# VesselFinder vs PortPocket

The clearest difference is rating: VesselFinder at 4.2 against PortPocket's 3.3. VesselFinder also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 2) and ratings volume (274 vs 7). PortPocket's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (weekly vs fortnightly). On price, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. PortPocket sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. VesselFinder asks for nothing beyond the download.

VesselFinder holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 3.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: VesselFinder has 274 ratings behind it against 7, so its average is the more settled of the two.

VesselFinder ships an update fortnightly, PortPocket weekly. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | VesselFinder | PortPocket |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.2 (274 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vesselfinder/id918080862/reviews)** | [3.3 (7 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/portpocket/id6746732519/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **274** | 7 |
| Positive reviews | 28.2% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Size | 47 MB | 31 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 18.5 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [AstraPaging Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/438160792) | [Christopher Dejong](https://appshunter.io/developer/1818184881) |

## What reviewers say

### VesselFinder

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vesselfinder/id918080862)

Track ships and monitor maritime traffic globally in real-time. Access detailed vessel information, movement history, and predicted routes. Ideal for maritime professionals and enthusiasts alike.

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

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 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

**What reviewers complain about**

- ⏱️ 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

**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

**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


### PortPocket

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/portpocket/id6746732519)

Navigate the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach with detailed terminal information, interactive maps, and precise GPS tools. Find terminals, get directions, and access layout details to work more efficiently.

**Highlights:** Interactive terminal maps, One-tap navigation integration, Search by terminal name, Real-time GPS positioning, Distance calculations, Detailed terminal layouts (Premium)

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium | $2.99 | per month |
| Premium | $19.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is VesselFinder free?

VesselFinder is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is PortPocket free?

PortPocket is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, VesselFinder or PortPocket?

VesselFinder is rated higher. VesselFinder averages 4.2 out of 5 from 274 ratings, while PortPocket averages 3.3 from 7 ratings.

### Do VesselFinder or PortPocket have ads?

VesselFinder shows ads; PortPocket does not.

### Which is updated more often, VesselFinder or PortPocket?

VesselFinder ships an update fortnightly, and PortPocket weekly. Most recently, VesselFinder was updated on October 24, 2026 and PortPocket on October 24, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*