Comparison

SPOT X Bluetooth vs Anchor Pro

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

Head to head
About

SPOT X Bluetooth

This app allows you to send and receive messages with any cell phone number or email address directly from your smartphone. Track your progress with customizable intervals and share with others via Google Maps. It also facilitates emergency communication with a 24/7 Search & Rescue center.

Highlights
  • Send/receive messages to cell phones and emails
  • Customizable tracking intervals
  • Share progress via Google Maps
  • Send S.O.S. to Search & Rescue
  • Two-way emergency communication
Features
Read full description

Staying connected has never being easier. Download the app to get the most out of your SPOT X® Bluetooth®. Exchange messages with any cell phone number or email address saved in your smartphone. Select from 2½, 5, 10, 30, or 60-minute tracking intervals, and let family, friends, and other adventurers follow your progress with SPOT’s easy-to-use Google Maps™ interface. Send an S.O.S. to the 24/7 Search & Rescue center, message back and forth about the nature of your emergency, and receive confirmation when help is on the way. The SPOT X App requires a SPOT account with an active SPOT X satellite device. To learn more, visit FindMeSPOT.com.

About

Anchor Pro

This app helps boaters set and monitor their anchor position in real-time. It allows for defining safe zones, tracking boat movement, and receiving alerts for critical changes. Remote notifications and Apple Watch integration enhance its utility for secure anchoring.

Highlights
  • Set anchor location in real-time or manually
  • Define custom safe swing zones
  • Monitor boat movement and track history
  • Receive real-time alerts for position, GPS, and battery
  • Remote notifications via Telegram or email
  • Apple Watch companion app for key metrics
Features
Read full description

SET THE ANCHOR Set your anchor location in real time as you drop it, or specify it later by entering distance and bearing. Advanced users can also input exact coordinates. DEFINE THE SAFE ZONE Define the allowed swing area as a simple circle around the anchor, or create a more precise zone by setting two different radii at specific angles. MONITOR MOVEMENT Stay on top of every movement with comprehensive real-time data. Review key metrics on the main screen or switch to the map view to see your boat's track — ideal for analyzing whether your anchor is holding or dragging. GET ALERTED WHEN IT MATTERS Monitor position, GPS signal strength, and battery level — and receive alerts the moment any of these fall outside your set thresholds. REMOTE ALERTS Leave your phone on board and stay informed from shore. Receive alarm notifications via Telegram or email. With Telegram, you can also request a live status update at any time. APPLE WATCH Keep distance, bearing, and battery level on your wrist with the Apple Watch companion app — all updated in real time. TRY ANCHOR PRO FOR FREE Core features are always free. Want to explore everything? All premium features are available during a free trial period — no commitment required. Anchor Pro is ad-supported. Purchasing an Anchor Premium subscription removes ads and unlocks extra features. Payment is charged to your iTunes Account at confirmation. Subscriptions renew automatically at the same price unless auto-renewal is turned off at least 24 hours before the current period ends. You can manage auto-renewal anytime in your Account Settings. Anchor Premium is $6.99 USD/year (pricing may vary by country). Any unused portion of a free trial is forfeited upon purchasing a subscription, where applicable. Terms of use: https://links.ideaboys.net/anchor-ios-terms.html GOOD TO KNOW Anchor Pro uses background audio and location services to keep alerts active when the app is not in the foreground. Please note that continuous GPS use will drain your battery faster than usual.

Screenshots

SPOT X Bluetooth4 screens
Anchor Pro4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Anchor Pro at 79% against SPOT X Bluetooth's 15%. Anchor Pro also leads on rating (4.8 vs 2.2) and ratings volume (3.6K vs 53). SPOT X Bluetooth's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and iOS requirement (10.0 vs 17.2). On price, update cadence, ads 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

Both are free to download. Anchor Pro sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $6.99 per year. SPOT X Bluetooth asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Anchor Pro holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 2.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Anchor Pro has 3.6K ratings behind it against 53, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 15% of SPOT X Bluetooth's written reviews are positive against 79% of Anchor Pro's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 19, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
SPOT X Bluetooth versus Anchor Pro: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSPOT X BluetoothAnchor Pro
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.2 (53 ratings)4.8 (3.6K ratings) — better
Positive reviews14.9% of reviews78.9% of reviews — better
Number of ratings533.6K — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch
Requires iOS10.0 — better17.2
Further details — not scored
Size58 MB23 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSPOT LLCIdeaBoys GmbH

