MarineTraffic adds Data Visualizations, Shipping & Trade, and Alerts coverage that OpenCorporates skips.
VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
★ FINANCIAL TOOLS & SERVICES DIRECTORY ★
PRICE: 5 CENTS
Sunday, October 5, 2025
Head-to-head
MarineTraffic vs OpenCorporates comparison
Compare pricing, supported platforms, categories, and standout capabilities to decide which tool fits your workflow.
Quick takeaways
OpenCorporates includes Regulatory Filings Monitoring, and Other categories that MarineTraffic omits.
MarineTraffic highlights: Live Map with advanced filters, including ship type, capacity, status, and custom smart filters., Notifications for port calls, area entries, vessel movements (speed, course changes, drifting), AIS data updates (ETA, destination, draught), proximity events (STS, tug, pilot, bunkering), and AIS-coverage changes, delivered via email, mobile push, or archive., and CSV exports from vessel and port databases, with monthly quotas depending on plan: Basic (5), Essential (300), Enterprise (10,000)..
OpenCorporates is known for: 230M+ company records spanning 145+ jurisdictions, aggregated from 140+ official registries with full provenance and source links., Versioned REST API with JSON (default) or XML output; API keys required. Free tier provides up to 200 requests per month (50 per day)., and OpenRefine Reconciliation API allows entity-matching from company names to legal identifiers..
MarineTraffic ships a mobile app. OpenCorporates is web/desktop only.
MarineTraffic
marinetraffic.com
Global AIS vessel tracking platform with map views, alerts, voyage history, and data exports. Many features are plan-gated: CSV export quotas, Past Track history, detailed Route Forecasts, and the number of Custom Areas you can define. API access is available with an API key, and mobile apps provide push notifications.
Platforms
Pricing
Quick highlights
- Live Map with advanced filters, including ship type, capacity, status, and custom smart filters.
- Notifications for port calls, area entries, vessel movements (speed, course changes, drifting), AIS data updates (ETA, destination, draught), proximity events (STS, tug, pilot, bunkering), and AIS-coverage changes, delivered via email, mobile push, or archive.
- CSV exports from vessel and port databases, with monthly quotas depending on plan: Basic (5), Essential (300), Enterprise (10,000).
- Past Track playback varies by plan: Free (1 day), Essential (7 days), Enterprise (up to 5 years, in 7-day playback windows).
- Route Forecast tools: Basic shows path previews; Essential and Enterprise unlock ETA and speed details.
Community votes (overall)
OpenCorporates
opencorporates.com
The world’s largest open database of legal entities, offering both a public-facing search and an API. Free access is available for personal or public-benefit use, while commercial API access and bulk datasets require a paid plan. Bulk deliveries are provided via SFTP in CSV format, and the platform includes a public status page for web, API, knowledge base, and SFTP availability.
Platforms
Pricing
Quick highlights
- 230M+ company records spanning 145+ jurisdictions, aggregated from 140+ official registries with full provenance and source links.
- Versioned REST API with JSON (default) or XML output; API keys required. Free tier provides up to 200 requests per month (50 per day).
- OpenRefine Reconciliation API allows entity-matching from company names to legal identifiers.
- Enterprise bulk access via SFTP, with six structured CSV datasets (Companies, Officers, Non-Registered Addresses, Alternative Names, Additional Identifiers, and Relationships).
- Relationships dataset includes 30M+ links covering subsidiaries, branches, control statements, and shareholdings, with data from sources like the SEC and UK PSC.
Community votes (overall)
Shared focus areas
1 overlapBoth tools cover this research theme.
Where they differ
MarineTraffic
Distinct strengths include:
- Live Map with advanced filters, including ship type, capacity, status, and custom smart filters.
- Notifications for port calls, area entries, vessel movements (speed, course changes, drifting), AIS data updates (ETA, destination, draught), proximity events (STS, tug, pilot, bunkering), and AIS-coverage changes, delivered via email, mobile push, or archive.
- CSV exports from vessel and port databases, with monthly quotas depending on plan: Basic (5), Essential (300), Enterprise (10,000).
- Past Track playback varies by plan: Free (1 day), Essential (7 days), Enterprise (up to 5 years, in 7-day playback windows).
OpenCorporates
Distinct strengths include:
- 230M+ company records spanning 145+ jurisdictions, aggregated from 140+ official registries with full provenance and source links.
- Versioned REST API with JSON (default) or XML output; API keys required. Free tier provides up to 200 requests per month (50 per day).
- OpenRefine Reconciliation API allows entity-matching from company names to legal identifiers.
- Enterprise bulk access via SFTP, with six structured CSV datasets (Companies, Officers, Non-Registered Addresses, Alternative Names, Additional Identifiers, and Relationships).
Feature-by-feature breakdown
Attribute | MarineTraffic | OpenCorporates |
---|---|---|
Categories Which research workflows each platform targets | Shared: Data APIs Unique: Data Visualizations, Shipping & Trade, Alerts | Shared: Data APIs Unique: Regulatory Filings Monitoring, Other |
Asset types Supported asset classes and universes | Other | Other |
Experience levels Who each product is built for | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced |
Platforms Where you can access the product | Web, Mobile, API | Web, API |
Pricing High-level pricing models | Free, Subscription | Free, Subscription |
Key features Core capabilities called out by each vendor | Unique
| Unique
|
Tested Verified by hands-on testing inside Find My Moat | Not yet | Not yet |
Editor pick Featured inside curated shortlists | Standard listing | Standard listing |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which workflows do MarineTraffic and OpenCorporates both support?
Both platforms cover Data APIs workflows, so you can research those use cases in either tool before digging into the feature differences below.
Do MarineTraffic and OpenCorporates require subscriptions?
Both MarineTraffic and OpenCorporates keep freemium access with optional paid upgrades, so you can trial each platform before committing.
Which tool has mobile access?
MarineTraffic ships a dedicated mobile experience, while OpenCorporates focuses on web or desktop access.
What unique strengths set the two platforms apart?
MarineTraffic differentiates itself with Live Map with advanced filters, including ship type, capacity, status, and custom smart filters., Notifications for port calls, area entries, vessel movements (speed, course changes, drifting), AIS data updates (ETA, destination, draught), proximity events (STS, tug, pilot, bunkering), and AIS-coverage changes, delivered via email, mobile push, or archive., and CSV exports from vessel and port databases, with monthly quotas depending on plan: Basic (5), Essential (300), Enterprise (10,000)., whereas OpenCorporates stands out for 230M+ company records spanning 145+ jurisdictions, aggregated from 140+ official registries with full provenance and source links., Versioned REST API with JSON (default) or XML output; API keys required. Free tier provides up to 200 requests per month (50 per day)., and OpenRefine Reconciliation API allows entity-matching from company names to legal identifiers..
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Curation & Accuracy
This directory blends AI‑assisted discovery with human curation. Entries are reviewed, edited, and organized with the goal of expanding coverage and sharpening quality over time. Your feedback helps steer improvements (because no single human can capture everything all at once).
Details change. Pricing, features, and availability may be incomplete or out of date. Treat listings as a starting point and verify on the provider’s site before making decisions. If you spot an error or a gap, send a quick note and I’ll adjust.