Comparison

Radar Plotting vs Apparent Wind Calculator

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

Head to head
About

Radar Plotting

This app offers advanced radar plotting for maritime navigation. It allows users to calculate critical encounter data, plan maneuvers, and analyze complex scenarios with interactive visualizations. Designed for training and decision support, it aids in understanding vessel interactions.

Highlights
  • Kinematic calculations (CPA/TCPA, aspect)
  • True and relative speed estimation
  • Evasive maneuver planning with COLREG guidance
  • Rescue and escape scenario planning
  • Double-target analysis
  • Current and drift estimation
  • Interactive radar canvas with playback
Features
Read full description

Radar Plotting provides advanced radar-plotting capabilities for iPhone and iPad. Compute CPA/TCPA, estimate true motion, plan evasive/rescue/escape manoeuvres, and analyse two-target encounters — all visualised on an interactive radar sheet. Highlights: - Precise kinematic calculations (CPA/TCPA, aspect, true & relative speed) - Evasive manoeuvres with COLREG guidance - Rescue & escape planning, including scenarios with faster vessels - Double-target handling - Current/drift estimation - Interactive canvas with adjustable scales and animated trajectory playback - Import/export via QR code and PDF report generation Safety note: This app is for training and decision support. It does not replace certified navigational equipment or official procedures. Always follow COLREG and local/company rules.

About

Apparent Wind Calculator

Features
Read full description

Apparent Wind Calculator takes the maths out of one of sailing's most important concepts. Feed in your true wind angle, true wind speed, and boat speed — and instantly see your apparent wind angle and speed, visualised as a live vector diagram. Whether passage planning, under sail or just getting your head around why the wind always seems to come from forward when you bear away, this app makes it immediately clear. BOAT POLAR Load a polar table and the app sets your boat speed automatically based on your true wind angle and wind speed. Built-in presets cover small, medium, and large monohulls and catamarans — or enter your own target speeds for a custom polar. With auto-fill enabled, every diagram you see reflects realistic performance numbers for your boat, not a guess. FEATURES • Live vector diagram showing true wind, apparent wind, and boat velocity as scaled arrows — updates in real time as you move the sliders • Monohull and catamaran boat graphics that respond to your apparent wind angle • Boat polar table with presets for monohulls and catamarans, fully editable • Auto-fill boat speed from your polar for realistic results • Point of sail readout — from Close Hauled to Deep Run • Port and starboard tack display • Works entirely offline, no account required WHO IT'S FOR Sailing students learning the theory, racers checking their VMG angles, cruisers planning passages, and coaches explaining wind shifts to crew. The apparent wind is what your sails actually feel. This app helps you understand it.

Screenshots

Radar Plotting3 screens
Apparent Wind Calculator4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Apparent Wind Calculator at $0.99 against Radar Plotting's $7.99. Apparent Wind Calculator also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 5 months). On ads, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement 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

Radar Plotting costs $7.99 and Apparent Wind Calculator $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Radar Plotting ships an update every 5 months, Apparent Wind Calculator every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Radar Plotting versus Apparent Wind Calculator: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRadar PlottingApparent Wind Calculator
Price$7.99$0.99 — better
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaid—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS15.0 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size17 MB25 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGiacomo GabrieleAdam Harvey

In-app purchases

None

Radar Plotting

No in-app purchases

None

Apparent Wind Calculator

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Radar Plotting free?
Radar Plotting costs $7.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Apparent Wind Calculator free?
Apparent Wind Calculator costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do Radar Plotting or Apparent Wind Calculator have ads?
Neither Radar Plotting nor Apparent Wind Calculator shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Radar Plotting or Apparent Wind Calculator?
Radar Plotting ships an update every 5 months, and Apparent Wind Calculator every 2 months. Most recently, Radar Plotting was updated on September 21, 2026 and Apparent Wind Calculator on September 24, 2026.

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