadweight, year built, home port, and call sign (where available). Live voyage: destination, estimated arrival (ETA), and route progress. In-depth track history: recent track with speed, distance, and timeline stats. VesselFlow Pro is available as an auto-renewable subscription: Weekly, Monthly, or Annual. Subscription details: Payment is charged to your Apple Account at purchase confirmation. Auto-renews unless turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Your account is charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period, at the stated cost. Manage subscriptions and turn off auto-renewal in your Account Settings. DISCLAIMER: • VesselFlow is unaffiliated with any shipping company, vessel operator, or maritime authority. • Positions come from publicly-broadcast AIS data and may be delayed, incomplete, or unavailable. • For informational use only, not for navigation or any safety-of-life-at-sea decision. Privacy Policy: https://caseadri.com/vesselflow/privacypolicy.html Terms & Conditions: https://caseadri.com/vesselflow/termsandconditions.html Support: vesselflow-support@caseadri.com

Screenshots

VesselAware1 screens
VesselFlow4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: VesselAware at none against VesselFlow's 3. VesselAware also leads on update cadence (daily vs every 2 weeks) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.0). On price, ads and device support 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. VesselFlow sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days. VesselAware asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

VesselAware ships an update daily, VesselFlow every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 29, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
VesselAware versus VesselFlow: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterVesselAwareVesselFlow
PriceFreeFree
Rating—4.1 (9 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—9 — better
Update frequencyDaily — betterEvery 2 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Free with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size43 MB37 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperAltamar Technologies IncStephen Fung

In-app purchases

None

VesselAware

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

VesselFlow

Subscriptions3
  • Weekly$3.997 Days
  • Monthly$9.991 Month
  • Yearly$39.991 Year

Questions

Is VesselAware free?
VesselAware is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is VesselFlow free?
VesselFlow is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do VesselAware or VesselFlow have ads?
Neither VesselAware nor VesselFlow shows ads.
Which is updated more often, VesselAware or VesselFlow?
VesselAware ships an update daily, and VesselFlow every 2 weeks. Most recently, VesselAware was updated on September 29, 2026 and VesselFlow on October 2, 2026.

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