Comparison

ActiveCaptain® vs Anchor Plus

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

Anchor Plus

This app provides advanced anchor alarm functionality with features like Siri integration, Home Screen widgets, and Apple Watch control. It also includes weather forecasts, man overboard alerts, and a map view with drift history for enhanced safety and convenience while boating.

Highlights
  • Siri Shortcuts and voice commands
  • iOS14 Home Screen widgets
  • Apple Watch remote control
  • Email status updates and alarm alerts
  • Man Overboard (MOB) alerts
  • Map view with drift history
  • Current and 7-day weather forecast
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

More than just an anchor alarm. Enjoy these great features: - Use Siri Shortcuts and voice commands to set the anchor alarm - Set the alarm during anchoring (current position) or afterwards (bearing & distance) or coordinates - Support for iOS14 Home Screen widgets - Day and night theme, metric or imperial, various alarms - Apple Watch remote control, set the anchor from your watch - Receive email status updates and alarm alerts on another device - Scan the QR code and monitor the anchor status from another device - Man Overboard provides bearing to steer and distance back to MOB point - Map view with drift history - Current and 7 day weather forecast with wind alerts - Tropical weather from the top severe weather providers around the globe - Compass and anchor retrieval tool with bearing and distance to anchor - Support for MFi external bluetooth GPS on WiFi only devices - Use the anchor assistant to determine the correct scope and provide a visual representation of where your vessel should be after the anchor is set - Switch language from with the app - Airdrop data to another device - Send text alerts to another device via WhatsApp or Signal

Screenshots

ActiveCaptain®4 screens
Anchor Plus4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: ActiveCaptain® at Free against Anchor Plus's $1.99. ActiveCaptain® also leads on ratings volume (5.2K vs 7) and chart position (#29 vs #179). Anchor Plus's advantage is review sentiment (100% vs 56%) and rating (4.7 vs 4.0). On ads, device support and iOS requirement 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

ActiveCaptain® is free to download; Anchor Plus costs $1.99 up front. ActiveCaptain® sells 18 in-app purchases, starting at $74.99 per year. Anchor Plus asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Anchor Plus holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ActiveCaptain® has 5.2K ratings behind it against 7, 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 100% of Anchor Plus's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ActiveCaptain® ships an update every 3 months, Anchor Plus monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 29, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
ActiveCaptain® versus Anchor Plus: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterActiveCaptain®Anchor Plus
PriceFree — better$1.99
Rating4.0 (5.2K ratings)4.7 (7 ratings) — better
Positive reviews56.4% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings5.2K — better7
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
Best chart rank#29 — better#179
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS18.517.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size196 MB24 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGarminRoy Cadman

Customer experience

ActiveCaptain®

All ratings5,159 ratings
Positive72.9%
Neutral3.7%
Negative23.4%
Written reviews893 reviews
Positive56.4%
Neutral4.7%
Negative38.9%

Anchor Plus

All ratings7 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
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

Anchor Plus

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

Anchor Plus

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is ActiveCaptain® free?
ActiveCaptain® is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Anchor Plus free?
Anchor Plus costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, ActiveCaptain® or Anchor Plus?
Anchor Plus is rated higher. ActiveCaptain® averages 4.0 out of 5 from 5.2K ratings, while Anchor Plus averages 4.7 from 7 ratings.
Do ActiveCaptain® or Anchor Plus have ads?
Neither ActiveCaptain® nor Anchor Plus shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ActiveCaptain® or Anchor Plus?
ActiveCaptain® ships an update every 3 months, and Anchor Plus monthly. Most recently, ActiveCaptain® was updated on September 29, 2026 and Anchor Plus on September 20, 2026.
Which is more popular, ActiveCaptain® or Anchor Plus?
ActiveCaptain® currently peaks at #29 in the App Store charts, and Anchor Plus at #179. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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