Cortex Onboard vs Raymarine
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Cortex Onboard
This app allows you to configure and update your marine electronics from your mobile device. Monitor vessel data, receive alerts, and manage features like Anchor Watch from anywhere on board.
- Configure and update Cortex devices
- View AIS information and alerts
- Manage Anchor Watch
- Monitor vessel sensors
- Connect NMEA 2000 instruments
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Cortex Onboard is free with your Cortex. Use it to configure your Cortex Hub and download updates to your Cortex devices with new features and improvements. You can also use Cortex Onboard to receive and manage alerts, view AIS information and instrument data anywhere on board your boat. View out-of-the-box sensors or NMEA 2000 networked instruments. - Setup is easy and free. - Use Cortex Onboard to configure and update your Cortex devices easily. - View AIS information and receive alerts on board direct to your device. - Manage Anchor Watch from the palm of your hand anywhere on board. - Use the Cortex Hub’s built-in sensors for battery level, barometric pressure and boat position. - Connect your Cortex Hub to NMEA 2000, or an external sensor, to add monitoring for wind, depth, bilge high water, temperature, shore power or security. - The Cortex Hub supports up to 10 WiFi devices (includes Handsets).
Raymarine
This app connects to Raymarine marine electronics, allowing remote control and monitoring of radar, sonar, and chartplotters. Manage charts and stream data from compatible devices for a connected boating experience.
- View and control radar, sonar, and chartplotter
- Remote boat monitoring
- Manage LightHouse Charts
- Stream and control legacy chartplotters
- Connect with YachtSense Link router
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The Raymarine App is the official digital companion for Raymarine chartplotters and connected boating. Use the Raymarine App to view and control radar, sonar, and chartplotter from your Axiom chartplotter display. Connect and monitor your boat remotely with the Raymarine YachtSense Link mobile router and manage your Raymarine LightHouse Charts right from your mobile device. The Raymarine mobile app also allows streaming and control of Raymarine legacy eS and gS Series chartplotter displays. Please note that Element chartplotter displays are not compatible with the screen mirroring feature. - We no longer support Raymarine eS and gS series chart plotters. Please ensure you're using a compatible device for the best experience. Terms of Use (EULA ) : https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Cortex Onboard at 56% against Raymarine's 12%. Cortex Onboard also leads on rating (3.8 vs 1.5) and in-app purchases (none vs 6). On price, ratings volume, 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
Both are free to download. Raymarine sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $19.99 per month. Cortex Onboard asks for nothing beyond the download.
Cortex Onboard holds the better App Store score, 3.8 against 1.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 12 and 17 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 56% of Cortex Onboard's written reviews are positive against 12% of Raymarine's.
Cortex Onboard ships an update every 2 months, Raymarine every 4 months. Both last shipped on October 13, 2026.
| Parameter | Cortex Onboard | Raymarine |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.8 (12 ratings) — better | 1.5 (17 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 55.6% of reviews — better | 12.2% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 12 | 17 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months — better | Every 4 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 376 MB | 195 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Garmin New Zealand Ltd | Raymarine UK Limited |
Customer experience
Cortex Onboard
Raymarine
Bugs and requests
Cortex Onboard
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
Raymarine
Reported bugs
48 issues- Connection lost message
- App closes immediately
- Fails to connect reliably
- Crashing frequently
- Disconnects and drops Wi-Fi
Show 43 moreShow fewer
- Poor connectivity
- Bad resolution
- Laggy performance
- Crashes every time
- Connects but no function
- Needs internet to connect
- Login server issues
- Owner login fails
- Pop-up never goes away
- Screen rotation not working
- Unstable connection
- Grainy display
- Ignores screen rotation
- Constantly loses connection
- Tiny text
- Screen displayed sideways
- Drops often
- Cannot log in on iPhone
- No alerts sent
- SMS alerts not working
- Support nonexistent
- Wi-Fi dropping out
- Cannot set up account
- Chart download issues
- Password incorrect message
- App does not recognize Wi-Fi
- Cannot set up boat
- Password not recognized
- Invalid login message
- Doesn't work with Element series
- Cannot interact with autopilot
- App sees connection but no access
- Frequently locks up
- Slow reaction speed
- Only read rights message
- Password symbol issues
- Account creation difficult
- Fix pinch to zoom
- Cannot create account
- Data not in correct format
- App does not recognize Wi-Fi connection
- Login issues
- Doesn't work with A series plotters
Requested features
22 requests- Improve resolution
- Simplify connection process
- Improve user-friendliness
- Allow screen rotation
- Add dark mode
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- Fix pinch to zoom
- Enable SMS alerts
- Improve alert priority settings
- Integrate with onboard network
- Improve chart download process
- Fix password symbol issues
- Allow chart updates via app
- Add demo mode
- Improve UI/UX
- Add pull-out sidebar
- Remove redundant close bar
- Improve screen real estate usage
- Improve graphics
- Make updates easier
- Support Element series mirroring
- Fix login issues
- Support A series plotters
In-app purchases
Cortex Onboard
No in-app purchases
Raymarine
- One Boat Monthly6 Months trial$19.991 Month
- Two Boats Monthly6 Months trial$37.991 Month
- One Boat Six Monthly6 Months trial$109.996 Months
Show 3 moreShow fewer
- One Boat Yearly6 Months trial$199.991 Year
- Two Boats 6 Months6 Months trial$209.996 Months
- Two Boats 1 Year6 Months trial$399.991 Year
