ActiveCaptain® vs Savvy Navvy
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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 descriptionHide 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/
Savvy Navvy
This app provides comprehensive marine navigation, integrating charts, weather, tides, and GPS tracking. It simplifies route planning and offers real-time safety data to ensure confident and enjoyable time on the water for various boating activities.
- Clutter-free nautical charts
- Smart route planning with weather and tide integration
- Real-time GPS tracking
- Departure scheduler
- AIS data for vessel tracking
- Marine weather forecasts
- Tide and current information
- Marina and anchorage finder
Read full descriptionHide full description
Savvy Navvy: Your All-in-One Marine Navigation App Savvy Navvy is the ultimate marine navigation tool that simplifies charts, weather forecasts, tides, GPS tracking, and route planning—right in the palm of your hand. Whether you're out sailing, fishing, or cruising, we take the stress out of navigation, so you can enjoy your time on the water. From smart routing to real-time GPS positioning and marine weather forecasts, savvy navvy helps you make safer, smarter decisions on the go. Navigate confidently, with up-to-date weather, tide information, and AIS data that keeps you clear of other vessels. Why Choose Savvy Navvy? Clutter-Free Charts: No more messy, hard-to-read charts. Our clean, intuitive design helps you map your route with ease, making every journey more enjoyable. Smart Route Planning: Plot your course effortlessly. Savvy Navvy calculates the best route, factoring in weather, tides, and depth. Plus, you get accurate ETAs so you can plan every detail of your trip. Real-Time GPS Tracking: Keep track of your location on the water with built-in GPS, so you always know where you are—and where you're heading. Departure Scheduler: Pick the perfect departure time by considering weather, tides, and daylight. Avoid rough seas and ensure a smoother ride. AIS Data for Safety: Stay safe with real-time AIS (Automatic Identification System) data that shows nearby vessels, helping you avoid collisions. Marine Weather Forecasts: Get ahead of the weather with detailed forecasts, including wind speed, swell, and visibility. Navigate safely, no matter the conditions. Tides and Currents: Access real-time tide and current data for safer passage, integrated directly into your charts. Marina and Anchorage Info: Find marinas and anchorages with ease. Whether you need fuel, supplies, or a safe place to dock, we’ve got you covered. Who’s Savvy Navvy For? Sailors: Plan routes with tools that account for wind, tides, and depth. Powerboaters: Navigate confidently with GPS and AIS tracking, plus estimate fuel needs for any trip. Fishermen: Get precise marine weather forecasts, schedule your trips, and mark your favorite fishing spots. Jetskiers, Kayakers, and Paddleboarders: Enjoy your adventures with reliable charts and GPS tracking. Why Trust Savvy Navvy? With over 2 million downloads and multiple marine innovation awards, Savvy Navvy is trusted by boaters around the world. We use official, regularly updated hydrographic data and live weather from top sources, ensuring you’re always equipped with the most accurate information. We listen to our users, constantly improving the app based on their feedback. Each update reflects real boater needs, making sure your experience on the water gets better with every trip. Why We're Different Unlike other navigation apps, savvy navvy lets you sync routes across up to five devices, making it easy to stay connected. Try our free version and explore all features before upgrading. Download Savvy Navvy today and explore the waters with confidence! Read our terms of service here: https://www.savvy-navvy.com/terms-of-service
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Savvy Navvy at 4.7 against ActiveCaptain®'s 4.0. Savvy Navvy also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 3 months) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.5). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume and ads 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
Both are free to download. ActiveCaptain® sells 18 in-app purchases, starting at $74.99 per year and Savvy Navvy sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $99.00 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Savvy Navvy holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 5.2K and 8.4K respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 59% of ActiveCaptain®'s written reviews are positive against 53% of Savvy Navvy's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
ActiveCaptain® ships an update every 3 months, Savvy Navvy weekly. Both last shipped on October 31, 2026.
| Parameter | ActiveCaptain® | Savvy Navvy |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.0 (5.2K ratings) | 4.7 (8.4K ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 59.0% of reviews — better | 53.2% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 5.2K | 8.4K — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Weekly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | #41 — better | #51 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 18.5 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 197 MB | 156 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Garmin | savvy navvy |
Customer experience
ActiveCaptain®
Savvy Navvy
User reviews
ActiveCaptain®
From 5.2K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Easy to use
- 🚀 Seamless integration with Garmin devices
- 💡 Useful for planning trips and managing waypoints
- 🚀 Convenient for updating software and charts
- 👍 Great app for Garmin users
Room to improve
- 🐛 Frequent crashes and connection issues
- 🔍 Limited chart and mapping functionality compared to competitors
- 🤔 Difficult to transfer data between devices
- 🤔 Confusing and not very intuitive user interface
- 💰 Expensive for the features provided
Savvy Navvy
From 8.4K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Easy to use
- 👍 Helpful for navigation
- 🌊 Accurate charts and data
- 💡 Useful features like weather and tide info
- 👍 Great for planning routes
Room to improve
- 🐛 Buggy and crashes
- 💰 Expensive subscription
- 🗺️ Missing chart data for some areas
- 🤔 Confusing to set up
- 🔋 Drains battery quickly
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
Savvy Navvy
Reported bugs
4 issues- App freezes or becomes unresponsive
- Inaccurate weather and tide information
- Issues with syncing data across devices
- Problems with downloading charts and maps
Requested features
5 requests- Add more chart coverage for different regions
- Improve route planning and navigation features
- Allow offline use without internet connection
- Integrate with other boating apps and devices
- Provide more customization options
In-app purchases
ActiveCaptain®
- 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 moreShow fewer
- 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
- U.S. LakeVü Detail Map$59.99
- US+Great Lakes Detail Map$99.99
- BlueChart g3+LakeVu g3 Built-I$99.99
Show 8 moreShow fewer
- 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
Savvy Navvy
- Premium1 Year trial$99.001 Year
- Premium$99.001 Year
- Premium (US-only charts)3 Days trial$99.001 Year
Show 7 moreShow fewer
- Premium3 Days trial7 variants$99.001 Year
- Premium (US-only charts)3 Days trial2 variants$129.001 Year
- Premium (US-only charts)14 Days trial$129.001 Year
- Elite (with Denmark)3 Days trial$129.001 Year
- Premium Plus (global charts)14 Days trial$129.001 Year
- Premium Plus (global charts)3 Days trial2 variants$169.001 Year
- Premium Plus (global charts)14 Days trial$169.001 Year








