Comparison

ActiveCaptain® vs NAVTEXpro

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

Head to head
About

ActiveCaptain®

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Read full description

The free ActiveCaptain app creates a powerful connection between your compatible mobile device and Garmin chartplotter, charts, maps and the boating community. Whether you use your Garmin products for cruising, fishing, sailing or diving, this all-in-one app will help you enjoy your time on the water. Just pair the app with your compatible chartplotter to wirelessly transfer and access charts and maps, software updates, routes, waypoints and helpful feedback from the ActiveCaptain Community. And, with the purchase of the OnDeck™ hub(1), you can track and monitor your boat from virtually anywhere. Please note that this app is intended for Garmin chartplotter owners and is not recommended for use as a stand-alone navigational app. FEATURES AVAILABLE: - ONECHART™: > New Garmin Navionics+™ and premium Garmin Navionics Vision+™ cartography, featuring a Navionics® style appearance, advanced Auto Guidance+™ technology(2) and a one-year subscription to daily updates, is available now for North America and Europe, and coming soon to the rest of the world. Purchase our newest-generation charts or legacy BlueChart® g3 charts from your mobile device, and upload them to registered Garmin chartplotters on your vessel. You will get exceptional coverage, clarity and detail with charts that feature integrated Garmin and Navionics data and much more. Plus, the NOAA raster cartography(3) and premium features can be downloaded for free through the ActiveCaptain app. Visit Garmin.com/marinemaps. - PLAN A TRIP: Plan your trip, or e-scout a new fishing spot before you’re on the water. Then, transfer your data to your chartplotter where you can view your routes and waypoints. - USER DATA SYNC: Automatically back up and sync your data between your chartplotter and the ActiveCaptain app. - ACTIVECAPTAIN COMMUNITY: Join a community of boaters to get up-to-date feedback on marinas, boat ramps and other points of interest (POI). Check ratings, read reviews, and view pictures of POIs to make informed decisions on the water. Contribute your own POI, reviews and pictures from your compatible mobile device. - CONTROL YOUR CHARTPLOTTER: Using the built-in Helm™ feature, the ActiveCaptain app lets you view and control your compatible(4) chartplotter from your smartphone or tablet, even when someone else is at the helm(5). - EASY SOFTWARE UPDATES: Receive notifications about software updates from the app, and update your chartplotter wirelessly. - ONDECK HUB: Use the ActiveCaptain app to track, monitor and control any number of switches with the OnDeck system(1) from nearly anywhere. Door open? Bilge running? Peace of mind comes in the form of text alerts and updates. - GARMIN QUICKDRAWTM COMMUNITY: Download the latest 1’ HD contour maps shared by your fellow boaters, and sync with your chartplotter. You can also upload your own Quickdraw Contours map data. - SMART NOTIFICATIONS: Connect the app to your chartplotter, and turn on smart notifications(4) to see calls, text messages and more on the chartplotter display while your phone is somewhere safe and dry. FOOTNOTES 1)OnDeck hub sold separately and requires an active subscription plan 2)Auto Guidance+ is for planning purposes only and does not replace safe navigation operations 3)NOAA raster cartography cannot be viewed on echoMAP™ CHIRP and ECHOMAP™ Plus combos but can be viewed on mobile devices via the ActiveCaptain mobile app 4)Helm feature is not compatible with ECHOMAP series chartplotters 5)Check device compatibility on the ActiveCaptain app web page; visit https://www.garmin.com/c/marine/marine-apps/ End User License Agreement: https://www.garmin.com/en-US/legal/marine-mobile-eula/

About

NAVTEXpro

Access critical navigation warnings and safety-related messages for mariners. This app provides global coverage of NAVTEX transmissions and can also fetch navigation warnings from regions not using NAVTEX. It offers an optional APRS weather subscription as a backup system.

Highlights
  • Global NAVTEX message reception
  • Navigation warnings for non-NAVTEX regions
  • Transmission schedule and frequency details
  • APRS weather subscription
  • Notices to Mariners subscription
Features
Read full description