Customer experience

SPOT X Bluetooth

All ratings53 ratings
Positive24.5%
Neutral3.8%
Negative71.7%
Written reviews47 reviews
Positive14.9%
Neutral6.4%
Negative78.7%

Anchor Pro

All ratings3,496 ratings
Positive96.5%
Neutral1.7%
Negative1.7%
Written reviews180 reviews
Positive78.9%
Neutral3.3%
Negative17.8%

User reviews

SPOT X Bluetooth

From 53 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🛰️ Essential for backcountry communication
  • 🛰️ Useful as a backup emergency device
  • 🛰️ Works independently of cell service (when it connects)
  • 🛰️ Lower service fees than competitors

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent app crashes
  • 🐛 Bluetooth connection issues
  • 🐛 App requires internet connection to function
  • 🐛 Syncing problems
  • 🐛 Unusable on modern iPhone screens

Anchor Pro

From 3.6K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Reliable anchor alarm
  • 👍 Easy to use interface
  • 🔒 Works without cell/WiFi
  • 💤 Helps user sleep soundly
  • 🗺️ Detailed anchor tracking

Room to improve

  • 🐛 GPS accuracy issues
  • 🔋 Drains device battery
  • 🔍 Remote monitoring unreliable
  • 💰 Subscription required for full features

Bugs and requests

SPOT X Bluetooth

Reported bugs

36 issues
  • App crashes before pairing
  • App crashes on login
  • App crashes on message selection
  • Bluetooth sync does not work
  • App does not sync device to web account
Show 31 more
  • Messages do not transmit to device
  • Unstable connection with Spot X
  • Sync issues
  • Display issues
  • Screen does not align properly on iPhone
  • Back button unusable on iPhone
  • App header not visible on modern phones
  • Navigation controls unusable on modern iPhones
  • Bluetooth scanning does not work
  • App logs out when offline
  • App requires cell service to log back in
  • Sync fails to download configuration file
  • App loses messages
  • App shows 'Invalid Thread'
  • Screen freezes up
  • Page back arrow and menu dots unresponsive
  • App crashes on launch
  • App scans for device without finding it
  • App only works with Bluetooth SPOT X
  • App does not organize texts in order by time
  • Error messages
  • Sync issues with the device
  • Bluetooth connection lost in forest
  • Device freezes
  • App requires re-downloading to connect on Wi-Fi
  • Device shuts off when connected to iPhone
  • App won't pair with Spot X
  • Device keeps freezing
  • App scans for device even when connected
  • App doesn't recognize Spot X
  • App shows 'scanning' only

Requested features

10 requests
  • Improve app interface and usability
  • Add a reset button for the unit on the app
  • Provide crash logs for upload
  • Allow app to function without internet connection
  • Fix screen alignment issues on modern iPhones
Show 5 more
  • Improve Bluetooth connectivity and stability
  • Update the app to be compatible with modern devices
  • Implement a dark mode option
  • Improve message organization and display
  • Add ability to turn off Bluetooth on SPOT X device

Anchor Pro

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • App randomly shuts off
  • Anchor position tracking glitches

Requested features

3 requests
  • Customizable anchor icon/color
  • Integration with marine GPS/chartplotter
  • Ability to adjust alarm parameters remotely

In-app purchases

None

SPOT X Bluetooth

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Anchor Pro

Subscriptions1
  • Anchor Premium7 Days trial$6.991 Year

Questions

Is SPOT X Bluetooth free?
SPOT X Bluetooth is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Anchor Pro free?
Anchor Pro is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, SPOT X Bluetooth or Anchor Pro?
Anchor Pro is rated higher. SPOT X Bluetooth averages 2.2 out of 5 from 53 ratings, while Anchor Pro averages 4.8 from 3.6K ratings.
Do SPOT X Bluetooth or Anchor Pro have ads?
Neither SPOT X Bluetooth nor Anchor Pro shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SPOT X Bluetooth or Anchor Pro?
SPOT X Bluetooth ships an update every 2 months, and Anchor Pro every 2 months. Most recently, SPOT X Bluetooth was updated on October 19, 2026 and Anchor Pro on October 20, 2026.

Other comparisons