Comparison

Tactiqs vs TackSense

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

Head to head
About

Tactiqs

This comprehensive boat performance system enhances race understanding and decision-making using real-time sensor data. It offers customizable displays for numerous metrics, post-race analysis, and integrated charting with weather forecasts. Supports both instrumented and smaller boats, with advanced features for foiling vessels.

Highlights
  • Real-time performance metrics
  • Post-race analysis tools
  • Sail usage tracking
  • Integrated chart viewer
  • Weather forecasts and routing
  • Augmented reality display integration
Features
Read full description

The Tactiqs® Performance System was designed by a team of sail boat racers and technologists from the US and Europe as the ultimate comprehensive boat performance system. It will substantially improve your understanding of the conditions and the race course, and help you make better decisions and win more races. The system utilizes your boat's sensor data via a wireless NMEA interface connected to the Tactiqs® application, allowing the crew to use any number of iOS devices as customizable displays for 52 different performance metrics. An additional data set is available for foiling boats to optimize your flight attitude and performance. Post-race analysis tools give you the details on your performance and let you review the race by numbers as well as track individual sail usage and cross-overs to make optimum use of your inventory. The integrated camera function allows you to take sail shape photos synchronized with your performance data for detailed analysis - photos taken with dual-camera iPhones are perspective-corrected for maximum accuracy in sail-shape analysis tools. For smaller boats without instruments the system uses the iOS devices' built-in sensors and basic wind input controls combined with smart tracking algorithms. The built-in chart viewer (iPad only) enables quick and easy planning and routing for offshore and coastal racing, including fully integrated weather forecasts and routing together with our partner Avalon Offshore. You can create course specific waypoints and exclusion zones to fine-tune your route, and visually edit the course directly in the map. If your boat is equipped with an AIS receiver you can see other vessels and their heading and speed on the chart. The system supports Navionics charts and raster format charts based on BSB versions 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, and GeoTIFF. Navigation in the app is simple - swipe the left edge to switch between live race mode, race analysis mode, and setup mode, and the right edge to select a view within each mode. When in live race mode, swipe up and down to switch between performance data and start data, and between wind and course data. That's all you need to know. Additionally, the Tactiqs® system offers custom augmented reality displays in the form-factor of sun-glasses that provide you the key data right within your field of vision. These glasses are fully integrated with the iOS application and can replicate any metrics of choice. Race data such as course definitions, your sail inventory, and your boat's VPP data are synchronized with your iOS device for offline access during racing. Once you have raced with this level of understanding of the race track and your boat's performance in realtime you will never want to go back.

About

TackSense

Features
Read full description

TackSense is a simple sailing aid that helps you understand your point of sail from wind direction, boat heading, wind speed, and gusts. Enter the conditions, and TackSense shows a clear visual guide for the sailing angle, likely sail position, reefing considerations, and downwind caution zones. It is designed for quick use on deck when you want a fast sanity check without clutter, accounts, or unnecessary complexity. TackSense can help you identify whether you are close-hauled, reaching, running, near the no-go zone, or in a wing-on-wing zone. It also provides practical trim suggestions such as when sails should be trimmed in, eased out, or when a more conservative setup may be appropriate. Features * Point-of-sail calculation from wind direction and heading * Wind speed and gust input * Clear sail-position diagram * Main and headsail setup suggestions * Reefing considerations based on wind strength and gusts * Downwind caution notes, including wing-on-wing and gybe risk zones * Simple terminology for newer sailors * Works on-device * No account required TackSense is not a chartplotter, navigation system, weather service, or replacement for seamanship. It provides general sail-setup guidance based on the information you enter. Always consider local conditions, sea state, crew ability, vessel setup, and official weather information before sailing. Built for sailors who want a fast, visual answer to a basic but important question: What point of sail am I on, and how should the sails roughly be set?

Screenshots

Tactiqs4 screens
TackSense4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is device support: Tactiqs at 4 against TackSense's 2. Tactiqs also leads on iOS requirement (15.6 vs 17.0). On price, ads and in-app purchases 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Tactiqs versus TackSense: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTactiqsTackSense
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (19 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews88.9% of reviews—
Number of ratings19 — better—
Update frequencyWeekly—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.6 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size186 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMarine Ventures LLCMagnus Soderstrom

In-app purchases

None

Tactiqs

No in-app purchases

None

TackSense

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Tactiqs free?
Tactiqs is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is TackSense free?
TackSense is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Tactiqs or TackSense have ads?
Neither Tactiqs nor TackSense shows ads.

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