Comparison

Anchor Pro vs AIS Explorer

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

Head to head
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.

About

AIS Explorer

Track ships and yachts globally in real-time with advanced satellite and terrestrial AIS receivers. Offers vessel search, favorites, port of call details, and integrated weather forecasts with routing for ETAs. Provides comprehensive satellite AIS data.

Highlights
  • Real-time Satellite AIS
  • Real-time Terrestrial AIS
  • Search Vessels
  • Save To Favourites
  • Last Port of Call
  • Advanced Weather Forecasts
  • Weather Routing - ETA
Features
Read full description

AIS Explorer displays real-time positions and movement of Ships and Yachts anywhere in the world, using the most advanced satellite and terrestrial receivers. The best pricing for the most comprehensive Satellite AIS available. Try it Now! - Search Vessels - Save To Favourites - Real-Time Satellite AIS - Real-Time Terrestrial AIS - Vessel Types - Last Port of Call - Advanced Weather Forecasts From PredictWind - Weather Routing - ETA Terms & Conditions: https://www.aisexplorerapp.com/en/terms-and-conditions Privacy Policy: https://www.aisexplorerapp.com/en/privacy-policy

Screenshots

Anchor Pro4 screens
AIS Explorer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Anchor Pro at none against AIS Explorer's shown. Anchor Pro also leads on ratings volume (3.5K vs 3). AIS Explorer's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.8) and update cadence (every 4 weeks vs every 2 months). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model 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 and AIS Explorer sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $49.00 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

AIS Explorer holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Anchor Pro has 3.5K ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Anchor Pro ships an update every 2 months, AIS Explorer every 4 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Anchor Pro versus AIS Explorer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAnchor ProAIS Explorer
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (3.5K ratings)5.0 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews78.9% of reviews—
Number of ratings3.5K — better3
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 4 weeks — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS17.215.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size23 MB46 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperIdeaBoys GmbHPredictWind Limited

Customer experience

Anchor Pro

All ratings3,496 ratings
Positive96.5%
Neutral1.7%
Negative1.7%
Written reviews175 reviews
Positive78.9%
Neutral2.9%
Negative18.3%

AIS Explorer

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

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

AIS Explorer

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Anchor Pro

Subscriptions1
  • Anchor Premium7 Days trial$6.991 Year
3 purchases

AIS Explorer

Subscriptions3
  • AIS Pro monthly$49.001 Month
  • AIS Pro 3 monthly14 Days trial$99.003 Months
  • AIS Pro Annual$249.001 Year

Questions

Is Anchor Pro free?
Anchor Pro is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is AIS Explorer free?
AIS Explorer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Anchor Pro or AIS Explorer?
AIS Explorer is rated higher. Anchor Pro averages 4.8 out of 5 from 3.5K ratings, while AIS Explorer averages 5.0 from 3 ratings.
Do Anchor Pro or AIS Explorer have ads?
AIS Explorer shows ads; Anchor Pro does not.
Which is updated more often, Anchor Pro or AIS Explorer?
Anchor Pro ships an update every 2 months, and AIS Explorer every 4 weeks. Most recently, Anchor Pro was updated on September 23, 2026 and AIS Explorer on September 10, 2026.

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