# Charts & Tides — user reviews > 33 indexed App Store user reviews of Charts & Tides by Navimatics Corporation, rated 2.10/5 from 17 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/charts-and-tides/id757086914/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/charts-and-tides/id757086914.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 3 · 4★ 1 · 3★ 1 · 2★ 2 · 1★ 10 ## Newest reviews (12 of 33) ### 1/5 — Do not support these people *2017-03-19, version 5.4.15229* I bought this app for a high price. Used and it was pretty good. They no longer support that version. Got a new phone and now I have to re-buy the same app. They do not answer emails. Do not risk it. ### 1/5 — No support *2017-03-16, version 5.4.15229* Made three separate attempts over two weeks to contact Navimatics for technical support. No response from the app provider. Charts I paid $55 for are now useless. Time to move on, suggest you do the same. ### 1/5 — Charts and tides *2016-11-01* A pretty useless app that gives you nothing until you pay substantial amounts. No real coverage outside North America so don't bother with it ### 1/5 — Not impressed *2016-02-25, version 5.4.15229* I have been using the navimatics version 4.7 and decided to upgrade to 5.4. The new features are great (route function, etc.) but unlike the old version you have to purchase ($54) the charts for each device! Two emails to the developer and no response...unimpressed. ### 1/5 — Useless without $$$ *2016-02-03, version 5.4.15229* What they don't tell you is that the app is worthless without purchasing charts from them. There's plenty of name brand chart packages that I would trust, as well as FREE charts from NOAA. Deleted! ### 1/5 — Problematic and Unsupported *2015-08-06, version 5.3.15159* I used the original version of this software for a few years. It was cutting edge when it was new, but grew increasingly clunky. It is not a intuitive piece of software and you have to really learn how to use it. Consequently, when the revised version came out I hesitated, especially as I’d have to pay for updated charts (I’d already paid, right?). Anyway, last night, after reviewing the new features—it appeared to once more offer some really useful stuff—I decided to upgrade and now I’m feeling a bit like an idiot. I have now spent about two hours trying to get the charts I purchased in the app to download and load into the app. I wont go into detail on everything I’ve tried, but I’ve pretty much exhausted my options and I still can’t get the chart to download (and it requires the charts in order to offer any functionality whatsoever). When I went to the website to see if there was a FAQ or something explaining how to make it work, I discovered there is nothing like that. Instead clicking support send you directly to an email and you get to send off your problem to them. That might not be too bad but, I know from my experience with the company’s desktop version of this software, it may be days or weeks before I get a reply. Frustrating. Also, I should note that, with the desktop version of this software, I discovered a pretty significant error (it reversed the ebb and the flood on the current predictions—that’s big right?) and notified them, the response was slow and tepid: They were aware of the problem and promised a fix in the next update. That update took at least three months to materialize. Nite: I alitle research indicates that this is a one-man software company. That’s not promising. Given all the above, I would stay away from this app (and, really, any software from Navimatics). Maybe you’ll be like all those other raving customers (I mean, sheesh, I live in Seattle, this company is in Kirkland, I could probably paddle to their door) but, really, I’d like to like (even love) this software, but it seems to be pretty much crap. ### 1/5 — Forced to spend lots of money *2015-06-16, version 5.2.15146* Do Not Download. It does absolutely nothing until you spend $25 or more on chart maps in app. No tide times. No data at all. No wonder the aren't any reviews. No one uses it. Should never be under "free" category. ### 1/5 — Rip Off! *2015-04-01, version 5.1.14073* The is complete rip off. Save your money do not buy. I can not get it to down load! Real POS! ### 1/5 — Disgusted *2015-01-02, version 5.1.14073* Useless app, a total waste of money and the user's manual is pathetic. For instance, there is no way to delete a route once created, it's difficult to place or move waypoints on the charts. I just blew $50 on a total POS. ### 1/5 — Just FYI *2014-07-21, version 5.1.14073* This app requires you to purchase charts. Without the charts it will show you where your boat is on a body of water and which direction you are going. It will not show you what water you are on or any river names. ### 2/5 — Boater *2014-07-15, version 5.1.14073* Another bait and switch app ### 1/5 — No maps and no maps available for outside usa *2014-04-21, version 5.1.14073* I read the description for this app and expected there would be some content available for the rest of the world. Sadly no, it's just for the usa and it not exactly cheap. Looks like a good app if you want to spend the $$$ and only sail near america. