Comparison

ActiveCaptain® vs RampTracker

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

RampTracker

Discover and check live conditions for over 36,000 public boat ramps across the US and Canada. Get GPS coordinates, directions, and facility details for every listing. Plan your trips with integrated tide, wind, and weather forecasts.

Highlights
  • Extensive boat ramp directory (36,000+ US/Canada)
  • GPS coordinates and directions
  • Facility details
  • Tides, wind, and weather forecasts
  • Live community reports
  • Explore new launch locations
Features
Read full description

RampTracker: The Ultimate Boat Ramp Directory & Live Tracker Why guess what awaits you at the water's edge? RampTracker is the most comprehensive boat ramp directory in the palm of your hand, now covering **over 36,000 public boat ramps across the US and Canada**. Whether you're looking for a new place to launch or checking your local favorite, RampTracker provides instant access to thousands of ramps even if no one has reported on them yet. It's the essential toolkit for every boater, angler, and jet-skier. **Key Features:** * Explore New Waters: Over 36,000 ramps across all 50 US states and Canada**—find your next favorite spot instantly. * Complete Ramp Info: Every listing includes GPS coordinates, directions, and details about the facility. * Travel-Ready: Planning a fishing trip across state lines or the border? Find every public ramp at your destination effortlessly. * Tides, Wind & Weather: Forecast data built into every ramp so you can plan your launch with confidence. * Powered by Boaters: Submit reports and see real-time updates from the community as it grows. From Florida to Alaska, and British Columbia to Newfoundland, you're covered. Stop driving blindly and start knowing before you tow. RampTracker is a passion project and is completely free for the boating community! — Alejandro Palau

Screenshots

ActiveCaptain®4 screens
RampTracker4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: RampTracker at 100% against ActiveCaptain®'s 56%. RampTracker also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.0) and in-app purchases (none vs 18). ActiveCaptain®'s advantage is ratings volume (5.2K vs 2) and chart position (#28 vs unranked). On price, 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

Both are free to download. ActiveCaptain® sells 18 in-app purchases, starting at $74.99 per year. RampTracker asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

RampTracker holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ActiveCaptain® has 5.2K ratings behind it against 2, 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 RampTracker's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

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

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
ActiveCaptain® versus RampTracker: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterActiveCaptain®RampTracker
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (5.2K ratings)5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews56.2% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings5.2K — better2
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 3 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
Best chart rank#28 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS18.515.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size196 MB49 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGarminALEJANDRO PALAU GONZALEZ

Customer experience

ActiveCaptain®

All ratings5,159 ratings
Positive72.9%
Neutral3.7%
Negative23.4%
Written reviews909 reviews
Positive56.2%
Neutral4.7%
Negative39.1%

RampTracker

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 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

RampTracker

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

RampTracker

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is ActiveCaptain® free?
ActiveCaptain® is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is RampTracker free?
RampTracker is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, ActiveCaptain® or RampTracker?
RampTracker is rated higher. ActiveCaptain® averages 4.0 out of 5 from 5.2K ratings, while RampTracker averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.
Do ActiveCaptain® or RampTracker have ads?
Neither ActiveCaptain® nor RampTracker shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ActiveCaptain® or RampTracker?
ActiveCaptain® ships an update every 3 months, and RampTracker every 3 days. Most recently, ActiveCaptain® was updated on October 6, 2026 and RampTracker on September 30, 2026.

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