# Absolute Tides vs AirmarCAST™

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Absolute Tides at 67% against AirmarCAST™'s 25%. AirmarCAST™'s advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 11). On price, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Absolute Tides sells 11 one-off in-app purchases. AirmarCAST™ asks for nothing beyond the download.

Absolute Tides ships an update every 5 months, AirmarCAST™ every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 11, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Absolute Tides | AirmarCAST™ |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | **[2.6 (5 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/airmarcast/id1492428585/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **5** |
| Positive reviews | **67.1% of reviews** | 25.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | **Every 3 months** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 30 MB | 112 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.6** | 16 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Darren Edwards](https://appshunter.io/developer/1055828981) | [Airmar Technology Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1062316789) |

## What reviewers say

### Absolute Tides

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/absolute-tides/id1055828982)

Access official UKHO tidal data offline for up to a year in advance. View monthly tide tables, daily charts, and tidal streams. Includes weather forecasts and anchoring assistance.

**Highlights:** Offline UKHO tidal data, Annual data plugins, Monthly tide tables, Daily tide charts, Tidal stream view, Met Office weather forecast, Anchoring assistance

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (11)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| UK Tides 2016 | Free | one-time |
| UK Tides 2017 | Free | one-time |
| UK Tides 2018 | Free | one-time |
| UK Tides 2019 | Free | one-time |
| UK & Eire Tides 2020 | Free | one-time |
| UK & Eire Tides 2021 | Free | one-time |
| UK & Eire Tides 2022 | $2.99 | one-time |
| UK & Eire Tides 2023 | $2.99 | one-time |
| UK & Eire Tides 2024 | $2.99 | one-time |
| UK & Eire Tides 2026 | $2.99 | one-time |
| UK & Eire Tides 2025 | $2.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use and straightforward
- 🚀 Accurate tide and time data
- 🗺️ Useful for pre-trip planning
- 🌊 Excellent for real-time navigation at sea
- 💰 Good value for money

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 App crashes or stops working
- 📅 Updates stop at the end of the year
- 🔌 Purchase not transferable across devices
- ⚠️ Incorrect port data (e.g., Newcastle)
- 🤔 Offsets are confusing and not well explained

**Reported bugs**

- App stopped working after 2025/2026 update
- App crashes when selecting River Tyne ports
- App crashes immediately on opening with 2024 data
- Tyne ports cause app to disappear and require reinstallation
- App crashes on iPad when clicking 'Streams'

**Requested features**

- Version covering full French Brittany & Atlantic coasts using SHOM charts
- Indication of Standard vs. Secondary port in tide time display
- Include Fleetwood or more detailed Morecambe Bay data
- Map showing port locations
- Apple Watch complication


### AirmarCAST™

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/airmarcast/id1492428585)

Configure and calibrate your boat's Bluetooth-enabled multisensors and modules directly from your mobile device. View real-time data on detailed gauges and perform advanced calibrations for speed, temperature, and attitude without extra hardware.

**Highlights:** Bluetooth sensor connection, Real-time data display, Intuitive navigation, Speed, temperature, attitude calibration, On-board GPS speed comparison, Advanced speed calibration wizards

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Absolute Tides free?

Absolute Tides is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is AirmarCAST™ free?

AirmarCAST™ is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do Absolute Tides or AirmarCAST™ have ads?

Neither Absolute Tides nor AirmarCAST™ shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Absolute Tides or AirmarCAST™?

Absolute Tides ships an update every 5 months, and AirmarCAST™ every 3 months. Most recently, Absolute Tides was updated on October 16, 2026 and AirmarCAST™ on October 11, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*