Comparison

EMSA vs Public Mobile

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

EMSA

Access near real-time information on maritime activities and geospatial data in Canadian waters. Contribute field data, create custom surveys, and view/edit observations with multimedia attachments. Supports online and offline use for enhanced marine safety and environmental protection.

Highlights
  • Create custom form surveys
  • Access web-designed maps
  • View, create, and edit observations
  • Attach photos, audio, and video
  • Locate and share location
  • Record and share tracks
  • Online and offline functionality
Features
Read full description

Canada’s Oceans Protection Plan aims to ensure that Canadian waters and coastlines remain safe and clean for both current and future generations. As part of this initiative, Transport Canada is funding the Enhanced Maritime Situational Awareness (EMSA-CASM) system. The EMSA-CASM system provides Indigenous and coastal communities, as well as other users, with near real-time information on maritime activities in Canadian waters, along with various geospatial data to support marine safety, environmental protection, maritime operations, and local knowledge. The EMSA-CASM Mobile Application allows users to access information and contribute field data to their community through mobile-enabled web applications according to their permissions. The Application offers the following features: • Allowing the creation of form surveys for their custom needs; • Allowing the access of maps designed on the web; • Viewing, creating, and editing observations with multiple attributes; • Attaching photos, audios and video to observations; • Locating themselves and sharing their location; • Recording their tracks and sharing them; • Working both online and offline. The contributions made by users are synchronized with the EMSA-CASM server and can be shared with other stakeholders.

About

Public Mobile

This app offers a 5G wireless subscription service with self-service account management. Activate your service, manage plans, track usage, and earn rewards. Get 24/7 online support for all your mobile needs.

Highlights
  • 5G subscription phone service
  • eSIM activation
  • Self-service account management
  • Plan usage tracking
  • Rewards program
  • Refer-a-friend savings
  • 24/7 online support
Features
Read full description

Welcome to different. Public Mobile is a wireless subscription service that does mobility differently. Sign up for Canada's first 5G subscription phone service in a few simple steps. With the Public Mobile app, you're in control. Activate in minutes with eSIM along with an eSIM compatible device and choose from 5G speed plans and unlimited data on Canada's largest network. Manage your own account with easy, self-service features in the app. Just like your other subscription services set it and forget it. Download the Public Mobile app for free to get started. Subscribe with a few quick clicks in the app: • Select and activate your subscription • Save with a 90 day subscription • Purchase and activate your eSIM or SIM card • You can keep your phone number when you subscribe to Public Mobile. Manage your plan anywhere, anytime with My Account: • Manage your subscription • Track your plan usage • Purchase add-ons Earn points that save you money with our Rewards program: • Check rewards balance • Redeem your points • Refer-a-friend to share savings Skip the wait time with 24/7 online solutions: • Access virtual support at your fingertips • Find answers and ask questions Download the Public Mobile App now. Learn more at publicmobile.ca

Screenshots

EMSA4 screens
Public Mobile4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: EMSA at free against Public Mobile's free with in-app purchases. EMSA also leads on device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 16.1). Public Mobile's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months). On price, review sentiment, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

EMSA ships an update every 2 months, Public Mobile every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
EMSA versus Public Mobile: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterEMSAPublic Mobile
PriceFreeFree
Rating—4.5 (216 ratings) — better
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews — better44.7% of reviews
Number of ratings—216 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS12.0 — better16.1
Further details — not scored
Size216 MB74 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMapGears inc.TELUS Communications Inc.

Customer experience

EMSA

Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

Public Mobile

All ratings216 ratings
Positive88.0%
Neutral1.9%
Negative10.2%
Written reviews340 reviews
Positive44.7%
Neutral6.8%
Negative48.5%

Bugs and requests

EMSA

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Public Mobile

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Activation issues
  • Logging in problems
  • App crashes and freezes
  • Unreliable service
  • Billing and payment issues

Requested features

3 requests
  • Wifi calling
  • Support for iPad/tablets
  • Improve customer service access

In-app purchases

None

EMSA

No in-app purchases

None

Public Mobile

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is EMSA free?
EMSA is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Public Mobile free?
Public Mobile is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do EMSA or Public Mobile have ads?
Neither EMSA nor Public Mobile shows ads.
Which is updated more often, EMSA or Public Mobile?
EMSA ships an update every 2 months, and Public Mobile every 3 weeks. Most recently, EMSA was updated on September 22, 2026 and Public Mobile on October 16, 2026.

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