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ActiveCaptain®

ActiveCaptain®

Connect to Your GPS Plotter

5K ratings
890 reviews
#27 in top-grossing Navigation
🗺️ Navigation
Free
In-App Purchases

Details

  • Released
  • Updated
  • November 7, 2017
  • June 25, 2026

Developer

Garmin
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ActiveCaptain® screenshot #1 for iPhone
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ActiveCaptain® screenshot #5 for iPhone
ActiveCaptain® screenshot #6 for iPhone
iphone
ipad
🧾$59.99 - $249.99
In-App Purchase↘︎
📈no. 27
Charts↘︎
📌Ready
Reviews summary↘︎
⭐890
Reviews↘︎
📝27+ tags
Tags↘︎
🔄6+ apps
Alternatives↘︎
❓5 answered
FAQ↘︎
📦~ in 2 months
Updates frequency↘︎
🖼️Get Icon
Icons↘︎

About

This app connects your mobile device to compatible Garmin chartplotters, enabling wireless chart and map transfers, software updates, and route planning. It also provides access to a community of boaters for reviews and information on marinas and points of interest.

✓Wireless chart and map transfer
✓Route and waypoint planning
✓ActiveCaptain Community for POI reviews
✓Chartplotter control via Helm feature
✓Easy software updates
✓OnDeck system monitoring
✓Garmin Quickdraw Community map sharing
Show original description

What users say

Summarized from real user reviews of ActiveCaptain®. Based on 5K reviews and a 4.0/5 average, it highlights the 5 positives and 5 negatives reviewers mention most about this Navigation app.

Positive things

  • 👍Easy to use
  • 🚀Seamless integration with Garmin devices
  • 💡Useful for planning trips and managing waypoints
  • 🚀Convenient for updating software and charts
  • 👍Great app for Garmin users

Negative things

  • 🐛Frequent crashes and connection issues
  • 🔍Limited chart and mapping functionality compared to competitors
  • 🤔Difficult to transfer data between devices
  • 🤔Confusing and not very intuitive user interface
  • 💰Expensive for the features provided
See all reviews

What's New in ActiveCaptain®

44.0

June 25, 2026

Bug fixing and optimization

Subscription plans

g4 Vision U.S. South

VUS006R-g4 Vision U.S. South

$129.991 Year
How to cancel ActiveCaptain® subscription ⁉️
11

In-App Purchases

$99.99

US+Great Lakes Detail Map

Marine Chart

Charts

Top Grossing

📈 27+1

Navigation

This app rose +1 position in Navigation chart.

Last updated on September 17, 2026.

Top Free

📈 131+1

Navigation

This app rose +1 position in Navigation chart.

Last updated on September 17, 2026.

User reviews

Most RecentHighest RatedLowest Rated

Cory

Very user friendly!
csud a1csud a1

Great way to stay up to date!!

The UHD chartplotter with Active Captain is the bomb!! easy update straight from cell to the unit!
the crossmakerthe crossmaker

Great application

Works seamlessly with our GPSMAP 923xsv with Ondeck system - keep up the good work and enhancements please!!!
Dick546Dick546

Don’t leave the dock without it!

Great companion with my Livescope. Allows preplanning on unfamiliar lakes, and perfect to uploaded fish attractant ares to boat database
Tony AtcTony Atc

Great app

So far it’s all very easy to understand, easy to use and I’m sure going to be great on the water.
FishingsnookFishingsnook
See 885 more reviews

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User experience

🐞

Reported Bugs

4 issues

Charts and maps not loading properly

Bug

Waypoints and routes not syncing correctly

Bug

Constant prompts to purchase additional charts

Bug

Compatibility issues with older Garmin devices

Bug
✨

Requested Features

5 requests

Ability to duplicate and edit existing routes

Feature

Sync user data across multiple devices

Feature

Improved chart detail and coverage

Feature

Animated tides and currents

Feature

Better integration with other navigation apps

Feature

FAQ

What does the ActiveCaptain app do?

The ActiveCaptain app connects your compatible mobile device to your Garmin chartplotter. It allows you to wirelessly transfer charts, maps, software updates, routes, and waypoints. You can also access a community of boaters for reviews on marinas and points of interest, and even control your chartplotter remotely.

What are the key features of the ActiveCaptain app?

Key features include OneChart for purchasing and transferring new Garmin Navionics+ and Vision+ cartography, Plan a Trip for route planning, User Data Sync for backing up data, the ActiveCaptain Community for POI information, the Helm feature to control your chartplotter, easy software updates, OnDeck system monitoring, and the Garmin Quickdraw Community for HD contour maps.

Is the ActiveCaptain app free to use?

The ActiveCaptain app itself is free to download and use. However, it offers in-app purchases for new Garmin Navionics+ and premium Garmin Navionics Vision+ cartography. Some features, like NOAA raster cartography, can be downloaded for free.

What devices is the ActiveCaptain app compatible with?

The app is designed to connect with compatible Garmin chartplotters. It is intended for Garmin chartplotter owners and is not recommended as a stand-alone navigational app. Specific compatibility details for chartplotters and mobile devices can be found on the Garmin website.

How can the ActiveCaptain app help with boating trips?

The app helps with trip planning by allowing you to plan routes and e-scout fishing spots before you are on the water, then transfer this data to your chartplotter. The ActiveCaptain Community provides valuable insights into marinas, boat ramps, and other points of interest through user reviews and ratings, helping you make informed decisions.