Comparison

US Navy Ratings & Reference vs NAVADMIN Viewer

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

US Navy Ratings & Reference

Learn and test your knowledge of US Navy ratings through an interactive game and a comprehensive reference section. This app helps users quickly identify and understand different Navy occupations and their associated specialty badges.

Highlights
  • Interactive learning game
  • Multiple-choice questions
  • Progressive difficulty levels
  • Reinforcement of correct answers
  • Timing element for bonus points
  • Sortable reference area
  • Information on 56 Navy ratings
Features
Read full description

An Official US Navy mobile application, produced by the Navy PMW 240 Program and NETC. The US Navy Ratings & Reference app provides a fun, easy way to learn Navy ratings. As most service members know, learning how to recognize ratings is an integral part of any Navy career. After more than 200 years of evolution, today’s Navy enlisted rating structure still plays a key role in career development and serves as a basis for training, detailing, and advancement. US Navy ratings are general enlisted occupations that consist of specific skills and abilities. Each rating has its own specialty badge, which is worn on the left sleeve of the uniform by each enlisted person in that particular field. Working uniforms, such as camouflage Battle Dress Uniforms, utilities, coveralls, and Naval Working Uniforms, bear generic rate designators that exclude the rating symbol. Part of the e-Sailor series of mobile apps, the US Navy Ratings & Reference app uses a short game scenario for quick and enhanced learning. The game randomly generates multiple-choice questions and illustrates ratings options associated with Navy occupations, providing points for each correct answer. The game becomes progressively more complex at higher levels. However, if a player answers incorrectly, the app shows them the correct answer in order to reinforce learning. A timing element in the game awards additional points for timely correct answers. By selecting the correct answer before the timer runs out, a user earns bonus points. However, there’s no stress here – a user only plays against the app. The US Navy Ratings & Reference app also includes a sortable reference area to review all 56 Navy ratings. This includes Aviation, Construction, Medical, Administration, and Engineering, among others. The app is a great visual tool for learning Navy ratings and can be revisited frequently by anyone desiring refresher training. The e-Sailor initiative was instituted by the Master Chief Petty Office of the Navy. e-Sailor leverages state-of-the-art mobile technologies to transform training and enhance curriculum delivery methodologies at Recruit Training Command. The e-Sailor series of mobile apps is being developed to support this effort. The goal of e-Sailor is to increase the quality of work and quality of life for the 21st Century Sailor!

About

NAVADMIN Viewer

Access and search official Navy and Marine Corps administrative messages on your mobile device. View messages offline, find referenced publications easily, and utilize features like Spotlight Search and Siri Shortcuts. An experimental tool can even identify military ribbons and medals.

Highlights
  • Searchable message database
  • Offline message viewing
  • Automatic message fetching
  • Highlighted referenced publications
  • Experimental Uniform Detector
  • Customizable font options
Features
Read full description

Read and search within Navy and Marine Corps messages anywhere. NAVADMIN, ALNAV, MARADMIN, and ALMAR messages available and searchable on the go. NAVADMIN Viewer automatically fetches the latest messages as they are released. Messages are stored locally and available for offline viewing. Referenced publications within a message are automatically highlighted for quick viewing and search. Message statistics reflect recent stars and views. Choose from a variety of fonts to view messages in Settings. Experimental Uniform Detector detects common military ribbons and medals using the camera. Additional features: - Handoff - Spotlight Search - Siri Shortcuts - Home Screen Quick Actions NAVADMINs and ALNAVs are Navy administrative messages. MARADMINs and ALMARs are Marine Corps administrative messages. This app comes with No Warranty of Accuracy. All data is provided as is and the user is responsible for verifying any data with offical sources. Use of this app is subject to the Terms of Use (EULA) at https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/.

Screenshots

US Navy Ratings & Reference4 screens
NAVADMIN Viewer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: US Navy Ratings & Reference at 100% against NAVADMIN Viewer's 30%. US Navy Ratings & Reference also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and iOS requirement (8.0 vs 13.0). NAVADMIN Viewer's advantage is rating (4.6 vs 3.7) and update cadence (every 2 days vs every 8 months). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. NAVADMIN Viewer sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $14.99 per year. US Navy Ratings & Reference asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

NAVADMIN Viewer holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: NAVADMIN Viewer has 1.1K ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 100% of US Navy Ratings & Reference's written reviews are positive against 30% of NAVADMIN Viewer's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

US Navy Ratings & Reference ships an update every 8 months, NAVADMIN Viewer every 2 days. Both last shipped on October 7, 2026.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
US Navy Ratings & Reference versus NAVADMIN Viewer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterUS Navy Ratings & ReferenceNAVADMIN Viewer
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.7 (3 ratings)4.6 (1.1K ratings) — better
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better29.5% of reviews
Number of ratings31.1K — better
Update frequencyEvery 8 monthsEvery 2 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS8.0 — better13.0
Further details — not scored
Size32 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperProgram Executive Office for Enterprise Information Systems, Sea Warrior ProgramAnson Liu

Customer experience

US Navy Ratings & Reference

All ratings3 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

NAVADMIN Viewer

All ratings1,082 ratings
Positive90.9%
Neutral3.5%
Negative5.5%
Written reviews44 reviews
Positive29.5%
Neutral4.5%
Negative65.9%

Bugs and requests

US Navy Ratings & Reference

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

NAVADMIN Viewer

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • App crashing or shutting down
  • Compatibility issues with device updates

Requested features

3 requests
  • Add widgets for quick access
  • Include more Navy resources (ALNAV, FORCM, etc.)
  • Improve notification system

In-app purchases

None

US Navy Ratings & Reference

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

NAVADMIN Viewer

Subscriptions1
  • Extended Access1 Year trial$14.991 Year

Questions

Is US Navy Ratings & Reference free?
US Navy Ratings & Reference is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is NAVADMIN Viewer free?
NAVADMIN Viewer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, US Navy Ratings & Reference or NAVADMIN Viewer?
NAVADMIN Viewer is rated higher. US Navy Ratings & Reference averages 3.7 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while NAVADMIN Viewer averages 4.6 from 1.1K ratings.
Do US Navy Ratings & Reference or NAVADMIN Viewer have ads?
Neither US Navy Ratings & Reference nor NAVADMIN Viewer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, US Navy Ratings & Reference or NAVADMIN Viewer?
US Navy Ratings & Reference ships an update every 8 months, and NAVADMIN Viewer every 2 days. Most recently, US Navy Ratings & Reference was updated on October 7, 2026 and NAVADMIN Viewer on October 7, 2026.

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