Navtex should be a requirement to any mariner, hobbyist or professional, regardless the type and size of vessel as it offers important Navigation Warnings that are safety-related while at sea. Nearly 200 NAVTEX Radio Stations across the world form a global coverage network transmitting messages either in 490kHz, 518kHz, 4209.5kHz, 424kHz and 486kHz. At sea, safety is everything so our Navtex App will fetch the latest NAVTEX messages issued by the several official entities and present them to you whenever you want. You don't need to connect your iPhone/iPad to any HF Radio. Only an internet connection is required. Synchronize and within seconds you have the worldwide updated Navtex information in your pocket. You may select any of the available NAVTEX stations in the App and check their transmission schedule, frequencies, local data and latest important transmitted messages. In Brazil, Australia and New Zeeland Navigation Warnings are not broadcasted via NAVTEX. However, this App will still fetch the latest Navigation Warnings from those regions and show them to you. Additionally, you can also subscribe to APRS weather that is broadcasted by ham radio enthusiasts all over the world. It is a good backup system to gather weather information in case of failure of the vessels's primary systems. Disclaimer: This app relies on public domain information available on the internet from the NAVAREAs official co-ordinators. With such, the presented Navigational Warnings will not relieve Masters and Captains of the requirement to receive Navigational Warnings via IMO/IHO approved broadcast systems. Most common Navtex Receivers available on-board will not operate on 4209.5kHz, 424kHz and 486kHz. In those cases the Navtex App will be even more valuable. Our safety at sea is priceless! Available Subscriptions: - Title: Enable Navtex Messages (Allows to receive new Navtex messages and safety radio bulletins from different stations throughout the subscription period) - Length and price of available subscriptions: 1 year ($9.99) - Title: Enable APRS Weather (Allows to receive new Weather Information Reports from different radio ham stations and bulletins sent from meteorological hot air balloons throughout the subscription period) - Length and price of available subscriptions: 1 year ($9.99) - Title: Enable Notices to Mariners (Allows to receive Notices to Mariners issued by the official entities throughout the subscription period) - Length of subscriptions: 1 year - Price of subscriptions: APRS Weather: $4.99 Navtex: $8.99 Notices to Mariners: $8.99 - Price of subscriptions: Click on the Menu, then select "My Subscriptions" for other currencies - Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase - Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period - Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal - Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase - No cancellation of the current subscription is allowed during active subscription period - For Privacy Policy and Terms of Use of go to: http://duartebraga.com/navtex/privacy.html - Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that service.

Screenshots

ActiveCaptain®4 screens
NAVTEXpro4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: ActiveCaptain® at 56% against NAVTEXpro's 4%. ActiveCaptain® also leads on rating (4.0 vs 1.7) and monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription). NAVTEXpro's advantage is iOS requirement (8.0 vs 18.5). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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. ActiveCaptain® sells 18 in-app purchases, starting at $74.99 per year and NAVTEXpro sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.49 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

ActiveCaptain® holds the better App Store score, 4.0 against 1.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ActiveCaptain® has 5.2K ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 56% of ActiveCaptain®'s written reviews are positive against 4% of NAVTEXpro's.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
ActiveCaptain® versus NAVTEXpro: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterActiveCaptain®NAVTEXpro
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (5.2K ratings) — better1.7 (6 ratings)
Positive reviews56.2% of reviews — better3.8% of reviews
Number of ratings5.2K — better6
Update frequencyEvery 3 months—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterSubscription
Best chart rank#26 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS18.58.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size196 MB49 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGarminP8G Software

Customer experience

ActiveCaptain®

All ratings5,159 ratings
Positive72.9%
Neutral3.7%
Negative23.4%
Written reviews909 reviews
Positive56.2%
Neutral4.7%
Negative39.1%

NAVTEXpro

All ratings6 ratings
Positive16.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative83.3%
Written reviews26 reviews
Positive3.8%
Neutral0.0%
Negative96.2%

Bugs and requests

ActiveCaptain®

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Charts and maps not loading properly
  • Waypoints and routes not syncing correctly
  • Constant prompts to purchase additional charts
  • Compatibility issues with older Garmin devices

Requested features

5 requests
  • Ability to duplicate and edit existing routes
  • Sync user data across multiple devices
  • Improved chart detail and coverage
  • Animated tides and currents
  • Better integration with other navigation apps

NAVTEXpro

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

18 purchases

ActiveCaptain®

Subscriptions7
  • NSUS007R-U.S. East$74.991 Year
  • NSUS006R-U.S. South$74.991 Year
  • g4 U.S. Lakes & Rivers Built-i$99.991 Year
Show 4 more
  • NSUS001L-U.S. & Canada$99.991 Year
  • g4 Vision U.S. South$129.991 Year
  • g4 Vision U.S. East$129.991 Year
  • GN+ US & Coast Canada Built-In$149.991 Year
One-time11
  • U.S. LakeVü Detail Map$59.99
  • US+Great Lakes Detail Map$99.99
  • BlueChart g3+LakeVu g3 Built-I$99.99
Show 8 more
  • LUS100F - Download$149.99
  • GN+ U.S. South$149.99
  • GN+ U.S. East$149.99
  • VUS010R - Download$174.99
  • GN+ U.S. & Canada$199.99
  • HXUS604X - Download$219.99
  • GNV+ U.S. East$249.99
  • GNV+ U.S. South$249.99
3 purchases

NAVTEXpro

Subscriptions3
  • APRS Weather Yearly Subscription$4.491 Year
  • Navtex Yearly Subscription$8.991 Year
  • Notices to Mariners Yearly Subscription$8.991 Year

Questions

Is ActiveCaptain® free?
ActiveCaptain® is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is NAVTEXpro free?
NAVTEXpro is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, ActiveCaptain® or NAVTEXpro?
ActiveCaptain® is rated higher. ActiveCaptain® averages 4.0 out of 5 from 5.2K ratings, while NAVTEXpro averages 1.7 from 6 ratings.
Do ActiveCaptain® or NAVTEXpro have ads?
Neither ActiveCaptain® nor NAVTEXpro shows ads.

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