Nearest Light vs Raymarine
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Nearest Light
This app provides U.S. water navigation information, displaying your location and details on nearby aids like buoys and lights. It downloads weekly U.S. Coast Guard Light List data and includes relevant Local Notice for Mariners information.
- Displays user location
- Shows surrounding aids to navigation
- Downloads weekly U.S. Coast Guard Light List
- Includes Local Notice for Mariners
- Supports multiple U.S. Coast Guard districts
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Nearest Light is a informational aid for U.S. waters that shows your location and details on all surrounding aids to navigation (buoys, lights, etc) within your Area of Interest. The app downloads the weekly U.S. Coast Guard Light List for your district, and then shows the aids within your Area of Interest and their details. Any applicable Local Notice for Mariners information is also shown with the light data. Refer to the User Manual (url in Settings) for additional information. Districts: D1, D5, D7, D8, D8WR, D9, D11, D13, D14, D17 (ref: https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=lightLists) Warning: Nearest Light, which provides Light List data, is not intended to be used in place of charts or Coast Pilots. Charts should be consulted for the location of all aids to navigation. It may be dangerous to use aids to navigation without reference to charts.
Raymarine
This app connects to Raymarine marine electronics, allowing remote control and monitoring of radar, sonar, and chartplotters. Manage charts and stream data from compatible devices for a connected boating experience.
- View and control radar, sonar, and chartplotter
- Remote boat monitoring
- Manage LightHouse Charts
- Stream and control legacy chartplotters
- Connect with YachtSense Link router
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The Raymarine App is the official digital companion for Raymarine chartplotters and connected boating. Use the Raymarine App to view and control radar, sonar, and chartplotter from your Axiom chartplotter display. Connect and monitor your boat remotely with the Raymarine YachtSense Link mobile router and manage your Raymarine LightHouse Charts right from your mobile device. The Raymarine mobile app also allows streaming and control of Raymarine legacy eS and gS Series chartplotter displays. Please note that Element chartplotter displays are not compatible with the screen mirroring feature. - We no longer support Raymarine eS and gS series chart plotters. Please ensure you're using a compatible device for the best experience. Terms of Use (EULA ) : https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Nearest Light at 67% against Raymarine's 12%. Nearest Light also leads on rating (3.9 vs 1.5) and in-app purchases (none vs 6). On price, ratings volume, 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
Both are free to download. Raymarine sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $19.99 per month. Nearest Light asks for nothing beyond the download.
Nearest Light holds the better App Store score, 3.9 against 1.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 7 and 17 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 67% of Nearest Light's written reviews are positive against 12% of Raymarine's.
Nearest Light ships an update every 3 months, Raymarine every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Nearest Light | Raymarine |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.9 (7 ratings) — better | 1.5 (17 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 66.7% of reviews — better | 12.2% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 7 | 17 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months — better | Every 4 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 1 MB | 195 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Clint O'Connor | Raymarine UK Limited |
Customer experience
Nearest Light
Raymarine
Bugs and requests
Nearest Light
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
Raymarine
Reported bugs
48 issues- Connection lost message
- App closes immediately
- Fails to connect reliably
- Crashing frequently
- Disconnects and drops Wi-Fi
Show 43 moreShow fewer
- Poor connectivity
- Bad resolution
- Laggy performance
- Crashes every time
- Connects but no function
- Needs internet to connect
- Login server issues
- Owner login fails
- Pop-up never goes away
- Screen rotation not working
- Unstable connection
- Grainy display
- Ignores screen rotation
- Constantly loses connection
- Tiny text
- Screen displayed sideways
- Drops often
- Cannot log in on iPhone
- No alerts sent
- SMS alerts not working
- Support nonexistent
- Wi-Fi dropping out
- Cannot set up account
- Chart download issues
- Password incorrect message
- App does not recognize Wi-Fi
- Cannot set up boat
- Password not recognized
- Invalid login message
- Doesn't work with Element series
- Cannot interact with autopilot
- App sees connection but no access
- Frequently locks up
- Slow reaction speed
- Only read rights message
- Password symbol issues
- Account creation difficult
- Fix pinch to zoom
- Cannot create account
- Data not in correct format
- App does not recognize Wi-Fi connection
- Login issues
- Doesn't work with A series plotters
Requested features
22 requests- Improve resolution
- Simplify connection process
- Improve user-friendliness
- Allow screen rotation
- Add dark mode
Show 17 moreShow fewer
- Fix pinch to zoom
- Enable SMS alerts
- Improve alert priority settings
- Integrate with onboard network
- Improve chart download process
- Fix password symbol issues
- Allow chart updates via app
- Add demo mode
- Improve UI/UX
- Add pull-out sidebar
- Remove redundant close bar
- Improve screen real estate usage
- Improve graphics
- Make updates easier
- Support Element series mirroring
- Fix login issues
- Support A series plotters
In-app purchases
Nearest Light
No in-app purchases
Raymarine
- One Boat Monthly6 Months trial$19.991 Month
- Two Boats Monthly6 Months trial$37.991 Month
- One Boat Six Monthly6 Months trial$109.996 Months
Show 3 moreShow fewer
- One Boat Yearly6 Months trial$199.991 Year
- Two Boats 6 Months6 Months trial$209.996 Months
- Two Boats 1 Year6 Months trial$399.991 Year
