Comparison
An SES Alternative for Geosteering Teams
SES from Stoner Engineering is a long-established Windows geosteering application built on Microsoft Access and Excel. GeoMaster is a newer, browser-based platform with a free plan. Here is an honest comparison, using only what Stoner Engineering states publicly.
Everything in the SES column is taken from Stoner Engineering’s own public description of the product, checked on 25 October 2026: www.makinhole.com/SES_Features.htm. Where Stoner Engineering does not state something, this page says “not stated” rather than “no”: a marketing page cannot prove a product lacks a feature. If anything here is out of date or wrong, tell us and we will correct it.
| Capability | GeoMaster | SES |
|---|---|---|
| Runs in a browser, no install | Yes | No (Windows software requiring Microsoft Access and Excel); browser-based Report Service for reports |
| Where it runs | Hosted by GeoMaster (UK South) | On-premises or on your own cloud (stated) |
| Stratigraphic geosteering against a type well | Yes | Yes (rescaled, derived and multiple type logs stated) |
| Model-based geosteering | Yes | 3DStratBlock method and 3D grid stated |
| Dogleg severity, apparent-to-true dip, TVD, net pay | Yes | Directional surveys and dip/TVD auto-calibration stated |
| Several users on the same project at once | Yes (per-plan seat limits) | Yes (same database, same time, stated) |
| WITSML connection | Yes (1.4.1.1, on-demand pulls) | Yes (up to 3 servers, WITSML 1.2, 1.3 and 1.4) |
| Regulatory well plan and survey reports | No (reporting is on the roadmap) | Yes (stated) |
| Operational dashboard for the whole team | Yes (DrillTracker) | Not stated |
| AI assistant over project data | Yes (GeoEngine) | Not stated |
| Pricing published on the website | Yes (free to £1,999 / $2,999 per month billed annually, excl. VAT) | Yes (rental $1,100 to $1,400 per licence per month; purchase $37,000 per licence plus $4,800 a year maintenance) |
| Free plan | Yes (1 project) | Trial on request |
| Track record | Newer platform | In use since 2006 by 265+ companies (stated) |
When SES is the better choice
- →You want to buy a licence outright and run it on your own machines or cloud, including machine-specific and flash-drive licences.
- →Your team already has years of SES projects and workflows built around Access and Excel.
- →You need regulatory well plan and survey reports today. GeoMaster reporting is still on the roadmap.
- →You want a tool with a long field record. Stoner Engineering states use since 2006 by more than 265 companies.
When GeoMaster is the better choice
- →You do not want to depend on Windows, Microsoft Access and Excel. GeoMaster runs in any modern browser, Mac included.
- →You want to start on a free plan and move to a subscription, rather than buy a $37,000 licence or commit to a rental.
- →You want geologists, drillers and client reps on the same well in one browser workspace, with DrillTracker for the whole team.
- →You want an AI assistant over your project data (GeoEngine) and UK data residency.
Learn more
Try it on a real well before you decide
The free plan covers one project with no card required, so you can put GeoMaster on your own data rather than take a comparison table’s word for it.