# Simrad: Companion for Boaters — user reviews > 313 indexed App Store user reviews of Simrad by Navico Norway AS, rated 4.60/5 from 2,513 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simrad-companion-for-boaters/id1476822749/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simrad-companion-for-boaters/id1476822749.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 2,080 · 4★ 239 · 3★ 37 · 2★ 37 · 1★ 120 ## What do users think of Simrad? Overall sentiment: negative **Pros** - 🚀 Great navigation - 🚀 Accurate charting - 🚀 Useful planning features - 🚀 Seamless integration with Simrad hardware - 👍 User-friendly interface - 👍 Helpful for fishing and boating **Cons** - 🐛 Frequent crashes and freezes - 🐛 Syncing issues with Simrad devices - 🐛 Unreliable offline maps - 🐛 Buggy and unstable - 👎 Poor customer support - 👎 Difficult to use and navigate **Commonly reported bugs** - App crashes on launch - Sync issues with Simrad chartplotters - Offline maps not working as expected - Coordinates not recognized properly - Routing issues and inaccurate routes **Most requested features** - Import/export of routes and waypoints - More customization options - Better weather and tide data integration - Improved auto-routing capabilities - Support for more device types ## Newest reviews (20 of 313) ### 2/5 — Crashes *2026-09-08, version 4.6.1* When the app works, it works good. Lately, when I use the app it crashes. Tried to delete and re install. Nothing is working. Very frustrating. ### 2/5 — Not worth a subscription and wish I did not get Simrad on our boat *2026-08-24, version 4.6.1* For months I click settings and it just spins trying to load. I delete the app and reinstall and it works for a week and then the same. Nothing ever saves in the settings when it works. I go back in and any changes I have made go back to the defaults. Multiple times I have contacted Simrad and never hear from anyone. If you have an app it should get better and if you are charging a subscription you should provide service for your customers. ### 2/5 — Crashes *2026-08-23, version 4.6.1* The app would be great but only works a a hand full of times most of time it crashes before it loads. Wether on wifi or cellular ### 2/5 — Crashes, sync problems, practically unusable and ZERO customer support. *2026-08-17, version 4.6.1* The app is so buggy it’s almost unusable. I would love for it to work since navigation apps crashing while at sea are a big problem. The app keeps asking me for feedback. So I tried to give Simrad feedback. That part of the app DOESN’T WORK EITHER. Here is what I tried to send them… I have multiple issues. Lately the map can take up to 2 minutes to load and the app will often crash before it loads. This is when I have good reception / bandwidth and location is working fine since I can pinpoint my location on Apple Maps and other apps that need my location. Every time I click on weather in setting the app goes into a permanent spinning state. It doesn’t matter if I quit the app or even hard reboot my phone, nothing gets it out of that state. I end up having to delete the app and re-install to get it working again. This happens 100% of the time when going into weather settings. Syncing between the app and phone is very tedious and prone to crashes. It will sometimes “sync” for ten minutes when it really is doing nothing at all. I often have to sit at my helm and tether my phone to my Simrad so I can log into c-map to sync routes, tracks, and places. This is embarrassing since it can often take over 10 minutes while my guests are wondering what’s wrong with my boat (while I silently curse). I was able to register my Simrad GO7 XSR the once. But I had to delete the app to get it working at all. Now it won’t register anymore. I have deleted the unit and reset / deleted the app I also removed the unit from c-map. I am very frustrated with syncing my pre planned routes, places or tracks. This app is pretty embarrassing. There always seems to be a hiccup and it takes far too long to figure out what to do. It’s to the point that the app is becoming unusable. I am on an iPhone 16 pro running the latest iOS I am in the tech / computer field so it is not that I am inept It is 100% software and synchronization related issues. I have found that the C-Map (a closely integrated app since my Simrad uses C-Map) has almost identical problems. This is probably because they are hurt subsidiaries of the same company and the same people write both apps or use an underlying part to power both apps. I seriously WON’T buy my next boat with a Simrad. It’s my mistake for believing the Simrad materials, websites and representatives. NOT ONE person / user I have talked to has described Simrad as bug free, easy to use or intuitive. The only people who would be interested in this app are people who own a Simrad. We are all stupid for believing a company that releases software updates for our units that breaks the entire unit and requires a very time consuming re-setting up I will never update the boat unit software again. It will stay at this version until I get rid of it (hopefully this year). ### 2/5 — Disappointed *2026-08-16, version 4.6.1* Was good until the update, all contour lines have disappeared. Setting never save and cannot sync with my actual Simrad unit on my boat. I will not be paying for another year, pretty disappointing. ### 2/5 — Want to like but forced to hate *2026-08-13, version 4.6.1* No matter how much I want to love the app bc it links and saves all my waypoint, there are too many continuous glitches that I cannot rely on it to be functional when needed. It constantly faults out and resets itself when I’m doing