Comparison

Simrad vs Riptide GPS

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

Head to head
About

Simrad

This app provides boaters with detailed nautical charts, weather forecasts, and route planning tools. It offers GPS navigation, track recording, and points of interest, with premium features like offline maps and advanced charting available through subscription.

Highlights
  • Detailed nautical charts
  • Marine weather forecasts
  • Route planning with Autorouting™
  • GPS and track recording
  • Points of Interest database
  • Offline map downloads (Premium)
  • AIS & C-MAP Traffic (Premium)
Features
Read full description

With detailed charting powered by C-MAP®, weather and marine traffic information, route planning and GPS, it is the perfect aid to navigation for boaters, and is a must-have for water-lovers with Simrad on-board. The Simrad App Includes: - Activation and Registration of your Simrad Chartplotter - FREE C-MAP Chart Viewer - Autorouting™ – find the best route to your favourite places - Personal Waypoints - Track Recording - Thousands of pre-loaded Points of Interest, including relevant information about marinas, harbours, beaches, shops and much more - Marine Weather Forecast - Weather Along the Route - Weather Overlay - Chart Personalisation - Import & Export GPX Files – share your Routes, Tracks or Waypoints with friends - Measure Distance Tool Upgrade to Premium to unlock additional features, including: - Full GPS Functionality - Offline Map Downloads - REVEAL Shaded Relief - High-Resolution Bathymetry - Custom Depth Shading - AIS & C-MAP Traffic Try before you buy… Experience the Simrad App Premium for yourself, with a free 14-day trial (3-day trial in Denmark and Sweden). The Simrad App updates on a continuous basis to make sure you get the best experience and to bring you the most up-to-date maps and functionalities. Compatible with: GO5 XSE; GO7 XSR; GO9 XSE; GO12 XSE NSS Evo3; NSS Evo3S; NSX Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal. Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase. Links to Your Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that publication, where applicable. Privacy policy: https://appchart.simrad-yachting.com/privacy.html Terms of service: https://appchart.simrad-yachting.com/tos.html

About

Riptide GPS

Features
Read full description

RIPTIDE GPS is a boating navigation app built for coastal skippers, day sailors, and weekend adventurers. Core GPS safety tools are free — no trial tricks, no paywall on essentials. FREE — INCLUDED NOW • Live GPS navigation with speed, heading & distance • Return to Launch — find your way back to where you started • Trip tracking — record where you’ve been • Safety screen — quick access to key safety info at sea • Marine conditions — tides & weather when you need them • Voice guidance for Return to Launch • 1 boat profile, last 10 trips & 3 saved spots PREMIUM — MORE FOR SERIOUS DAYS AFLOAT • Coastal navigation & saved-spot routing • Anchor alarm — background alerts if you drift off the hook • Unlimited trips, saved spots & photos • Multiple boats & maintenance log • Offline maps & GPX export • Full voice guidance on all navigation BUILT FOR REAL BOATING • Dark, readable interface — easy to see on deck, day or night • Works offline for GPS, trips & safety when signal is patchy • Optional account to sync your data and manage your profile RIPTIDE GPS is designed as a practical companion on the water — not a replacement for official charts, qualified navigation, or good seamanship. Always follow local regulations and use your own judgement at sea. Premium subscriptions are managed on the RIPTIDE GPS website (riptide.lynaria.com). The iOS app does not process in-app purchases. Privacy: riptide.lynaria.com/#/privacy Support: riptide.lynaria.com/#/support Terms of Use (EULA): https://riptide.lynaria.com/#/terms Privacy Policy: https://riptide.lynaria.com/#/privacy

Screenshots

Simrad4 screens
Riptide GPS4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is chart position: Simrad at #90 against Riptide GPS's unranked. On price, ads, in-app purchases 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. Simrad sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $14.99 per year and Riptide GPS sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Scorecard1 real difference · 10 level
Simrad versus Riptide GPS: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSimradRiptide GPS
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (2.7K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews48.4% of reviews—
Number of ratings2.7K — better—
Update frequencyMonthly—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
Best chart rank#90 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.115.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size168 MB24 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNavico Norway ASMY WEBSITE BUILDER LTD

Bugs and requests

Simrad

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • App crashes on launch
  • Sync issues with Simrad chartplotters
  • Offline maps not working as expected
  • Coordinates not recognized properly
  • Routing issues and inaccurate routes

Requested features

5 requests
  • Import/export of routes and waypoints
  • More customization options
  • Better weather and tide data integration
  • Improved auto-routing capabilities
  • Support for more device types

Riptide GPS

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

9 purchases

Simrad

Subscriptions9
  • Annual Subscription14 Days trial$14.991 Year
  • Annual subscription14 Days trial$14.991 Year
  • Region14 Days trial2 variants$18.491 Year
Show 6 more
  • Region14 Days trial$22.991 Year
  • North America14 Days trial$22.991 Year
  • Annual Subscription14 Days trial$29.991 Year
  • Caribbean14 Days trial$31.991 Year
  • Annual Subscription14 Days trial$49.991 Year
  • Atlantic Ocean14 Days trial$54.991 Year
2 purchases

Riptide GPS

Subscriptions2
  • Premium Monthly$2.991 Month
  • Premium Yearly$24.991 Year

Questions

Is Simrad free?
Simrad is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Riptide GPS free?
Riptide GPS is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Simrad or Riptide GPS have ads?
Neither Simrad nor Riptide GPS shows ads.

Other comparisons