Comparison

ActiveCaptain® vs Ocean Tools

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

Ocean Tools

Read full description

The electronic logbook for the skipper. The logbook is fully customisable and allows you to easily log events. With a fantastic light mode for daytime logging and the ingenious dark mode for night-time logging, you have your log under control at all times. The logbook is based on the two-phase model familiar from the paper form. First, the events are logged as they occur (on a notepad). At the end of the day, the collected log entries are then transferred to the logbook. This procedure has great advantages when keeping the logbook, especially on long voyages when a trip lasts several days. Almost everything about Ocean-Tools is unlimited, the number of logbooks, stages, log entries, crew, destinations and sails, to name just a few examples. This provides the best conditions for going on a long voyage. Ocean-Tools is also suitable for charter skippers who often change boats and crews. Try it out, it is currently the best logbook app for skippers on the market. We are working on making Ocean-Tools even better.

Screenshots

ActiveCaptain®4 screens
Ocean Tools4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: ActiveCaptain® at Free against Ocean Tools's $39.99. ActiveCaptain® also leads on chart position (#29 vs unranked) and iOS requirement (18.5 vs 26.0). Ocean Tools's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 18) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 3 months). On 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

ActiveCaptain® is free to download; Ocean Tools costs $39.99 up front. ActiveCaptain® sells 18 in-app purchases, starting at $74.99 per year. Ocean Tools asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ActiveCaptain® ships an update every 3 months, Ocean Tools every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 2, 2026 and August 26, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
ActiveCaptain® versus Ocean Tools: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterActiveCaptain®Ocean Tools
PriceFree — better$39.99
Rating4.0 (5.2K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews56.2% of reviews—
Number of ratings5.2K — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
Best chart rank#29 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.5 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size196 MB72 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGarminErwin Staedler

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

Ocean Tools

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

Ocean Tools

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is ActiveCaptain® free?
ActiveCaptain® is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Ocean Tools free?
Ocean Tools costs $39.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do ActiveCaptain® or Ocean Tools have ads?
Neither ActiveCaptain® nor Ocean Tools shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ActiveCaptain® or Ocean Tools?
ActiveCaptain® ships an update every 3 months, and Ocean Tools every 2 weeks. Most recently, ActiveCaptain® was updated on October 2, 2026 and Ocean Tools on August 26, 2026.

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