Comparison

NaAVIC vs Mariner Studio

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

Head to head
About

NaAVIC

This free marine navigation app simplifies boating for recreational users. It offers chart support, route planning, and offline capabilities to explore new locations safely and reliably. Connect with other boaters and share your voyages.

Highlights
  • Electronic chart support (IHO S-57/S-52)
  • Route creation and navigation
  • Offline navigation capability
  • Boat position, speed, and course display
  • Notifications and alarms
  • Recreational hotspot finder
  • Distance measurement
Features
Read full description

NaAVIC is a free Electronic Chart System in your pocket that will make marine navigation easy, safe, reliable, and fun. This free app is for recreational boaters who want to navigate the surrounding waters safely while exploring new and interesting locations to fish, dive, eat etc. The app offers a range of features to make marine navigation easier and reliable that are delivered through a clear and intuitive interface designed specifically for mobile devices and tablets. By utilizing a cloud-based approach with data streaming, the NaAVIC ECS enables all members of an expedition to more actively engage in the voyage as well as to share that voyage with fellow ‘marine friends’, hence building a community of like-minded users. Features: - Supports IHO S-57 charts and S-52 presentation - Comprehensive route creation and navigation - Offline navigation - Displays boat position, speed, and course - Notifications and alarms - Find recreational hotspots - Measure distances - Stream additional data layers over the base map - Point of Interest Quick Start Guide: https://naavic.net/NaAVICQuickStarGuide.pdf

About

Mariner Studio

Plan safe and efficient voyages with real-time marine data, interactive maps, and comprehensive weather forecasts. Study for FCC and USCG exams with extensive question banks and practice modes. Features smart route planning, tidal predictions, and navigation aid information.

Highlights
  • Interactive marine maps with live data
  • Intelligent route and voyage planning
  • Comprehensive marine weather forecasts
  • FCC & USCG exam preparation
  • Tidal height and current predictions
  • Navigation aid and marine facility database
  • Seamless data sync across devices
Features
Read full description

MARITIME VOYAGE PLANNING & NAVIGATION DATA Mariner Studio brings together real-time marine data, interactive maps, intelligent route planning, and comprehensive weather forecasts—everything you need to plan safe, efficient voyages on the water. FCC & COAST GUARD EXAM PREP Study for your FCC Commercial Radio license and USCG Coast Guard exams right inside the app: • 2,257+ real FCC exam questions across all 6 elements • Practice mode with hints, timed Exam mode, and Review mode • Track progress with scores, pass rates, and per-question mastery • Flag questions and review incorrect answers with detailed explanations • 20,000+ USCG Coast Guard exam questions across 80+ categories • Covers Deck, Engine, Inland, and Navigation exam topics INTERACTIVE MARITIME MAPS Stop juggling multiple apps and websites. View tidal stations, current predictions, navigation aids, weather conditions, and marine facilities all on one interactive map with live data overlays. Tap any point of interest to see detailed information, current conditions, and forecasts. SMART ROUTE PLANNING & VOYAGE PLANNING • Create custom GPS routes with waypoints • Import and export GPX files to share with other apps • View weather forecasts along your entire route • See tidal currents for optimal timing • Plan multi-leg voyages with crew management • Save and organize your favorite routes • Access marina and dock information along your path WEATHER ROUTING Make informed decisions with detailed marine weather data: • Hourly weather forecasts for any location • Wind speed and direction predictions • Wave height and visibility conditions • Temperature and precipitation data • Save favorite weather locations • Local weather for your current position NWS TEXT FORECASTS Long press anywhere on the map to get official National Weather Service text forecasts: • Detailed narrative forecasts from NOAA/NWS • Multi-day forecast periods with conditions • Temperature, wind, and weather details • Available for all US locations TIDAL HEIGHT & CURRENT PREDICTIONS Essential data for safe navigation: • Comprehensive tidal height predictions • Tidal current forecasts with direction and strength • Historical tide data • Current predictions shown directly on the map • Favorite tidal stations for quick access • Daily high/low tide times NAVIGATION UNITS & MARINE FACILITIES Discover marinas, docks, aids to navigation, and waterfront facilities: • Complete database of navigation aids • Marina and harbor information • Dock and facility locations • Add photos and notes to locations • Mark favorites for easy return visits • Local search to find nearby facilities ICLOUD FAVORITES SYNC • Your favorite tide stations, currents, buoys, weather spots, and navigation units sync across iPhone and iPad via iCloud • Automatic — no account setup or manual backup needed PROFESSIONAL TOOLS FOR EVERYONE Whether you're a commercial mariner, charter captain, fishing guide, or recreational boater, Mariner Studio provides the real-time data and planning tools you need. No more switching between multiple apps—everything is integrated in one place. Perfect for: • Voyage planning and preparation • Real-time condition monitoring • Route optimization with weather and tides • Finding marinas and facilities • Commercial fishing operations • Charter and tour operations • Recreational cruising and sailing EXPLORE FIRST, SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE Try Mariner Studio with daily access to all features — no subscription required to get started. When you're ready for unlimited access: • Monthly: $4.99/month • Annual: $34.99/year (save 42%) — 7-day free trial • Unlimited access to all features with no daily limits • Auto-renews unless cancelled • Cancel anytime through App Store settings Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

NaAVIC4 screens
Mariner Studio4 screens

Verdict

The call

NaAVIC and Mariner Studio both sit at 5.0 stars, but that hides the real split: 100% of Mariner Studio's written reviews are positive against 33% of NaAVIC's. Mariner Studio also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 6 months) and ratings volume (3 vs 1). NaAVIC's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 18.4). On price, rating, 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. Mariner Studio sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. NaAVIC asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for NaAVIC against 5.0 for Mariner Studio. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 3 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 33% of NaAVIC's written reviews are positive against 100% of Mariner Studio's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

NaAVIC ships an update every 6 months, Mariner Studio every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
NaAVIC versus Mariner Studio: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNaAVICMariner Studio
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings)5.0 (3 ratings)
Positive reviews33.3% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings13 — better
Update frequencyEvery 6 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS12.0 — better18.4
Further details — not scored
Size20 MB278 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperIICOsprey Applications LLC

Customer experience

NaAVIC

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive33.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative66.7%

Mariner Studio

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

NaAVIC

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

Mariner Studio

Subscriptions3
  • Mariner Pro Monthly7 Days trial$2.991 Month
  • Mariner Studio Pro Monthly$4.991 Month
  • Mariner Studio Pro Annual$34.991 Year

Questions

Is NaAVIC free?
NaAVIC is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Mariner Studio free?
Mariner Studio is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, NaAVIC or Mariner Studio?
NaAVIC and Mariner Studio are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1 and 3 ratings respectively.
Do NaAVIC or Mariner Studio have ads?
Neither NaAVIC nor Mariner Studio shows ads.
Which is updated more often, NaAVIC or Mariner Studio?
NaAVIC ships an update every 6 months, and Mariner Studio every 2 weeks. Most recently, NaAVIC was updated on October 1, 2026 and Mariner Studio on October 14, 2026.

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