# ActiveCaptain® vs One

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.

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.

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.

ActiveCaptain® ships an update every 3 months, One every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 30, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | ActiveCaptain® | One |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.0 (5.2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/activecaptain/id1116089313/reviews)** | [2.8 (176 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/one-boat-network/id1527821908/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **5.2K** | 176 |
| Positive reviews | **56.4% of reviews** | 18.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 6 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#33** | #43 |
| Size | 196 MB | 121 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.5 | **16.6** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Garmin](https://appshunter.io/developer/411046952) | [Johnson Outdoors Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/775931463) |

## What reviewers say

### ActiveCaptain®

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/activecaptain/id1116089313)

**Currently charting:** #33 Top Grossing · Navigation, #159 Top Free · Navigation (US App Store)

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

**In-app purchases (18)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| NSUS007R-U.S. East | $74.99 | per year |
| NSUS006R-U.S. South | $74.99 | per year |
| g4 U.S. Lakes & Rivers Built-i | $99.99 | per year |
| NSUS001L-U.S. & Canada | $99.99 | per year |
| g4 Vision U.S. South | $129.99 | per year |
| g4 Vision U.S. East | $129.99 | per year |
| GN+ US & Coast Canada Built-In | $149.99 | per year |
| U.S. LakeVü Detail Map | $59.99 | one-time |
| US+Great Lakes Detail Map | $99.99 | one-time |
| BlueChart g3+LakeVu g3 Built-I | $99.99 | one-time |
| LUS100F - Download | $149.99 | one-time |
| GN+ U.S. South | $149.99 | one-time |
| GN+ U.S. East | $149.99 | one-time |
| VUS010R - Download | $174.99 | one-time |
| GN+ U.S. & Canada | $199.99 | one-time |
| HXUS604X - Download | $219.99 | one-time |
| GNV+ U.S. East | $249.99 | one-time |
| GNV+ U.S. South | $249.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 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

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 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

**Reported bugs**

- 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**

- 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

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/one-boat-network/id1527821908)

**Currently charting:** #43 Top Grossing · Navigation (US App Store)

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:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Fishing Maps of USA and Canada | $24.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked 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 October 1, 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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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*