What ShipNext sells
ShipNext describes itself as a digital shipping marketplace. Cargo and ships are matched automatically, e-mails are processed into positions and requests, and a desk can run freight tenders. It also offers electronic bills of lading, contract management and tracking of cargo and ships.
A free Limited Access plan gives access to the marketplace, and the paid plans add the trading tools. We have not used ShipNext, so this page describes it from its own site.
Where Neptune Atlas is different
Both products match cargo to tonnage and both read e-mail. Neptune Atlas starts from the ship and the desk's own book; ShipNext starts from the market.
The register with the four ownership roles
Desk and aboveEvery hull keyed on IMO number, with the registered owner, group owner, technical manager and commercial manager kept apart, so the company to write to is on the record.
Mailbox reading on the entry plan
Desk and aboveCirculars and cargo enquiries read from the desk's own mailbox on Desk. On ShipNext, real-time e-mail processing is listed on Professional.
The fixture book
Desk and aboveRate, basis, laycan, parties and status, with the recap kept as it was issued.
Laytime from a signed statement of facts
Chartering and aboveThe agent's statement of facts read into a time sheet, with demurrage or despatch worked out from it.
Voyage estimate to a daily figure
Chartering and aboveBunkers by grade, port costs, canal dues and commission, worked to a time charter equivalent per day.
Where ShipNext is better
Trading on the platform. Freight tenders, electronic bills of lading and contract management. The Neptune Atlas marketplace is where a conversation starts; the negotiation and the documents stay in your own mail.
Sending out. Professional lists e-mail distribution to open positions. Neptune Atlas tracks outreach on Fleet but is not built for mass mailing.
Tracking. ShipNext Monitor follows cargo and ships through the supply chain. Neptune Atlas shows a ship's last AIS position but does not track cargo.
A freight calculator on the trading plan. Trading Desk, at €799 a year, includes one. Our estimator is on Chartering, at $999.99 a year for one broker.
The price
ShipNext's plans as published, read on 2 October 2026.
| ShipNext plan | Price | What the plan lists |
|---|---|---|
| Limited Access | Free | Access to the marketplace |
| Trading Desk | €799 a year | Matching, position imports, list management, freight calculator |
| Professional | €999 a year | Adds real-time e-mail processing and mailing to open positions |
| Monitor | On request | Adds cargo and ship tracking |
From shipnext.com/pricing, read on 2 October 2026. Check it rather than take it from here.
Neptune Atlas has a free account with the register and three marketplace listings. Desk is $59.99 a month or $599.99 a year for one broker, and Chartering is $99.99 a month. Every figure is on the pricing page. For the wider market, see the best ship chartering software for small desks.