Anchor Pro vs BilgeBuddy
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
Read full descriptionHide 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.
BilgeBuddy
This app allows you to remotely monitor your boat's bilge system, battery health, and location. Receive instant notifications for potential issues like flooding, system malfunctions, or unexpected movement, ensuring peace of mind and proactive problem-solving.
- Remote bilge system monitoring
- Flooding detection and sinking prevention
- Battery system health monitoring
- Break-away alerts and location services
- Impact detection
- Easy installation with common pumps
Read full descriptionHide full description
Remotely Monitor Your Boat - Connect your boat with the BilgeBuddy device, making it a smart boat that can be monitored remotely on the app. - Have peace-of-mind in the palm of your hand, where ever you are. - Notifications let you fix problems before they arise. Easy Installation - BilgeBuddy pairs with all common 12V bilge pumps & floats. - Our patent pending technology allows for an easy installation with a few simple connections. - Our instructions get most DIYers & all professionals up and running in minutes. All you need are wire strippers and a lighter. We provide the rest. How BilgeBuddy keeps your boat safe: Flooding Detection & Sinking Prevention - Detect moderate & extreme water levels. - Automatically purge high water when auto-float fails. - Analyze frequency & reason for bilge cycles. Bilge System Health Monitoring - Ensure functioning bilge pump. - Proactive pump electronic health monitoring. - Detect Auto-float malfunction. - Alert of helm switch accidentally left on. Battery System Health Monitoring - Remotely check if enough voltage to start engines. - Battery discharge & charging trends. - Detect alternator & shore power system malfunction. Break-away Alerts & Location Services - Alert when your boat leaves its home base unexpectedly. - Remotely monitor when others use your boat. - Cloud backup of trips and usage. - Back-up navigation system. Impact Detection & Damage Prevention - Detect impacts with dock. - Detect major collisions. Freeze Damage Prevention & Storm Monitoring - Prevent damage during quick freezes. - Storm warnings & monitoring. (coming soon)
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: BilgeBuddy at none against Anchor Pro's 1. BilgeBuddy also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 79%) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.2). Anchor Pro's advantage is ratings volume (3.5K vs 14). On price, rating, 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. Anchor Pro sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $6.99 per year. BilgeBuddy asks for nothing beyond the download.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Anchor Pro against 4.9 for BilgeBuddy. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Anchor Pro has 3.5K ratings behind it against 14, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 79% of Anchor Pro's written reviews are positive against 100% of BilgeBuddy's.
Anchor Pro ships an update every 2 months, BilgeBuddy every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and August 2, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Anchor Pro | BilgeBuddy |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (3.5K ratings) | 4.9 (14 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 78.9% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 3.5K — better | 14 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 6 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 17.2 | 13.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 23 MB | 36 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | IdeaBoys GmbH | BilgeBuddy |
Customer experience
Anchor Pro
BilgeBuddy
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
BilgeBuddy
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Anchor Pro
- Anchor Premium7 Days trial$6.991 Year
BilgeBuddy
No in-app purchases








