Comparison

Ocean Signal vs SmartOcean

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

Head to head
About

Ocean Signal

Access critical information for emergency beacons and live data from Class B AIS devices. Utilize NFC for PLB, EPIRB, and MOB details, including battery status and test results. Configure settings and view live AIS targets via WiFi connection.

Highlights
  • Emergency beacon information access
  • Live Class B AIS data
  • NFC for PLB/EPIRB/MOB details
  • Battery condition and test results
  • Change MOB settings
  • WiFi connection for ATB1 AIS
  • Vessel detail configuration
Features
Read full description

The Ocean Signal App allows easy access to Emergency PLB/EPIRB/MOB information as well as live information from your Class B AIS. NFC (Near Field Communication) allows access to PLB, EPIRB and MOB details where operation time, Battery condition and test results can be easily checked and displayed on a mobile device. You can even change settings for your MOB's like adding a MMSI without turning the product on! The use of NFC ensures that maximum battery capacity can be ensured giving you confidence that a Beacon will give maximum performance when required in an emergency situation. WiFi connection to the Ocean Signal ATB1 gives access to live AIS target data along with status and performance details, as well as test and Ownership details for Distress Beacons. Initial configuration with vessel details for the ATB1 Class B AIS is also carried out via the WiFi connection.

About

SmartOcean

Features
Read full description

Locate and monitor your SMART OCEAN BUOYs in real-time in-app or directly on your navigation plotter. Enjoy increased productivity, saving time and reducing the risk of losing your fishing gear at sea. The SMART OCEAN BUOY Coastal Edition II transmits GPS position over 4G/5G net, is truly solid and comes with a complete software solution including a great app, integration to navigation charts and with multiple useful functions: • Locate and monitor your fishing gear in real-time 24/7 • Receive notifications if the buoy breaches, cuts out or drifts • View buoy directly in Olex navigation charts or in app • Save time and navigate directly to your gear • Swift report of the buoy location to Barentswach • Reduce risk of loss of gear • Easy onboarding and subscription The SMART OCEAN BUOY is a unique quality GPS buoy developed in Norway. A fantastic tool for fishers to locate your fishing gear or asset at sea in all weathers, at all times.

Screenshots

Ocean Signal4 screens
SmartOcean4 screens

Verdict

The call

Ocean Signal and SmartOcean are too close to call on the numbers: across 6 compared parameters — price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Ocean Signal ships an update every 2 months, SmartOcean every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
Ocean Signal versus SmartOcean: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterOcean SignalSmartOcean
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews40.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 6 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.0 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size116 MB99 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperOcean Signal LimitedSmart Ocean AS

In-app purchases

None

Ocean Signal

No in-app purchases

None

SmartOcean

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Ocean Signal free?
Ocean Signal is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is SmartOcean free?
SmartOcean is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Ocean Signal or SmartOcean have ads?
Neither Ocean Signal nor SmartOcean shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Ocean Signal or SmartOcean?
Ocean Signal ships an update every 2 months, and SmartOcean every 6 weeks. Most recently, Ocean Signal was updated on October 25, 2026 and SmartOcean on October 29, 2026.

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