Comparison

vmsTRACK vs CH16

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side β€” with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

vmsTRACK

Features
Read full description

With this app you are able to read-out the vmsTRACK-PRO transmitter. You can check the battery status and static data. vmsTRACK-PRO is an AIS transmitter used for small vessel tracking (e.g. fishing vessels). The GPS track is transmitted and additionally stored in its internal flash memory. With this app you can read-out this track via Bluetooth and the track is shown on the map view of your iPhone or iPad.

About

CH16

This maritime safety app provides instant access to global rescue coordination centers and features tools for generating distress messages and planning voyages. It offers real-time location tracking for man overboard situations and works offline, ensuring safety at sea.

Highlights
  • Global maritime rescue center directory
  • Interactive SRR zone map
  • GMDSS-compliant distress message generator
  • Man Overboard (MOB) mode with GPS tracking
  • Passage Plan for voyage declaration
  • Offline functionality
  • Multilingual support
Features
Read full description

CH16 by Global SAR Hub is the essential maritime safety app for every seafarer. Instantly access contact details for over 350 maritime rescue coordination centers (MRCC, MRSC, JRCC, JRSC) worldwide. View Search and Rescue Regions (SRR) on an interactive map and identify the center responsible for your current position in real time. Generate IMO/GMDSS-compliant MAYDAY and PAN PAN distress messages with audio playback. Activate Man Overboard (MOB) mode to record a GPS position and guide you back to the drop point. NEW - Passage Plan: declare your route and automatically notify all rescue centers along your way, in their own language. An essential step for your safety at sea. Get notifications when you cross into a new SRR zone. Save your vessel and captain information to automatically include them in your messages and passage plans. Available in 6 languages. Works offline. Key features: β€’ Global directory of 350+ maritime rescue centers β€’ Interactive SRR zone map with automatic detection β€’ GMDSS-compliant MAYDAY / PAN PAN message generator β€’ Audio playback of distress messages β€’ Man Overboard mode with GPS tracking and DMD format β€’ Real-time MOB map view β€’ Passage Plan: multilingual voyage declaration to RCCs β€’ Persistent vessel and captain profiles β€’ Voice recording of vessel name β€’ SRR zone change notifications β€’ Multilingual country search β€’ 6 languages: EN, FR, ES, PT, IT, DE β€’ Full offline mode Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.globalsarhub.com/terms-of-use.html Privacy Policy: https://www.globalsarhub.com/privacy-policy.html

Screenshots

vmsTRACK4 screens
CH163 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: vmsTRACK at none against CH16's 2. vmsTRACK also leads on ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 13.0). CH16's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 41 months). On price and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price Β· Rating Β· Positive reviews Β· Number of ratings Β· Update frequency Β· Ads Β· In-app purchases Β· Monetization Β· Best chart rank Β· Devices Β· Requires iOS

CostPrice Β· In-app purchases Β· Ads Β· Monetization

Both are free to download. CH16 sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. vmsTRACK asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

vmsTRACK ships an update every 41 months, CH16 every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences Β· 4 level
vmsTRACK versus CH16: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParametervmsTRACKCH16
PriceFreeFree
Positive reviewsβ€”100.0% of reviews
Update frequencyEvery 41 monthsEvery 2 months β€” better
AdsNo β€” betterYes
In-app purchasesNo β€” betterYes
Monetizationβ€”Free with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS11.0 β€” better13.0
Further details β€” not scored
Size21 MB80 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperWeatherdock AGGlobal SAR Hub

In-app purchases

None

vmsTRACK

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

CH16

Subscriptions1
  • CH16 Pro7 Days trial$0.991 Month
One-time1
  • CH16 Pro Lifetime$4.99

Questions

Is vmsTRACK free?
vmsTRACK is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is CH16 free?
CH16 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do vmsTRACK or CH16 have ads?
CH16 shows ads; vmsTRACK does not.
Which is updated more often, vmsTRACK or CH16?
vmsTRACK ships an update every 41 months, and CH16 every 2 months. Most recently, vmsTRACK was updated on November 2, 2026 and CH16 on November 5, 2026.

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