# SailboatData vs AIS Explorer

The clearest difference is ads: SailboatData at none against AIS Explorer's shown. SailboatData also leads on ratings volume (284 vs 3). AIS Explorer's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.8). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. SailboatData sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month and AIS Explorer sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $49.00 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

AIS Explorer holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SailboatData has 284 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 4 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 20, 2026 and September 10, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | SailboatData | AIS Explorer |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.8 (284 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sailboatdata/id1545197438/reviews) | **[5.0 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ais-explorer/id1670774413/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **284** | 3 |
| Positive reviews | 88.9% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 4 weeks | Every 4 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 20 MB | 46 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.5** | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [VMG Media, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1545197440) | [PredictWind Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/477048590) |

## What reviewers say

### SailboatData

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sailboatdata/id1545197438)

Access a comprehensive database of production sailboat specifications offline. Compare models, search by detailed criteria, and save favorites with personal remarks. Ideal for buyers and marine professionals alike.

**Highlights:** Offline sailboat database access, Side-by-side model comparison, Search by detailed specifications, Save favorite sailboats and designers, Add personal remarks to models, Sync favorites and remarks via iCloud

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1 Monthly Access | $0.99 | per month |
| 3 Monthly Access | $1.99 | per 3 months |
| 6 Monthly Access | $2.99 | per 6 months |
| 12 Monthly Access | $3.99 | per year |


### AIS Explorer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ais-explorer/id1670774413)

Track ships and yachts globally in real-time with advanced satellite and terrestrial AIS receivers. Offers vessel search, favorites, port of call details, and integrated weather forecasts with routing for ETAs. Provides comprehensive satellite AIS data.

**Highlights:** Real-time Satellite AIS, Real-time Terrestrial AIS, Search Vessels, Save To Favourites, Last Port of Call, Advanced Weather Forecasts, Weather Routing - ETA

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| AIS Pro monthly | $49.00 | per month |
| AIS Pro 3 monthly | $99.00 | per 3 months |
| AIS Pro Annual | $249.00 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SailboatData free?

SailboatData is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is AIS Explorer free?

AIS Explorer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, SailboatData or AIS Explorer?

AIS Explorer is rated higher. SailboatData averages 4.8 out of 5 from 284 ratings, while AIS Explorer averages 5.0 from 3 ratings.

### Do SailboatData or AIS Explorer have ads?

AIS Explorer shows ads; SailboatData does not.

### Which is updated more often, SailboatData or AIS Explorer?

SailboatData ships an update every 4 weeks, and AIS Explorer every 4 weeks. Most recently, SailboatData was updated on September 20, 2026 and AIS Explorer on September 10, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*