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Do Not Buy this App *2018-07-31, version 5.4.15229* I have been using this app for years and was very happy with it but it seems they have now stopped upgrading and supporting but are still happy to sell to anyone stupid enough to buy it!! I changed phones and tried to restore my purchased charts but could not. Emails to support are totally ignored. Changing to another product. Very disappointed! ### 1/5 — Loss of charts *2018-07-31, version 5.4.15229* Upgraded my phone, downloaded the app and no charts came with it. Went to restore previous purchases, nothing! Nice way to rip me off there Navimatics. I guess you expect consumers not to upgrade so they stay on par with your product.....old and inferior. ### 1/5 — Complete Rip-off *2018-07-04, version 5.4.15229* I would give NO STARS FOR NOTHING if I could but app won’t allow. After getting the app and paying $25 for the charts it worked. Shortly after Active Captain stopped working and then so did the chart. When I try to use the chart they want me to buy it again. I’ve tried numerous e-mails - no response. STAY CLEAR unless you want to donate $25 for nothing. ### 1/5 — Do not purchase from this developer!!!! *2018-06-30, version 5.4.15229* I bought the first generation of this app several years ago for as I remember around $25.00. I then noticed rather than fixing and upgrading the existing app they put out an upgraded app for $50.00. I emailed them and after lots of back forth they reluctantly gave me the new app for free. Now neither app works and the developer doesn’t seem to be updating them anymore. I see they are now charging for another one! These people are crooks! Don’t do business with these people! ### 1/5 — Abandoned? *2018-06-06, version 5.4.15229* This app was once good. The charts have not been updated since 2016 and connectivity to active captian is broken. Don't bother with this one. ### 1/5 — Charts and Tides US East *2018-04-12, version 5.4.15229* I bought this app also. Worked great. My phone is now on IOS 11. This app needs to be updated to work with my phone. Tried to contact developer. No response. They should give customers the updated version that works with the newer IOS instead of taking the “Screw You” stance and not even respond to a valid issue. Navigate far far away from this app.....!!! ### 1/5 — No maps for my area *2018-03-22, version 5.4.15229* I paid the $54, installed the download and there are no maps for the area I am in even though it says they are part of my purchase. Two messages to the developer and no responses in a week! ### 1/5 — Pointless for any country other than USA *2017-12-30, version 5.4.15229* No maps for the rest of the world. ### 1/5 — Good scam *2017-12-23, version 5.4.15229* Didn’t update their previous app made people purchase all over again ### 1/5 — Charts & Tides *2017-10-31, version 5.4.15229* Once my ISO was updated it pretty much rendered this app useless, it appears that I now have to spend another $57 to get it to even function, to say the least I’m not one bit impressed. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Best navigation app for iPad, no contest *2015-08-19, version 5.3.15159* This app is a complete rewrite of the old Charts and Tides with much improved capability and in now much faster with the 64 bit support. - The charts have much more detail now with labels for buoys, Active Captain markers and other marine features. - Touching the screen brings up a menu of all objects close by. The great feature of this format is that it looks for all boundaries of forbidden areas including no anchoring zone, cable areas, no snorkeling areas, no discharge zones, etc. in other apps you have to search the chart for where the boundary lines are which may be far from where you are at and then determine if you are inside the lines, not an easy thing to do on a busy chart. It's a great safety feature of this app that's not implemented in any other app! - Like the charts, the entire Active Captain database is stored inside the app for instant use. I cannot over emphasize the importance of having current hazard data as you negotiate shallow areas of the ICW. Other apps have AC data too but this app does an especially good job of displaying that data and if you do have an internet connect then you can update Action Captain cloud database in real time so other captains can see the latest information. This is a great app, you won't go wrong. ### 5/5 — Top notch navigation app *2015-03-09, version 5.1.14073* Update on review after a year of use. I enjoyed using the earlier version of this app, but it was missing a few key things for route planning. I gave up and started using the clunky, kind of ugly Garmin app at that point. Those problems have all been fixed and this is now one of the best on the market. From its aesthetically pleasing charts, easy navigation tools, ActiveCaptain interface, current vectors (really useful where I boat), this is now my nav app that I use while underway. Kudos to the developer. Unlike other reviews I have had zero problems with this app. ### 5/5 — Stable and accurate *2014-08-29, version 5.0.13362* Pacific NW boater here. The app works great and just as accurate as my onboard plotter. The on screen current vectors are very helpful in planning routes. A necessity when traveling deception pass area. ### 5/5 — Not Disappointed now *2014-01-31, version 5.0.13362* Was excited at using this app. Unfortunately, the chart won't download and it is stuck at 0%. I have reloaded the app several time and followed all instructions. I am out 19.99. If someone can help, this could be a 5 star app. UPDATE - WAS ABLE TO DOWNLOAD AFTER iPad RESET. APP IS GREAT!! ### 4/5 — I like it *2014-05-30, version 5.1.14073* I find it well done. Active Captain integration is a plus ### 3/5 — Must make purchase *2017-09-28, version 5.4.15229* In order for this app to be usable, you must purchase the charts. Otherwise, it's worthless. ### 3/5 — Probably nice, but no upgrade offered *2014-03-31, version 5.1.14073* I've used the previous version for some time, and I like it a lot. I was looking forward to the update, but it turns out I can't use it without spending another $20? There is no update path for current users without basically buying it all over again. ### 2/5 — Chart updates *2019-01-19, version 5.4.15229* Does this chart app ever get chart updates? There is no mention of that. I guess most of the charts are four years or older in this app Since the last version update was in 2015? ### 2/5 — Chart Bait *2018-09-07, version 5.4.15229* Baits you. Must purchase expensive charts to use. ### 2/5 — Flawed *2014-08-06, version 5.1.14073* Chart app works fine, unfortunately the ActiveCaptain database would not download into the app. The best attempt got to 11% before the download would freeze. App was active, ipad not asleep, occurred over multiple days and after several reinstalls. Please fix this! --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-08.*