Comparison

Buoy Zone vs Nautical Cloud

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

Head to head
About

Buoy Zone

This app simplifies yacht racing course setup for sailing clubs and race officers. It allows for real-time course sharing, mark laying guidance with compass directions, and participant tracking on a map. Streamline race management and focus on the competition.

Highlights
  • Real-time course sharing
  • Mark laying guidance
  • Participant tracking on map
  • Compass direction and bearing
  • Distance calculation
  • Course updates
Features
Read full description

Buoy Zone is designed to help sailing clubs, Race Offices and support vessels, lay yacht racing courses. The Race Officer sets a course from the start boat and shares this course with their support boats and other participants. The participants can see the course on a map, get course updates in real-time and all support boats can also been seen on the map. Any boats laying marks can zoom in on the map and see exactly where to lay their marks, or tap on a mark for real-time compass direction, bearing and distance. Take the time and pain out of setting an accurate course, and get on with the awesome racing.

About

Nautical Cloud

This app provides yacht racing crews with real-time event updates, course management, and race declaration features. It ensures participants are informed and in control throughout race days, from local regattas to global championships.

Highlights
  • Instant event notifications
  • Real-time course updates
  • Race declarations
  • Universal organizer compatibility
  • Event schedule management
Features
Read full description

Streamline your yacht racing experience with the Nautical Cloud Racing app! Designed for crew on boats racing in events powered by Nautical Cloud, this app keeps you informed and in control throughout the race day. Key Features: • Event Updates: Receive instant notifications for Notices of Race, Sailing Instructions, and any updates or changes to the event schedule. • Course Management: Stay on course with real-time updates about course changes and start time adjustments. • Race Declarations: Easily declare before and after races where required by event organisers. • Universal Compatibility: Works seamlessly with all organisers using the Nautical Cloud platform. Whether you're racing in a local regatta or a global championship, Nautical Cloud Racing ensures you're always prepared, informed, and ready to perform. Download today and take the stress out of race management!

Screenshots

Buoy Zone4 screens
Nautical Cloud4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Nautical Cloud at 100% against Buoy Zone's 25%. Nautical Cloud also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 2). Buoy Zone's advantage is iOS requirement (15.6 vs 17.0). On price, update cadence, 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. Buoy Zone sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $8.49 per month. Nautical Cloud asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 18, 2026 and August 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Buoy Zone versus Nautical Cloud: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBuoy ZoneNautical Cloud
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.0 (3 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews25.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings3 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.6 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size86 MB20 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperOCEAN LABS LIMITEDNautical Cloud

Customer experience

Buoy Zone

All ratings3 ratings
Positive33.3%
Neutral33.3%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews8 reviews
Positive25.0%
Neutral25.0%
Negative50.0%

Nautical Cloud

Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Buoy Zone

Subscriptions2
  • Race Officer Monthly$8.491 Month
  • Race Officer Annual$43.991 Year
None

Nautical Cloud

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Buoy Zone free?
Buoy Zone is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Nautical Cloud free?
Nautical Cloud is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Buoy Zone or Nautical Cloud have ads?
Neither Buoy Zone nor Nautical Cloud shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Buoy Zone or Nautical Cloud?
Buoy Zone ships an update every 3 weeks, and Nautical Cloud every 3 weeks. Most recently, Buoy Zone was updated on September 18, 2026 and Nautical Cloud on August 1, 2026.

Other comparisons