SmartCraft Manager vs BilgeBuddy
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
SmartCraft Manager
This app allows authorized Mercury dealers and boat builders to remotely configure SmartCraft-powered vessels. It offers an intuitive dashboard for setup, cloud-integrated IoT features, and over-the-air updates, streamlining the configuration process.
- Remote vessel configuration
- Intuitive dashboard
- Cloud-integrated IoT features
- Over-the-air firmware updates
- Repeatable configurations
- CAN H functionality control
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The Mercury Marine SmartCraft Manager is a one-stop solution available exclusively for authorized Mercury dealers and boat builders to configure SmartCraft-powered vessels using a mobile device. The app unlocks many industry-first features, including … - An intuitive dashboard that helps set up vessels remotely without the need for interacting with multi-function displays on the vessels, saving setup time and resources for boat builders, dealers and consumers - Industry-leading cloud-integrated IoT-type features along with easy over-the-air firmware and software updates - Easily repeatable configurations that save time and resources while configuring vessels - Ability to turn off CAN H functionality through the app on vessels equipped with SmartCraft Connect SmartCraft Manager serves as a central connection point to devices that link into the growing Mercury SmartCraft ecosystem.
BilgeBuddy
This app allows you to remotely monitor your boat's bilge system, battery health, and location. Receive instant notifications for potential issues like flooding, system malfunctions, or unexpected movement, ensuring peace of mind and proactive problem-solving.
- Remote bilge system monitoring
- Flooding detection and sinking prevention
- Battery system health monitoring
- Break-away alerts and location services
- Impact detection
- Easy installation with common pumps
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Remotely Monitor Your Boat - Connect your boat with the BilgeBuddy device, making it a smart boat that can be monitored remotely on the app. - Have peace-of-mind in the palm of your hand, where ever you are. - Notifications let you fix problems before they arise. Easy Installation - BilgeBuddy pairs with all common 12V bilge pumps & floats. - Our patent pending technology allows for an easy installation with a few simple connections. - Our instructions get most DIYers & all professionals up and running in minutes. All you need are wire strippers and a lighter. We provide the rest. How BilgeBuddy keeps your boat safe: Flooding Detection & Sinking Prevention - Detect moderate & extreme water levels. - Automatically purge high water when auto-float fails. - Analyze frequency & reason for bilge cycles. Bilge System Health Monitoring - Ensure functioning bilge pump. - Proactive pump electronic health monitoring. - Detect Auto-float malfunction. - Alert of helm switch accidentally left on. Battery System Health Monitoring - Remotely check if enough voltage to start engines. - Battery discharge & charging trends. - Detect alternator & shore power system malfunction. Break-away Alerts & Location Services - Alert when your boat leaves its home base unexpectedly. - Remotely monitor when others use your boat. - Cloud backup of trips and usage. - Back-up navigation system. Impact Detection & Damage Prevention - Detect impacts with dock. - Detect major collisions. Freeze Damage Prevention & Storm Monitoring - Prevent damage during quick freezes. - Storm warnings & monitoring. (coming soon)
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: BilgeBuddy at 100% against SmartCraft Manager's 0%. BilgeBuddy also leads on rating (4.9 vs 1.2) and update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 3 months). On price, ratings volume, 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
BilgeBuddy holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 1.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 24 and 14 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 0% of SmartCraft Manager's written reviews are positive against 100% of BilgeBuddy's.
SmartCraft Manager ships an update every 3 months, BilgeBuddy every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 12, 2026 and August 2, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | SmartCraft Manager | BilgeBuddy |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 1.2 (24 ratings) | 4.9 (14 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 24 — better | 14 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Every 6 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 12.2 — better | 13.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 50 MB | 36 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Mercury Marine LLC | BilgeBuddy |
Customer experience
SmartCraft Manager
BilgeBuddy
In-app purchases
SmartCraft Manager
No in-app purchases
BilgeBuddy
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is SmartCraft Manager free?
Is BilgeBuddy free?
Which has better reviews, SmartCraft Manager or BilgeBuddy?
Do SmartCraft Manager or BilgeBuddy have ads?
Which is updated more often, SmartCraft Manager or BilgeBuddy?
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