Comparison

Anchor Pro vs BilgeBuddy

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

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.

Highlights
  • 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 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

Anchor Pro4 screens
BilgeBuddy3 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

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.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Anchor Pro versus BilgeBuddy: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAnchor ProBilgeBuddy
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (3.5K ratings)4.9 (14 ratings) — better
Positive reviews78.9% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings3.5K — better14
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 6 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS17.213.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size23 MB36 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperIdeaBoys GmbHBilgeBuddy

Customer experience

Anchor Pro

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

BilgeBuddy

All ratings14 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews9 reviews
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

BilgeBuddy

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Anchor Pro

Subscriptions1
  • Anchor Premium7 Days trial$6.991 Year
None

BilgeBuddy

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Anchor Pro free?
Anchor Pro is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is BilgeBuddy free?
BilgeBuddy is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Anchor Pro or BilgeBuddy?
BilgeBuddy is rated higher. Anchor Pro averages 4.8 out of 5 from 3.5K ratings, while BilgeBuddy averages 4.9 from 14 ratings.
Do Anchor Pro or BilgeBuddy have ads?
Neither Anchor Pro nor BilgeBuddy shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Anchor Pro or BilgeBuddy?
Anchor Pro ships an update every 2 months, and BilgeBuddy every 6 weeks. Most recently, Anchor Pro was updated on September 23, 2026 and BilgeBuddy on August 2, 2026.

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