iTAK vs NMEA Send Location
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
iTAK
This app provides real-time collaborative mapping and team tracking. Share locations, sensor data, videos, and chat with your team. Supports online and offline mapping with various data formats.
- Real-time team tracking
- Collaborative mapping
- Online and offline mapping
- KML/KMZ/GeoPDF overlay import
- Chat and file sharing
- Live video streaming
- Navigation tools
Read full descriptionHide full description
**Compatible with ALL TAK ecosystem (TAK server, WinTAK, ATAK, WebTAK)** The Team Awareness Kit (TAK) (known as the Tactical Assault Kit in the Department of Defense) application: iTAK is a collaborative geospatial application to see your teams’ locations, sensor information, videos, chat, and more in real-time. iTAK supports Department of Defense (DoD) and commercial sector standards for icons, sensor information, and communication. Data can be pre-loaded into iTAK or downloaded from the network (via TAK Server) when available. iTAK capabilities include: • Online and offline mapping (most standard formats), download the maps right in the app • Blue force / team tracking (BFT) • Collaborative mapping, including points, drawings, locations of interest • Import and display of KML, KMZ, GeoPDF overlays • Location marking, sharing, with photo tagging • Chat, file sharing, photo sharing • Live video streaming with the ability to share video links • Spotted map to mark and share multiple locations across your map • Digital pointer to rapidly mark and share items on the map with your team • Navigation-walking/hiking, driving, also useful flying and air-ground coordination • Center on self or other objects (e.g. another person in the network) • Range, bearing measurement tools • Team Emergency Beacons • Customizable toolbar • 3D perspective • All data is secured and fully compatibility with the TAK ecosystem (ATAK, TAK Server, WinTAK) • Useful for law enforcement, first responders, hunting, fishing, ornithology, wildlife site survey System Requirements Operating System: iOS version 17 and later.
NMEA Send Location
Read full descriptionHide full description
This application sends GPS coordinates, current speed, course over ground and heading via WiFi, Bluetooth, USB using NMEA 0183 protocol. It can replace a USB GPS receiver. Features: - Supports NMEA 0183 messages: GPGGA, GPRMC, GPVTG, GPHDM/GPHDT; - Sends messages based on a timer; - Reconnects after a lost connection; - Shows the last sent coordinates. NMEASendLocation reads geo data from your iPhone/iPad, forms NMEA 0183 messages based on this data and transmits them to navigation software (OpenCPN, SignalK server, etc.) running on a computer, using Bluetooth, WiFi or USB. Data is transmitted over the network via UDP.
Screenshots
Verdict
iTAK and NMEA Send Location are too close to call on the numbers: across 6 compared parameters — price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.
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.
iTAK ships an update every 3 weeks, NMEA Send Location monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | iTAK | NMEA Send Location |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.5 (156 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 40.6% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 156 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks — better | Monthly |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | 16.6 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 278 MB | 2 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | United States Department of the Army, TAK Product Center | Alexey Matveev |
Bugs and requests
iTAK
Reported bugs
23 issues- App crashes when exporting data packages
- App crashes when uploading files with local data
- App crashes when importing overlays
- App crashes when changing map types
- App crashes when creating missions
Show 18 moreShow fewer
- App freezes when handling large numbers of objects (15+)
- Indoor mapping causes app shutdown
- Markers disappear on app reopening
- Markers don't sync deletion status with ATAK users
- HTTP video stream links don't work
- Mesh network mode not functioning properly
- Settings reset to defaults on restart
- Toolbar disappears randomly
- Notification badges don't clear properly
- Unable to rename points of interest
- Duplicate server entries appear
- Unexpected shutdowns and crashes
- Connection failures to TAK servers
- Message notifications not appearing on iPhone
- App won't launch after deletion/reinstallation
- Data Sync broken in version 2.10.1
- Overlay import causes instant crash
- Markers become invisible with ArcGIS updates
Requested features
23 requests- Meshtastic and LoRa device support
- GRG (Grid Reference Graphic) functionality
- Mesh network integration (GoTenna, Beartooth)
- Plugin support system
- Google Maps or alternative map providers
Show 18 moreShow fewer
- Offline map download capability
- Angular measurement unit conversion (degrees to mil)
- Nautical miles unit of measurement
- Video stream support (HTTP/RTSP)
- CASEVAC calling functionality
- Polar plot tool
- Data package import from Android ATAK
- Bluetooth radio integration
- Apple Watch companion app
- Ability to edit and delete toolbar items
- True/Magnetic bearing distinction
- Point dragging and repositioning
- Contact/team management system
- Mission creation and editing
- Windows TAK Server version
- Improved notification system
- Chinese language support
- Better documentation and tutorials
NMEA Send Location
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
iTAK
No in-app purchases
NMEA Send Location
No in-app purchases









