Sailing Master M vs Pcnautic Autopilot
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Sailing Master M
This app provides comprehensive sailing data and performance optimization on various Apple devices. It displays over 35 sailing measurements from boat instruments, polars tables, and nautical charts, offering detailed wind, route, and map views. Connectivity is established through NMEA 0183 Wi-Fi gateways.
- Configurable data displays
- 35+ sailing measurements
- Wind, route, and map displays
- NMEA 0183 Wi-Fi connectivity
- Polars table integration
- Nautical chart overlays
Read full descriptionHide full description
Sailing Master M offers comprehensive sailing data and performance optimization information on iPhones, iPads, iWatches, and ActiveLook smart glasses. The application provides configurable pages and data displays, utilizing over 35 sailing measurements from the boat’s instruments, polars tables, and nautical charts. On phones and pads, the Data and Analog Displays can include minimum and maximum values and time series graphs. The Wind Display provides wind, heading, route, and speed information. The Route Display shows the expected wind conditions on the next legs. The Map Display shows the vessel with direction, tacking and downwind laylines on a nautical chart, or the wind laylines in another location. The connectivity is through NMEA 0813 Wi-Fi gateways such as B&G Vulcan, Zeus, GoFree, Yacht Devices, Signal K, Actisense, and ShipModul. The application has evolved from its initial focus on NMEA data display to encompass a comprehensive suite of features. Consequently, the app’s name has been revised from 'Display0183M' to 'Sailing Master M'. For further information, please refer to the user’s guide available on the app’s website or within the app itself. Terms of use: The app is delivered under the Apple End User License Agreement (EULA, https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/) The following libraries and services are used: - Kitura/BlueSocket, published under the Apache 2.0 license - A modified version of GPX package, published under BSD 3-Clause License and copyrighted by Ioannis Silks - OpenStreetMap licensed under the Open Data Commons Open Database License (ODbL, https://opendatacommons.org/licenses/odbl/) by the OpenStreetMap Foundation Licence, and ©OpenStreetMap contributors. OpenSeaMap, which is licensed under the Open Data Commons (ODbL) license, and ©OpenSeaMap contributors The supported NMEA 0183 sentences are: - BWR: Bearing and distance to waypoint - DBS: Depth below surface - DBT: Depth below transducer. - DPT: depth of water. - CGA: Global Positioning System Fix data - GLL: Geographic position Latitude/Longitude - HDG: Heading magnetic - HDM: Heading magnetic - HDT: Heading true - MWD: undocumented, wind direction, wind speed - MTW: water temperature °C - MWV: Wind speed and angle (A,T) - RMB: XTE, range to destination, bearing to destination, destination closing velocity . - RMC: Speed over ground - RSA: Rudder sensor angle - VHW: Water speed and heading - VLW: Distance travelled through water - VPW: Speed - measured parallel to wind - VTG: Course over ground (T or M), speed over ground - VWR: Wind direction (A), wind speed (A) - WCV: Waypoint closure velocity - XDR: air temperature (°C), water temperature (°C) and barometric pressure (mbar). - XTE: Cross track error The data items from NMEA and polars are: - Waypoint bearing - Waypoint distance - Time to Waypoint - VMG waypoint - Cross track error - Depth - Heading - Heading - Course - Course - Water speed - Speed over ground - Water temperature - Air temperature - Air pressure - Wind speed apparent - Wind angle apparent - Wind speed true - Wind direction - Wind direction - VMG Wind - Latitude, Longitude - Waypoint laititude, longitude - Water Distance after reset - Total water distance - Ground distance after reset - Total ground distance - Velocity made good towards wind - Heel - Rudder - Boat target speed through the water - Boat speed of target speed (%) - Beat VMG boat target speed through the water - Run VMG boat target speed through the water - GPS based trip distance - Leeway
Pcnautic Autopilot
Read full descriptionHide full description
CONTROL YOUR PCNAUTIC AUTOPILOT Control your Pcnautic Autopilot directly from your Apple device. Adjust course settings and manage autopilot configurations with ease. The app includes Apple Watch support with two connection modes: Direct Wi-Fi: Apple Watch connects straight to the Pcnautic Autopilot for fully independent use BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy): Apple Watch communicates via a paired iPhone or iPad, reducing power consumption An iPhone or iPad can also act as a bridge, enabling BLE connectivity for Garmin and Wear OS watches. This provides flexible control depending on range, power usage, and available devices. KEY FEATURES • Direct control of the Pcnautic Autopilot • Adjustable course and autopilot settings REQUIREMENTS Compatible Pcnautic Autopilot hardware is required.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Pcnautic Autopilot at none against Sailing Master M's 1. Pcnautic Autopilot also leads on update cadence (every 5 days vs every 2 months). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. Sailing Master M sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $11.99 per year. Pcnautic Autopilot asks for nothing beyond the download.
Sailing Master M ships an update every 2 months, Pcnautic Autopilot every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Sailing Master M | Pcnautic Autopilot |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better | — |
| Number of ratings | 1 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 5 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch |
| Requires iOS | 17 — better | 18.5 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 25 MB | 3 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Pekka Leppanen | H.L.S. Electronics B.V. |
In-app purchases
Sailing Master M
- Pro annual14 Days trial$11.991 Year
Pcnautic Autopilot
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Sailing Master M free?
Is Pcnautic Autopilot free?
Do Sailing Master M or Pcnautic Autopilot have ads?
Which is updated more often, Sailing Master M or Pcnautic Autopilot?
Other comparisons















