Comparison

SUNBEAMsystem vs AnchorChainCalculator

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

Head to head
About

SUNBEAMsystem

Monitor your lithium battery's charge status, voltage, current, and temperature. Retrieve cycle count and capacity information for a comprehensive overview. The app automatically reconnects via Bluetooth.

Highlights
  • Real-time charge status
  • Voltage and current monitoring
  • Battery temperature display
  • Cycle count retrieval
  • Capacity loss information
  • Automatic Bluetooth reconnection
Features
Read full description

Please, get attention: This version isn't supported anymore, so please, migrate onto our Multi Connect application: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/sunbeamsystem-multi-connect/id1497362864. However, you could still use this version, if you don't want to get more functionality and supported hardware. SUNBEAMsystem Smart L I T H I U M is fully Plug & Play which means you can replace your old lead acid with out any hassles or need in extra equipment. The app gives you full control and overview of your charge status and other important parameters. App functionality: Main Screen is configurable and will show The state of Charge, Voltage, Charge and Discharge current, The used capacity in Ah, Projected time until full and empty, finally also the temperature inside the battery. You can retrieve cycle count as well as the calculated capacity. This is improves the second hand value as well as giving you immediate information regarding any capacity loss due to for example low temperature. Temperature is configurable (C/F) The Connection to the battery uses low consumption Bluetooth and after connection the app will try to stay connected to the battery in the background as long as you do not disconnect (by hitting the back button). This means you might move out of contact (leave your vessel) and then return and the app will reconnect automatically. The Bluetooth connection strength is shown in the upper right corner.

About

AnchorChainCalculator

Calculate the optimal amount of anchor chain or rope for secure anchoring based on vessel characteristics and sea conditions. Provides detailed load calculations and accounts for dynamic effects like swell and gusts. Supports both metric and imperial units, with options for chain-only or mixed rope/chain setups.

Highlights
  • Physics-based anchoring calculations
  • Customizable vessel and sea conditions
  • Chain-only or mixed rope/chain support
  • Load and swell absorption analysis
  • Metric and imperial unit support
  • Multiple vessel configuration storage
  • Basic and Expert modes
Features
Read full description

Rather than following generic and unspecific advice how much chain or rope to pay out when at anchor, use this app to calculate the right amount of chain or rope needed for the anchor to have the best possible grip – safety tailored for your vessel! This app has been developed by a sailor living at anchor. It is based on physics rather than rules. Only too often does anchoring advice boil down to: Use a scope (i.e. ratio of chain length to water depth) of 3:1 in calm weather, and increase this to 5:1 or 7:1 as the wind picks up. This advice is independent of your vessel’s characteristics, independent of water depth, swell, or even the wind strength. So, is a scope of 7:1 still good enough for the storm tonight? Is the snubber or bridle you are using good enough to keep you safe at anchor? The Anchor Chain Calculator allows you to calculate the minimally required anchor chain and/or rope length based on a number of vessel characteristics and sea / weather conditions. It tells you what load the anchor will have to bear, and when you are using a snubber, bridle or rope, how much of the swell it absorbs, and how much it reduces the anchor load. When anchoring in shallow water it is particularly important to include these dynamic and elastic effects caused by strong swell and gusts. The app can work with a chain-only scenario as well as with an arbitrary mix of rope and chain. So, despite its name, it can also deal with a rope without any chain at all. ;) You can also restrict the chain or rope length, if you have to - perhaps because of nearby neighbours or obstacles - and get information how this restriction affects the anchor load and the angle at which the chain pulls at the anchor. The app has two modes of working: Basic Mode and Expert Mode. With Basic Mode you will be able to use the app right away, whilst Expert Mode allows you to enter more technical details of your boat if you know them. You can use either metric units (metres, daN / kp, and mm for chain thickness) or imperial units (feet, lbs, and inch for chain thickness). You can store different vessel configurations by name and so can easily switch, e.g., between different snubber, bridle, rope or vessel setups (e.g., a snubber for the lunch stop, another snubber for normal usage, and a third longer and even more elastic snubber for really bad weather). These setups can be locked to prevent accidental overwriting. This app is also great for playing through all kinds of "what if?” scenarios. It will help you to plan ahead and be better prepared. The perfect addition to an anchor alarm / anchor watch for safer anchoring!

Screenshots

SUNBEAMsystem3 screens
AnchorChainCalculator4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: SUNBEAMsystem at Free against AnchorChainCalculator's $12.99. AnchorChainCalculator's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 3.0) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months). On ratings volume, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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

SUNBEAMsystem is free to download; AnchorChainCalculator costs $12.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

AnchorChainCalculator holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 5 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SUNBEAMsystem ships an update every 2 months, AnchorChainCalculator every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 19, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
SUNBEAMsystem versus AnchorChainCalculator: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSUNBEAMsystemAnchorChainCalculator
PriceFree — better$12.99
Rating3.0 (2 ratings)5.0 (5 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings25 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS11.010.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size11 MB12 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSUNBEAMsystem ABMathias Wagner

Customer experience

SUNBEAMsystem

All ratings2 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

AnchorChainCalculator

All ratings5 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

SUNBEAMsystem

No in-app purchases

None

AnchorChainCalculator

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SUNBEAMsystem free?
SUNBEAMsystem is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is AnchorChainCalculator free?
AnchorChainCalculator costs $12.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, SUNBEAMsystem or AnchorChainCalculator?
AnchorChainCalculator is rated higher. SUNBEAMsystem averages 3.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while AnchorChainCalculator averages 5.0 from 5 ratings.
Do SUNBEAMsystem or AnchorChainCalculator have ads?
Neither SUNBEAMsystem nor AnchorChainCalculator shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SUNBEAMsystem or AnchorChainCalculator?
SUNBEAMsystem ships an update every 2 months, and AnchorChainCalculator every 3 weeks. Most recently, SUNBEAMsystem was updated on October 19, 2026 and AnchorChainCalculator on October 24, 2026.

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