Comparison

Helmsman's Kit vs Messina Strait Currents

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

Head to head
About

Helmsman's Kit

This navigation app provides essential yacht cockpit features, including a spherical compass, man-over-board alerts, and anchor watch. It offers offline charts, weather overlays, and marine instrument displays for a comprehensive sailing experience.

Highlights
  • Spherical compass display
  • Man-over-board button with direction/distance
  • Anchor watch with forwarding
  • Offline chart caching
  • Weather overlay (wind, waves, temp, pressure)
  • Marine instruments display (position, heading, speed)
  • Track export in GPX format
Features
Read full description

This app combines the essential features you need in the cockpit of your yacht, optimized for easy and fast usage. β€’ Display of a spherical compass as you are used to. β€’ Man-over-board button, display direction/distance with compass. β€’ Anchor watch with forwarding to a second device. β€’ Bearing compass. β€’ Charts with sea signs. β€’ Offline charts by caching of all chart access. β€’ Weather overlay: wind, waves, temperature, pressure. β€’ Tracking optimized for boats. β€’ Full access to and export of the tracks in standard format (GPX). β€’ Post images of your tracks on social media. β€’ Marine instruments display with the standard values: Position, Heading, Speed over ground, Course over Ground, Heel, Log, Average speed, Time. No account or registration required, even not for forwarding the anchor watch alarm to a second iPhone or iPad!

About

Messina Strait Currents

Features
Read full description

Messina Strait Currents provides tidal current predictions for the Strait of Messina, helping anyone navigating the Strait to plan crossings safely. Based on official harmonic constants, the app calculates tidal current direction and speed at the Strait of Messina's two main reference points, Punta Pezzo and Ganzirri, as well as in secondary areas of the Strait. Results are also displayed through a simple graph, providing a quick and clear overview of tidal current trends. Tidal currents in the Strait of Messina may exceed 6 knots. Knowing the predicted current conditions helps you plan a safer crossing. Home Screen widgets provide at-a-glance current information for Punta Pezzo and Ganzirri, without opening the app. Apple Watch. Check tidal current direction and speed at Punta Pezzo and Ganzirri directly from your wrist, view current trend charts, and access current analysis for the Strait of Messina. Use the Digital Crown to explore predictions by adjusting the date and time. Ring Smart for Apple Watch. Ring Smart watch face complications display current values and trends for Punta Pezzo and Ganzirri at a glance, without opening the app. Shortcuts and Siri. Check tidal currents at Punta Pezzo, Ganzirri, and across the Strait of Messina using shortcuts, which can also be activated with Siri for quick access to current information. The app also provides: β€’ Sunrise and sunset times β€’ Moonrise and moonset times β€’ Moon phase β€’ Illuminated portion of the Moon Specifically designed for navigation in the Strait of Messina. Messina Strait Currents builds on the experience of the previous app, available on the App Store since 2012, with a completely redesigned layout and numerous improvements. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Helmsman's Kit4 screens
Messina Strait Currents4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Messina Strait Currents at Free against Helmsman's Kit's $1.99. Messina Strait Currents also leads on update cadence (every 8 days vs every 7 months). Helmsman's Kit's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.6). On ads 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

Messina Strait Currents is free to download; Helmsman's Kit costs $1.99 up front. Messina Strait Currents sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per year. Helmsman's Kit asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Helmsman's Kit ships an update every 7 months, Messina Strait Currents every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences Β· 4 level
Helmsman's Kit versus Messina Strait Currents: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHelmsman's KitMessina Strait Currents
Price$1.99Free β€” better
Positive reviews100.0% of reviewsβ€”
Update frequencyEvery 7 monthsEvery 8 days β€” better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo β€” betterYes
MonetizationPaidβ€”
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch
Requires iOS13.0 β€” better17.6
Further details β€” not scored
Size5 MB19 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDr. Harald MerkelAldo Buongarzone

In-app purchases

None

Helmsman's Kit

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

Messina Strait Currents

Subscriptions1
  • 1 year$3.991 Year
One-time2
  • 7 days$0.99
  • 1 month$1.99

Questions

Is Helmsman's Kit free?
Helmsman's Kit costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Messina Strait Currents free?
Messina Strait Currents is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Helmsman's Kit or Messina Strait Currents have ads?
Neither Helmsman's Kit nor Messina Strait Currents shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Helmsman's Kit or Messina Strait Currents?
Helmsman's Kit ships an update every 7 months, and Messina Strait Currents every 8 days. Most recently, Helmsman's Kit was updated on October 24, 2026 and Messina Strait Currents on October 15, 2026.

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