Comparison

BGI Config vs BilgeBuddy

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

Head to head
About

BGI Config

Features
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The BGI Config App is an essential tool for users of Blue Guard Smart Sensors. Product compatibility includes: BG-One, BG-Oil, BG-HW, BG-SW, BG-SWA, BG-SWCL, and BG-SP. The BGI Config App allows the user to connect, control, monitor, and personalize their Blue Guard Smart Sensors via Bluetooth. Connect The BGI Config App connects with BGI sensors via Bluetooth. Control Set the operating modes for the BG-One and BG-Oil sensors. Set low, medium, or high oil detection sensitivity for the BG-One and BG-Oil sensors. Set the pump activation timing after water and oil detection (if applicable) for sensors with pump control. Monitor Monitor the current status of all BGI sensors. Depending on the sensor, the App allows you to monitor the temperature, voltage and current, alarm state, oil detection, detected medium, and pump output. System Test Remotely test the system to verify connections and functionality of the pump and alarm. Personalize Personalize each sensor by changing the names of devices for easy identification and differentiation.

About

BilgeBuddy

This app allows you to remotely monitor your boat's bilge system, battery health, and location. Receive instant notifications for potential issues like flooding, system malfunctions, or unexpected movement, ensuring peace of mind and proactive problem-solving.

Highlights
  • Remote bilge system monitoring
  • Flooding detection and sinking prevention
  • Battery system health monitoring
  • Break-away alerts and location services
  • Impact detection
  • Easy installation with common pumps
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Remotely Monitor Your Boat - Connect your boat with the BilgeBuddy device, making it a smart boat that can be monitored remotely on the app. - Have peace-of-mind in the palm of your hand, where ever you are. - Notifications let you fix problems before they arise. Easy Installation - BilgeBuddy pairs with all common 12V bilge pumps & floats. - Our patent pending technology allows for an easy installation with a few simple connections. - Our instructions get most DIYers & all professionals up and running in minutes. All you need are wire strippers and a lighter. We provide the rest. How BilgeBuddy keeps your boat safe: Flooding Detection & Sinking Prevention - Detect moderate & extreme water levels. - Automatically purge high water when auto-float fails. - Analyze frequency & reason for bilge cycles. Bilge System Health Monitoring - Ensure functioning bilge pump. - Proactive pump electronic health monitoring. - Detect Auto-float malfunction. - Alert of helm switch accidentally left on. Battery System Health Monitoring - Remotely check if enough voltage to start engines. - Battery discharge & charging trends. - Detect alternator & shore power system malfunction. Break-away Alerts & Location Services - Alert when your boat leaves its home base unexpectedly. - Remotely monitor when others use your boat. - Cloud backup of trips and usage. - Back-up navigation system. Impact Detection & Damage Prevention - Detect impacts with dock. - Detect major collisions. Freeze Damage Prevention & Storm Monitoring - Prevent damage during quick freezes. - Storm warnings & monitoring. (coming soon)

Screenshots

BGI Config4 screens
BilgeBuddy3 screens

Verdict

The call

BGI Config and BilgeBuddy are too close to call on the numbers: across 6 compared parameters — price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

BGI Config ships an update every 2 months, BilgeBuddy every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 18, 2026 and August 2, 2026 respectively.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
BGI Config versus BilgeBuddy: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBGI ConfigBilgeBuddy
PriceFreeFree
Rating—4.9 (14 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—14 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 6 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
Monetization—Free
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better13.0
Further details — not scored
Size27 MB36 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBlue Guard Innovations, LLCBilgeBuddy

In-app purchases

None

BGI Config

No in-app purchases

None

BilgeBuddy

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is BGI Config free?
BGI Config is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is BilgeBuddy free?
BilgeBuddy is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do BGI Config or BilgeBuddy have ads?
Neither BGI Config nor BilgeBuddy shows ads.
Which is updated more often, BGI Config or BilgeBuddy?
BGI Config ships an update every 2 months, and BilgeBuddy every 6 weeks. Most recently, BGI Config was updated on September 18, 2026 and BilgeBuddy on August 2, 2026.

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