Comparison

CycleNation vs First Mate

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

Head to head
About

CycleNation

Track your physical activity and fundraising progress on the go. Update your fundraising page and communicate with supporters directly from your mobile device. This tool is designed for registered participants of the CycleNation event.

Highlights
  • Track physical activity
  • Monitor fundraising progress
  • Update fundraising webpage
  • Send texts and emails
  • View activity progress
Features
Read full description

Do your fundraising and track your physical activity on the go with the CycleNation application. You can now track your physical activity and see your progress on the CycleNation application. Update your fundraising webpage and send texts & emails all from the palm of your hand. CycleNation application is a great tool to track your fundraising progress. Please note: The CycleNation Mobile application is only available to current registrants of the CycleNation event. If you haven't registered yet for this year's event, please go to www.cyclenation.org to register for an event near you.

About

First Mate

Features
Read full description

First Mate is the app every boat owner needs for a reliable and enjoyable boating excursion. First Mate is the first app using advanced Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering calculations and tow tank test data to provide you with vessel duration, range, and engine output without the need for expensive integrated management systems. This app compliments your navigation equipment and gauges to calculate the information needed to plan or update the journey in real time. Input the fuel and vessel speed; First Mate will calculate:  • Hours to empty • Distance to empty • Estimated engine RPM, fuel burn rate, brake horsepower All calculations update when user updates the app. Typically trip planning is done using rough estimates using data from the vessel manufacturer. Integrated management systems can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars, require installation, and only provide basic information about engine performance and maintenance. First Mate is a robust app that accounts for drag, weight, and engine performance to accurately plan excursions and spontaneously change plans while underway. The user interface is designed to allow anyone, regardless of boating knowledge, to easily set up and use the app. Because this app covers all planing monohulls, information about the vessel must be input under the “Vessel” tab. Information about the vessel is available at the manufacturer’s website. It is very simple to use for beginner or advance users. Once the Vessel tab is filled out, print it as a backup and keep a copy in the vessel log book. The “Dashboard” tab provides the user with all the information to estimate range based on the speed, weight, and current fuel readings. Other important information is displayed on this tab includes: engine RPM, fuel burn rate, and brake horsepower (BHP). The environmental input is used to calculate the seastate and the effect it will have on the range. Departure fluid levels and weights are used to estimate the total vessels displacement. There are several reference tables on the “Tables” tab to help estimate the remaining fluid levels based on gauge readings and seastate based on Beaufort Wind Scale. The app can be updated when the engine or propeller is upgraded without the need to buy anything. If you want to know how an engine or propeller upgrade will change the performance of the vessel, the app can do the calculations for you. If you are in the market for a boat, want to build a custom boat, or modify an existing hull, use the app to estimate displacement, range, required fuel capacity, and horsepower. App Features: • User inputs the vessel and engine specifications. • During trip or for trip planning, user only inputs wind speed, fuel, and vessel speed. Update these values throughout the trip to update range and engine calculations. • User can customize or update output after making changes to vessel or propulsion system. • User can update app with new vessel specifications after buying a new boat. Only purchase the app once. • Calculations are only updated with new input from user (saves battery life). • User input is saved on device but make a printout for backup and keep in vessel log. • Take screen shots to share. • Does not have maps or speedometer. Other devices or gauges can provide this information without draining your device’s battery. Find the tutorial and more information here: https://poseidonvesselmanagement.com/first-mate Why is this app not free?? • NO in app purchases, NO subscriptions, NO ads, NO data collection, NO locked features. • Rely on word-of-mouth advertising. • Provide a high-quality product to the customer at the lowest price. Poseidon Vessel Management does NOT collect any of your information, but feel free to tell your friends about our app!

Screenshots

CycleNation4 screens
First Mate4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: CycleNation at Free against First Mate's $19.99. First Mate's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months) and iOS requirement (14.5 vs 17.0). On ads, in-app purchases 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

CycleNation is free to download; First Mate costs $19.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

CycleNation ships an update every 2 months, First Mate every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 10, 2026 and September 26, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 6 level
CycleNation versus First Mate: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCycleNationFirst Mate
PriceFree — better$19.99
Rating4.8 (105 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings105 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.014.5 — better
Further details — not scored
Size35 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAmerican Heart AssociationMatthew Ricciardo

In-app purchases

None

CycleNation

No in-app purchases

None

First Mate

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is CycleNation free?
CycleNation is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is First Mate free?
First Mate costs $19.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do CycleNation or First Mate have ads?
Neither CycleNation nor First Mate shows ads.
Which is updated more often, CycleNation or First Mate?
CycleNation ships an update every 2 months, and First Mate every 3 weeks. Most recently, CycleNation was updated on October 10, 2026 and First Mate on September 26, 2026.

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