Comparison

ActiveCaptain® vs PezCA

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

PezCA

This app provides near real-time oceanographic data for Central America, including sea surface temperature, currents, and tides. It also offers fishing information, local regulations, and weather event notifications, accessible even offline.

Highlights
  • Near real-time satellite data maps
  • Offline data access
  • Tide and moon phase forecasts
  • Fish species information
  • Local fishing regulations
  • Weather event notifications
Features
Read full description

Developed by the Federación Costarricense de Pesca (FECOP) in Costa Rica in collaboration with Sancochero Labs, pezCA is a near-real-time satellite and model data distribution platform for the Central America region designed to allow monitoring of the ocean confitions while promoting good fishing practices. PezCA allows free access to information, even while offline, offering updated maps of sea surface temperature, chlorophyll concentration, currents speed and direction, altimetry, bathymetry, and the depth of the thermocline. In addition, tide forecast, moon phases, and fishing information are available. A great tool for commercial and recreational fishermen, the tourism industry, and communities in general, with pezCA you can: Access near real time maps of satellite data for the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans along Central America (0-19°N, 76.5-96°W) and get data values for your points of interest. View the bathymetry and get bottom depth readings. Overlay high-resolution satellite sea surface temperature and surface chlorophyll concentrations and get data for your points of interest, even while offline. View maps with the latest speed and direction of the ocean currents, the depth of the thermocline, and sea level anomalies, and get values for your area. Access information on tides and moon phases. Review facts on the most common fish species in the region, including sizes, reproductive periods, and fishing information. Review local laws and regulations. Purchase your Costa Rica fishing license online! Stay up to date on everything that’s happening with real-time notifications of weather events, red tides, fishing bans, tournaments, etc. If you have questions or need additional information, please visit www.fecop.org

Screenshots

ActiveCaptain®4 screens
PezCA4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: PezCA at 5.0 against ActiveCaptain®'s 4.0. PezCA also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 18) and iOS requirement (16.6 vs 18.5). ActiveCaptain®'s advantage is ratings volume (5.2K vs 3) and chart position (#26 vs unranked). On price, update cadence, 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. ActiveCaptain® sells 18 in-app purchases, starting at $74.99 per year. PezCA asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

PezCA holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ActiveCaptain® has 5.2K ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ActiveCaptain® ships an update every 3 months, PezCA every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
ActiveCaptain® versus PezCA: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterActiveCaptain®PezCA
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (5.2K ratings)5.0 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews56.2% of reviews—
Number of ratings5.2K — better3
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 6 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
Best chart rank#26 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.516.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size196 MB34 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGarminMarina Marrari

Customer experience

ActiveCaptain®

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

PezCA

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

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

PezCA

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
None

PezCA

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is ActiveCaptain® free?
ActiveCaptain® is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is PezCA free?
PezCA is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, ActiveCaptain® or PezCA?
PezCA is rated higher. ActiveCaptain® averages 4.0 out of 5 from 5.2K ratings, while PezCA averages 5.0 from 3 ratings.
Do ActiveCaptain® or PezCA have ads?
Neither ActiveCaptain® nor PezCA shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ActiveCaptain® or PezCA?
ActiveCaptain® ships an update every 3 months, and PezCA every 6 weeks. Most recently, ActiveCaptain® was updated on October 13, 2026 and PezCA on September 24, 2026.

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