anything. When inputting gps, the number fault out and get stuck in glitch mode where it won’t input. It’s just really annoying. Will be switching to Garmin with active captain as soon as my Simrad craps out. Want to like, forced to hate. ### 1/5 — Very poor *2026-08-12, version 4.6.1* Half the time it just shuts off when you tap the red field where the map should be. Rout planning is a pain. The Garmin app is easier to use and more reliable. ### 2/5 — Poor support and frequent problems. *2026-08-11* The app keeps asking me for feedback. So I tried to give Simrad feedback. That part of the app DOESN’T WORK EITHER. Here is what I tried to send them. I have multiple issues. Lately the map can take up to 2 minutes to load. Thus is when I have good reception and location is working fine since I can pinpoint my location on Apple Maps. Every time I click on weather in setting the app goes into a permanent spinning state and I end up having to delete and re-install to get it working again. I was able to register my Simrad GO7 XSR the first time I used the app, but it won’t register anymore. I have deleted the unit and reset / deleted the app I also removed the unit for c-map. I am very frustrated with syncing my pre planned routes, places or tracks There always seems to be a hiccup and it takes far too long to figure out what to do. It’s to the point that the app is becoming unusable. I am on an iPhone 16 pro running the latest iOS I am in the tech field so it is not that I am inept, it is 100% software and synchronization related issues. ### 1/5 — Has not worked since update *2026-08-09, version 4.6.1* Has not worked since update. Really need to fix the bugs app was working well tried to get support it sends you to their website but no response ### 4/5 — Se plante *2026-08-08* Excellent app sauf si vous activez les MAJ automatique dans préférences, ça tourne sans fin puis l’app se plante. Fermez l’app et ça plante tjrs. Il faudra redémarrer l’iPhone pour que ça plante plus. Mais ouvrir prefererences et rebelote… ### 2/5 — Awesome features but Pretty bad app *2026-08-08, version 4.6.1* Great features but always crashes on me and can’t get the settings to stay the way I leave it. Have to constantly delete app and reinstall. It crashes all the time. It doesn’t georeference when I have no cell service which is frustrating since I use it as a backup navigation aid. Love it and hate it at the same time. ### 2/5 — Paid premium now app force closes 5sec after load up *2026-08-03, version 4.6.1* I was ok with the app before. Saw premium was 14.99 a year. Paid for it . Now the app force closes after about 5-7sec after i start it up. Looks like ill be paying for a red simrad logo. Back to savvynavvy i guess. ### 1/5 — Constantly Crashing *2026-07-30, version 4.6.1* I am not sure why the app is constantly crashing, but every time I open it, a few seconds later it just randomly closes. It was not doing this before I bought the premium version. Please fix as it is now completely unusable. ### 1/5 — Crashing app *2026-07-29, version 4.6.1* Constantly crashes. SUCKS ### 1/5 — Crashing constantly *2026-07-29, version 4.6.1* Horrible app, it keeps crashing and I cannot currently use it. It will not accurately hold my home port it keeps shifting the location. ### 1/5 — Crashes on every startup *2026-07-28, version 4.6.1* App was working great previously . I Porsches the subscription few days later it won’t even open it just crashes ### 1/5 — Glitchy, freezes and now crashes on startup *2026-07-18, version 4.6.1* Dreadful app, how hard can it be to make an app that syncs with your own chartplotters. Trying to sync produced multiple errors on both chart plotter and app, then it appeared to have worked but none of the tracks synced across, now the app crashes on startup. And they make me pay for this privilege twice, by forking out for their chartplotter and an app subscription. Sort it out you money grabbing incompetents. ### 1/5 — Difficult to Use *2026-07-16, version 4.6.1* This App needs some serious updates. Locks up if you click on settings, extremely difficult to pair with the new NSO4. You need another internet source other than your phone. Garmin’s Active Captain is light years ahead. It’s so difficult to use, I don’t even use it. Just frustrating!!! ### 2/5 — App is terrible *2026-07-12, version 4.6.1* I love my Simrad unit but this app is garbage. Slow, freezes up, won’t sync with my unit. How can this get an average of 4.6 stars in the App Store? Those positive reviews are rigged for sure. Complete garbage. ### 1/5 — Nothing but headaches *2026-07-10, version 4.6.1* Every time I try to access the settings part of the app, I get nothing but the spinning wheel. I have uninstalled and reinstalled it. I check for updates. It never works! Also 95% of the time I try to Sync with my plotter it won’t. Very frustrating, I have zero confidence in Simrad products. