Comparison

CBP ROAM vs TMG Dash

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

Head to head
About

CBP ROAM

This app allows pleasure boaters and eligible travelers arriving at remote locations to report their arrival online. It facilitates trip creation and may offer video inspections with a CBP Officer for eligible users.

Highlights
  • Online arrival reporting
  • Create trip details
  • Add travelers
  • Specify mode of travel
  • Report location
  • Video inspection eligibility
  • Push notifications for video chat
Features
Read full description

The official CBP ROAM App (formerly OARS) from U.S. Customs and Border Protection allows pleasure boaters and other eligible travelers who arrive at remote locations to report their arrival online. In addition to submitting a report of arrival, pleasure boaters who are not currently enrolled in a Trusted Traveler Program, Local Boater Option, or I-68 program who are currently required to report in person may be eligible for a video inspection. Disclaimer: This is a pilot version only for use in limited areas. Contact your local Port of Entry for guidance. Create a trip by adding travelers, your mode of travel, your location, and contact information. After you submit a trip, you may receive a push notification on your device to start a video chat with a CBP Officer to finish reporting your entry into the United States.

About

TMG Dash

Monitor and manage your boat remotely from anywhere in the world. Track its location, monitor vital parameters, and receive alerts for various events like geofencing breaches, low battery, or unauthorized access. Control ignition, sirens, and strobe lights directly from your device.

Highlights
  • Remote boat monitoring
  • Real-time location tracking
  • Customizable alerts
  • Remote control of boat systems
  • Geofencing notifications
  • Location and alert history
Features
Read full description

TMG Dash, the Boat Surveillance and Management system allows users to monitor a boat from anywhere in the world. This system has different types of sensors to perform different operations below is the more details about features, Alerts and Controls.Don't settle for anything less when it comes to safeguarding your valuable marine assets. Choose TMG Dash app and experience the unparalleled convenience and security it brings to boat owners. With our app, you gain complete control over your boat, no matter where you are or what time zone you're in. You can track its location, monitor vital parameters, manage alarms, inputs, and outputs remotely. In addition, our comprehensive enter and exit geofencing zone notifications provide added security for your vessel, ensuring you're always aware of any potential unauthorised activity. Features: Location History: Track and review the historical movement of your boat. Alert History: Access a log of all triggered alerts for comprehensive monitoring. Real-Time Battery Voltage: Keep tabs on your boat's battery voltage in real-time. Breadcrumbs Every 2 Minutes: Precise breadcrumb tracking at a 2-minute interval for accurate route information. Unlimited Groups: Organised and manage multiple boats or groups effortlessly. Unlimited Recipients: Share alerts and notifications with an unlimited number of recipients. Alerts: Low Battery Alert: Receive notifications when the device's battery level is low. Power Disconnect Alert: Get alerted when the device loses power or is disconnected. Zone Alert: Define custom zones and receive notifications when your boat enters or exits these areas. Speed Alert: Set speed thresholds and be notified when your boat exceeds them. Door Alert: Receive alerts when doors or hatches are opened or closed. After Hours Alert: Get notified if unauthorised access occurs during specified hours. Outboard Motor Alert: Receive alerts for outboard motor status changes or issues. High Water Alert: Be warned if water levels exceed safe limits. Infrared Detection Alert: Get alerted when the device detects infrared motion. Theft Fence Alert: Set virtual boundaries and receive alerts if your boat is moved beyond them. Controls: Ignition On/Off: Remotely control your boat's ignition system. Siren On/Off: Activate or deactivate the siren remotely. Strobe On/Off: Control the strobe lights on your boat remotely. Theft Fence On/Off: Enable or disable the theft fence feature as needed. Infrared On/Off: Control the infrared detection system remotely.

Screenshots

CBP ROAM4 screens
TMG Dash4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: TMG Dash at 5.0 against CBP ROAM's 3.3. CBP ROAM's advantage is ratings volume (125 vs 1) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 6 weeks). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

TMG Dash holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: CBP ROAM has 125 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

CBP ROAM ships an update every 3 weeks, TMG Dash every 6 weeks. Both last shipped on September 24, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
CBP ROAM versus TMG Dash: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCBP ROAMTMG Dash
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.3 (125 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews26.5% of reviews—
Number of ratings125 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 6 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.2 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size231 MB54 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperUS Customs and Border ProtectionThe Marine Guadian LLC

Customer experience

CBP ROAM

All ratings125 ratings
Positive56.8%
Neutral4.8%
Negative38.4%
Written reviews49 reviews
Positive26.5%
Neutral4.1%
Negative69.4%

TMG Dash

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

CBP ROAM

Reported bugs

34 issues
  • App crashes after update
  • App will not open
  • App crashes within one second of opening
  • App closes immediately after opening
  • App not letting user login
Show 29 more
  • App crashes when trying to enter a change of port of call
  • One-time verification codes never worked
  • Latest update fails to submit arrivals
  • Update forces user to update, causing crash after login
  • App keeps sending user to the same place despite logging in
  • Waiting for agent for over two days
  • App says waiting, cannot cancel or navigate
  • Unable to report 'port of call'
  • Port of call button missing
  • Latest update dumps previously configured travelers and vessels
  • No account info comes over when adding app to new device
  • Updated version on App Store downloads incomplete or old version
  • No copy-and-paste for phone numbers or other info
  • No ability to change traveler info after initial edit
  • Cannot paste existing passport photo
  • Tedious manual entry of numbers
  • Authentication failed on own phone, but works on others'
  • Facial recognition takes multiple tries
  • Stuck on login screen, does not advance to verification code
  • Switching apps for PIN code results in blank screen on return
  • App quits when editing or manually entering a traveler
  • Cannot find support for security key setup
  • Stuck in a loop requiring backup authentication setup
  • Won't go past the accept button
  • New update no longer works, fails to open
  • App won't load
  • Gets frozen on a screen
  • Misspelled 'Received' on Video Chat info page
  • App crashes when trip page is displayed

Requested features

11 requests
  • Add port of call button
  • Allow letters in flight number
  • Allow copy-paste for numbers
  • Allow sharing travelers between users
  • Add more instructions for numbers needed
Show 6 more
  • Allow submission and approval prior to US waters entry
  • Allow users to remain logged in
  • Use fingerprint recognition for login
  • Consider alternatives to Zoom for video calls
  • Add Spanish language support (already present, but caused bugs)
  • Invite users to TestFlight beta program

TMG Dash

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

CBP ROAM

No in-app purchases

None

TMG Dash

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is CBP ROAM free?
CBP ROAM is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is TMG Dash free?
TMG Dash is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, CBP ROAM or TMG Dash?
TMG Dash is rated higher. CBP ROAM averages 3.3 out of 5 from 125 ratings, while TMG Dash averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do CBP ROAM or TMG Dash have ads?
Neither CBP ROAM nor TMG Dash shows ads.
Which is updated more often, CBP ROAM or TMG Dash?
CBP ROAM ships an update every 3 weeks, and TMG Dash every 6 weeks. Most recently, CBP ROAM was updated on September 24, 2026 and TMG Dash on September 24, 2026.

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