Comparison

XTide vs Tides and Currents

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

Head to head
About

XTide

Get tide and current predictions with this app. It offers information for your favorite tide stations and is based on the open-source XTide for Unix. Note: not for navigation and accuracy depends on harmonic data.

Highlights
  • Tide and current predictions
  • Apple Watch app and widget
  • Favorite tide station information
  • Based on open-source XTide
  • Supports custom harmonics files
Read full description

XTide provides tide and current predictions. The Apple Watch app and Widget show information for the closest of your favorite tide stations. It is based on the popular open source XTide for Unix from http://www.flaterco.com/xtide/introduction.html XTide includes a harmonics file (tide data) for the United States only due to legal issues with the data from other countries, but supports custom harmonics files. See https://flaterco.com/xtide/faq.html#60 for more information. NOT FOR NAVIGATION This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. The author assumes no liability for damages arising from use of this program OR of any 'harmonics data' that might be distributed with it. For details, see the appended GNU General Public License. (Accurate tide predictions can only be made if the 'harmonics data' for the relevant location are good. Unfortunately, the only way the maintainer of those data has of knowing when they are bad is when someone with access to authoritative tide predictions or observations reports a problem. You should not use this program or any data files that might be distributed with it if anyone or anything could come to harm as a result of an incorrect tide prediction. NOAA and similar agencies in other countries can provide you with certified tide predictions if that is what you need.) XTide's predictions do not incorporate the effects of tropical storms, El Niño, seismic events, subsidence, uplift, or changes in global sea level.

About

Tides and Currents

This app provides offline tidal and current predictions for the USA using harmonic analysis. It offers detailed data for numerous stations, including sunrise, sunset, and moon phases. A pro version unlocks advanced features like unlimited date access and a 7-day map forecast.

Highlights
  • Offline tidal and current data
  • 1343+ tide stations
  • 849+ current stations
  • Sunrise, sunset, moon phase data
  • Tide map forecast
  • Pro features: unlimited dates, calendar selection, widgets
Features
Read full description

Tides and Currents provide 1343 harmonic tide stations,2199 subordinate tide stations and 849 harmonic current stations, 1707 subordinate current stations of USA. This app predicts tides and currents by using harmonic analysis calculations with Harmonic Constituents which can be get from NOAA website. So the APP can provide tide and current data without network。 Since calculations are performed locally on the device, tide and current data can be viewed for any date. In addition, the APP also provides sunrise,sunset, moonrise , moonset, dusk,dawn, moon phase of every day. In addition, the app provide tide map forecast. Disclaimer: The App loads astronomical tide level and tidal current data, which does not include changes in water levels and residual currents caused by meteorological or other factors. Under special circumstances, the impact of hurricanes, cold waves, floods and other factors should also be considered. Do not use Tides and Currents for navigation purpose or any other purpose that may result in personal injury or property damage. 【Pro】 1.No limit date for tides and currents 2.Select date directly with calendar 3. Month table for tides and currents 4.Unlock widget 5. Map forecast for 7 days. Purchase Notes: 1. The account will be automatically renewed and deducted the corresponding fee 1 day before the expiration. 2. If you need to cancel the renewal, please cancel in your personal iTunes account at least 1 day in advance. 3. After purchase, users can manage or turn off automatic renewal in personal account settings. Terms of Services : https://www.astronomyobserver.net/h5/tidesandcurrents/user Privacy policy: https://www.astronomyobserver.net/h5/tidesandcurrents/privacy

Screenshots

XTide2 screens
Tides and Currents4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: XTide at 100% against Tides and Currents's 20%. XTide also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 3) and rating (4.7 vs 4.2). Tides and Currents's advantage is ratings volume (28 vs 3). On price, update cadence and ads 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. Tides and Currents sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. XTide asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

XTide holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Tides and Currents has 28 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of XTide's written reviews are positive against 20% of Tides and Currents's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

XTide ships an update every 3 months, Tides and Currents every 2 months. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
XTide versus Tides and Currents: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterXTideTides and Currents
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (3 ratings) — better4.2 (28 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better20.0% of reviews
Number of ratings328 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS14.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size8 MB20 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLee Ann Rucker雪平 王

Customer experience

XTide

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Tides and Currents

All ratings28 ratings
Positive85.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative14.3%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive20.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative80.0%

In-app purchases

None

XTide

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

Tides and Currents

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly pro$2.991 Month
  • Annual pro$19.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime Pro$49.99

Questions

Is XTide free?
XTide is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Tides and Currents free?
Tides and Currents is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, XTide or Tides and Currents?
XTide is rated higher. XTide averages 4.7 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while Tides and Currents averages 4.2 from 28 ratings.
Do XTide or Tides and Currents have ads?
Neither XTide nor Tides and Currents shows ads.
Which is updated more often, XTide or Tides and Currents?
XTide ships an update every 3 months, and Tides and Currents every 2 months. Most recently, XTide was updated on October 24, 2026 and Tides and Currents on October 24, 2026.

Other comparisons