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Crash always after start *2026-09-08, version 4.6.1* I start the app on an iPhone 16 pro max , lastest updates . After I see the default screen and try to hit any function it crashes. Can’t use the app where I payed for. Please contact me asap ### 1/5 — Want to like but FORCED TO HATE IT *2026-09-04, version 4.6.1* No matter how much I want to love the app, there are too many continuous glitches that I cannot rely on to be functional when needed. It constantly faults out and resets itself when I’m doing any task (waypoint search, scanning map, gps coordinates). When inputting gps, the numbers fault out and get stuck in glitch mode where it won’t input. It’s more really annoying, it’s useless most times! Will be switching to Garmin with active captain as soon as my Simrad craps out. Want to like, forced to hate. ### 1/5 — Constant crashing *2026-09-04, version 4.6.1* Just an unbelievably unreliable app. Crashes constantly. Can’t be relied upon for anything. Huge potential but mostly a waste of time. ### 1/5 — Crashes *2026-09-03, version 4.6.1* Constantly crashes, reinstalled multiple times on both iPhone and IPad. ### 1/5 — Really wish it worked *2026-09-03, version 4.6.1* This app has so many bugs and glitches I can’t even use it anymore. I’ve been using it for the past few years and have managed to deal with many of the unreliability issues but now I can’t even use it at all. The app just crashes every time it opens. Sometimes it will actually populate a map before crashing but most times it just freezes and closes out. Why can’t SIMRAD get their app to function properly year after year? It’s actually embarrassing. ### 1/5 — Bugged *2026-08-28, version 4.6.1* App keeps crashing and you can’t even open up the app anymore. Every time you go to open it, it crashes after 5 seconds. I’ve deleted the app multiple times and reinstalled it. App is up to date. Nothing works to keep it from crashing. ### 1/5 — Maps are ok app sucks *2026-08-23, version 4.6.1* Was fishing off the west coast of Vancouver Island NO CELL SERVICE OR DATA. I have a simrad chart plotter and electronics / radar on my boat but still pay for the app as a back up and to easily search/navigate areas. The app logged me out randomly and couldn’t log back in until I had cell service. I find this to be a really poor experience and will probably just cancel my subscription because of it. ### 1/5 — Extremely unstable and syncing is very unreliable. *2026-08-21, version 4.6.1* The Simrad app has a lot of potential and some genuinely useful features, but unfortunately the overall experience is extremely unstable. The biggest problem is syncing with my Simrad chartplotter. Getting routes, waypoints and other data to sync between the app and the boat has been frustratingly unreliable and at times seems nearly impossible. The app also frequently gets stuck with a loading spinner that never finishes. I have experienced this simply opening Settings or changing certain preferences, and the problem can persist even after closing and reopening the app. I have also experienced frequent crashes and ultimately had to delete and reinstall the app just to get it working properly again. This is especially disappointing because the charting and integration with Simrad hardware should make this a very useful companion app. Instead, I find myself hesitant to change settings because I don’t know whether the app will become stuck again. For an app intended to complement expensive marine navigation equipment, reliability and synchronization should be fundamental. I hope Simrad/Navico focuses on stability, reliable cloud syncing, and seamless communication with its chartplotters. The ecosystem could be excellent if these basic reliability issues were fixed. ### 1/5 — Glitchy *2026-08-19, version 4.6.1* When you open the app, it closes on its own after a few seconds seconds ### 1/5 — Crashed and hard to use *2026-08-16, version 4.6.1* The simrad app crashes regularly. Also the Simrad team should look at the Navionics app - the difference in auto-route and manual editing is night and day. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Great app to support awesome sounders *2026-06-05, version 4.6.0* I love my Simrad NSS9 Evo 3 sounder, but it’s made even better by this useful and well featured app. Great for visually plotting routes before hitting the water, plus backing up and sharing information between units. ### 5/5 — Easy *2026-05-31, version 4.6.0* Great electronics easy app ### 5/5 — Should be ZERO Stars *2026-03-01, version 4.6.0* The fact that I have to come to the Apple Store to review should say it All!! I cannot keep the app open long enough to rate within the app. The most unstable, useless, and antiquated app ever. However, you can tell they change it; FIR THE WORSE every time!!! Call me if you want to know exactly what’s going on. Too long to write. ### 5/5 — Navigation made easy *2026-01-03, version 2.5.4* The shaded relief is the most effective method to find fishing and diving spots ### 5/5 — Absolute rubbish *2025-12-04, version 2.5.4* This app and the Lowrance app keep crashing or occasionally there is a pathetic attempt to open then crashes. And yes, I have the latest operating system and all updates are up to date. Looks like I am going to convert to Garmin ### 5/5 — Simrad Nautical *2025-09-23, version 2.5.4* A very good, well designed Chart Recorder and Depth/fish finder. Being new, it took me a few trips to master the many options, I’ve just scratched the surface of its versatility, luckily I have many friends that use such names as Garmin, Lawrence, Faruno and Humminbird, to name a few, and functionality seems similar. The ability to access this functionality remains the challenge. Some details are difficulty to drill down and access, but my knowledge grows and I’m pleased with the capabilities and operation. Looking forward to integrating a radar function - ease of add-on was one reason I chose this brand. Appreciate the engineering and the durability. ### 5/5 — Top App *2025-07-21* Bin mit der App zufrieden . Leicht verständlich online zu bedienen. ### 5/5 — Amazing *2025-06-07, version 2.5.2* Great ### 5/5 — Shark Beat *2025-05-30, version 2.5.2* Nices ### 5/5 — Great software *2025-05-03, version 2.5.2* Awesome system with a lot of options once you learn the system. --- *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 2026-09-10.*