Comparison

ActiveCaptain® vs One

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

One

Integrate your boat's electronics into a single control center. Manage navigation, trolling motors, and shallow water anchors from your smartphone. Access detailed maps and update device software seamlessly.

Highlights
  • Integrated boat electronics dashboard
  • Digital remote control for trolling motors and anchors
  • Waypoint management and transfer
  • Customizable lake and coastal maps
  • Software updates for boat devices
  • Access to product manuals and tutorials
Features
Read full description

MAKE YOUR SMARTPHONE THE BRAINS OF YOUR BOAT The One-Boat Network® App brings your Humminbird® and Minn Kota® devices together into one dashboard to give you unprecedented command of your fishing boat. Navigate with Humminbird LakeMaster lake maps and coastal maps and then dial in with the app’s digital remotes for new Minn Kota or Minn Kota QUEST trolling motors and Talon or Raptor shallow water anchors. WAYPOINT MANAGEMENT Upping your fishing game is easier than ever. Effortlessly manage, customize, and transfer waypoints to plan your attack before heading out on the water. MAPS TO THE MAX Plan your attack. The included free LakeMaster VX Basemap lets you customize your view and set waypoints to chart your course. UNLOCK ADVANCED MAPS (SUBSCRIPTION FEATURE) Get the lay of virtually any lake or coastline: enjoy 13,000+ highly detailed LakeMaster freshwater lake maps for North America and CoastMaster saltwater maps for the East, West and Gulf Coasts. Includes shaded relief maps and aerial photos. HUMMINBIRD FISH FINDER CONTENT CAPTURING & SHARING TOOL Enables fast and simple sharing of everything your Humminbird imaging reveals under the water. Easily save and transfer screenshots from your XPLORE™, APEX™ or SOLIX® G3 fish finder to your phone via the One Boat Network app. Save and transfer screen video recording from your Humminbird XPLORE fish finder. PUT YOUR BOAT IN THE PERFECT POSITION The One-Boat Network App’s digital remotes allow you to tap into your trolling motor’s navigation modes and control your shallow water anchor from anywhere on your boat. Get instant access to either while you’re navigating in the app’s map view. MAKE YOUR MOTOR MOVE Take your new Minn Kota or Minn Kota QUEST motor for a ride, right from the touchscreen. Control your speed, steering and enhanced GPS navigation modes like Spot-Lock®, Advanced AutoPilot® and the all-new Drift Mode. DROP ANCHOR AT THE DROP OF A HAT Stop, drop and reel. Deploy, retract and adjust your Raptor or Talon shallow water anchor in a heartbeat. PEAK PERFORMANCE AT THE PUSH OF A BUTTON Stay at the top of your game with seamless updates for all your One-Boat Network devices. Use the app to download the latest software for Humminbird fish finders, new Minn Kota or Minn Kota QUEST trolling motors and your Raptor or Talon shallow water anchors. SELF-HELP, CENTRALIZED Dive deep into our knowledge base in just a few taps. Access product manuals, tutorial videos and FAQs through the Self-Help section. CALL FOR REINFORCEMENTS Raising the white flag? Request a callback from Minn Kota or Humminbird product experts in a couple of clicks.

Screenshots

ActiveCaptain®4 screens
One4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: ActiveCaptain® at 4.0 against One's 2.8. ActiveCaptain® also leads on review sentiment (56% vs 18%) and ratings volume (5.2K vs 176). One's advantage is iOS requirement (16.6 vs 18.5). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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 One sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $24.99 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 2.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ActiveCaptain® has 5.2K ratings behind it against 176, 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 18% of One's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ActiveCaptain® ships an update every 3 months, One every 6 weeks. Both last shipped on September 30, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
ActiveCaptain® versus One: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterActiveCaptain®One
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (5.2K ratings) — better2.8 (176 ratings)
Positive reviews56.4% of reviews — better18.1% of reviews
Number of ratings5.2K — better176
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 6 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#33 — better#43
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.516.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size196 MB121 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGarminJohnson Outdoors Inc.

Customer experience

ActiveCaptain®

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

One

All ratings176 ratings
Positive38.1%
Neutral6.3%
Negative55.7%
Written reviews127 reviews
Positive18.1%
Neutral7.9%
Negative74.0%

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

One

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
1 purchases

One

Subscriptions1
  • Fishing Maps of USA and Canada1 Month trial$24.991 Year

Questions

Is ActiveCaptain® free?
ActiveCaptain® is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is One free?
One is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, ActiveCaptain® or One?
ActiveCaptain® is rated higher. ActiveCaptain® averages 4.0 out of 5 from 5.2K ratings, while One averages 2.8 from 176 ratings.
Do ActiveCaptain® or One have ads?
Neither ActiveCaptain® nor One shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ActiveCaptain® or One?
ActiveCaptain® ships an update every 3 months, and One every 6 weeks. Most recently, ActiveCaptain® was updated on September 30, 2026 and One on September 30, 2026.
Which is more popular, ActiveCaptain® or One?
ActiveCaptain® currently peaks at #33 in the App Store charts, and One at #43. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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