Looking for a
MarineTraffic alternative?
Here is an honest side-by-side, including the places where we are clearly weaker. If you only need a dot on a map, either tool will do. The difference shows up in what sits behind the dot.
Open the live map — freeThe short version
What we do differently
- Owner, ISM manager, class society, P&I and the Port State Control record are on the vessel page, not in an enterprise tier.
- No account or card to see whether the tool is useful to you.
- A calculated arrival estimate sits next to the crew-reported ETA, with a confidence score that explains its own reasoning.
- No banner advertising anywhere.
Where MarineTraffic is ahead
- Its own network of terrestrial AIS receivers, so positions refresh faster near coasts.
- Satellite AIS, so fewer gaps in mid-ocean.
- An archive going back years; ours reaches 30 days.
- Native iOS and Android apps. We are web only.
- A far larger community photo library.
Feature by feature
| Feature | MarineTraffic | ShipWatch |
|---|---|---|
| Live AIS map worldwide | Yes | Yes |
| Account required to see vessel detail | Limited without an account | No account needed |
| Registered / beneficial owner | Enterprise plan | On the vessel page |
| ISM (technical) manager | Enterprise plan | On the vessel page |
| Classification society & P&I | Enterprise plan | On the vessel page |
| Port State Control inspections | Paid plan | On the vessel page |
| Past track | Paid plan | Yes |
| Port call log | Paid plan | Yes |
| Calculated ETA next to reported ETA | No | Yes, with confidence score |
| Port pages with worldwide inbound vessels | Yes | Yes, 20,696 ports |
| Company pages linked to full fleet | Yes | Yes |
| Own terrestrial AIS receiver network | Yes, large | No — data via provider |
| Satellite AIS | Yes | No |
| Historical archive depth | Years | 30 days |
| Mobile app | iOS & Android | Web only |
| Banner advertising | Yes | None |
MarineTraffic plan details are taken from its own public support documentation. Plans change; check their site for the current position. ShipWatch figures are measured on our live system.
Questions people ask
Is ShipWatch a free alternative to MarineTraffic?
Yes. The live map, vessel pages, past track, port pages and company pages are free and need no account or card. Paid tiers are planned but are not on sale and no payment is taken.
What does ShipWatch show that MarineTraffic keeps behind a plan?
Registered and beneficial owner, operator, ISM (technical) manager, commercial manager, classification society and P&I club. MarineTraffic's own documentation states the Vessel Ownership feature is available exclusively as part of its Enterprise plan.
Where is MarineTraffic better?
In coverage and history. MarineTraffic operates its own network of terrestrial AIS receivers and buys satellite AIS, so positions are fresher and open-ocean gaps are smaller. Its archive goes back years and it has mobile apps. ShipWatch has none of these yet and we will not pretend otherwise.
Where does ShipWatch data come from?
AIS broadcast by vessels themselves, delivered through a commercial data provider, plus commercial maritime registers for ownership, class and inspection records. AIS is self-reported and can be incomplete, delayed or wrong.
Can I use ShipWatch for navigation?
No. ShipWatch is not a navigational aid and must never be used for navigation, collision avoidance or any safety-critical decision. It is a commercial intelligence tool.
Try it on a ship you know
Search a vessel you work with and see whether the page answers your questions. No account, no card.
Open ShipWatch