AnchorChainCalculator vs Gobius
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
AnchorChainCalculator
Calculate the optimal amount of anchor chain or rope for secure anchoring based on vessel characteristics and sea conditions. Provides detailed load calculations and accounts for dynamic effects like swell and gusts. Supports both metric and imperial units, with options for chain-only or mixed rope/chain setups.
- Physics-based anchoring calculations
- Customizable vessel and sea conditions
- Chain-only or mixed rope/chain support
- Load and swell absorption analysis
- Metric and imperial unit support
- Multiple vessel configuration storage
- Basic and Expert modes
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Rather than following generic and unspecific advice how much chain or rope to pay out when at anchor, use this app to calculate the right amount of chain or rope needed for the anchor to have the best possible grip – safety tailored for your vessel! This app has been developed by a sailor living at anchor. It is based on physics rather than rules. Only too often does anchoring advice boil down to: Use a scope (i.e. ratio of chain length to water depth) of 3:1 in calm weather, and increase this to 5:1 or 7:1 as the wind picks up. This advice is independent of your vessel’s characteristics, independent of water depth, swell, or even the wind strength. So, is a scope of 7:1 still good enough for the storm tonight? Is the snubber or bridle you are using good enough to keep you safe at anchor? The Anchor Chain Calculator allows you to calculate the minimally required anchor chain and/or rope length based on a number of vessel characteristics and sea / weather conditions. It tells you what load the anchor will have to bear, and when you are using a snubber, bridle or rope, how much of the swell it absorbs, and how much it reduces the anchor load. When anchoring in shallow water it is particularly important to include these dynamic and elastic effects caused by strong swell and gusts. The app can work with a chain-only scenario as well as with an arbitrary mix of rope and chain. So, despite its name, it can also deal with a rope without any chain at all. ;) You can also restrict the chain or rope length, if you have to - perhaps because of nearby neighbours or obstacles - and get information how this restriction affects the anchor load and the angle at which the chain pulls at the anchor. The app has two modes of working: Basic Mode and Expert Mode. With Basic Mode you will be able to use the app right away, whilst Expert Mode allows you to enter more technical details of your boat if you know them. You can use either metric units (metres, daN / kp, and mm for chain thickness) or imperial units (feet, lbs, and inch for chain thickness). You can store different vessel configurations by name and so can easily switch, e.g., between different snubber, bridle, rope or vessel setups (e.g., a snubber for the lunch stop, another snubber for normal usage, and a third longer and even more elastic snubber for really bad weather). These setups can be locked to prevent accidental overwriting. This app is also great for playing through all kinds of "what if?” scenarios. It will help you to plan ahead and be better prepared. The perfect addition to an anchor alarm / anchor watch for safer anchoring!
Gobius
This application works with specific sensors to monitor fluid levels in tanks, displaying volume in percentages and liters. It provides installation guides, tank calculators for various shapes, and visual level indicators.
- Fluid level monitoring
- Volume display in % and liters
- Installation guides
- Tank calculator for non-rectangular tanks
- Visual fluid level indicators
- Waterproof sensor compatibility
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This app is designed to be used with the Gobius C and Gobius Pro sensors. The sensor is measuring sleeplessly from empty to full tank for all kinds of fluids. It gives you to volume in % and liters. The sensor is placed direct on top of the tank on plastic and glass fiber tanks. On metal tanks, you need a hole, at least 40 mm. Gobius C is ready to use; everything is in the box. You get the sensor with a 3M tape, a Quick Guide, 3M tissue, a cable to connect to a power source (12-24 V), and to use for external devices, like warning lights/buzzers, control systems, and analog gauges. The Quick Guide gives you a brief overview of installing the sensor. And the sensor is waterproof IP66. In the app you have everything; Installation Guide with instructions for mounting the sensor on the tank, setup/calculation and displaying the fluid level in different colors. The app has also a Tank Calculator for non-rectangular tanks, such as round and triangular tanks. Installation should take no longer than 15 minutes
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: AnchorChainCalculator at 100% against Gobius's 0%. AnchorChainCalculator also leads on rating (5.0 vs 2.3) and iOS requirement (10.0 vs 15.0). Gobius's advantage is price (Free vs $12.99). On ratings volume, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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
Gobius is free to download; AnchorChainCalculator costs $12.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
AnchorChainCalculator holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 2.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 5 and 3 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of AnchorChainCalculator's written reviews are positive against 0% of Gobius's.
AnchorChainCalculator ships an update every 3 weeks, Gobius monthly. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.
| Parameter | AnchorChainCalculator | Gobius |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $12.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 5.0 (5 ratings) — better | 2.3 (3 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better | 0.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 5 — better | 3 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks — better | Monthly |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 10.0 — better | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 12 MB | 34 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | Mathias Wagner | Gobius Sensor Technology AB |
Customer experience
AnchorChainCalculator
Gobius
In-app purchases
AnchorChainCalculator
No in-app purchases
Gobius
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is AnchorChainCalculator free?
Is Gobius free?
Which has better reviews, AnchorChainCalculator or Gobius?
Do AnchorChainCalculator or Gobius have ads?
Which is updated more often, AnchorChainCalculator or Gobius?
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