AngelNav vs sMRT Beacon Management
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
AngelNav
This app allows sailors to perform traditional navigation directly on their device, offering a digital alternative to paper charts and instruments. It supports various chart types and integrates with GNSS data for real-time navigation, with options for advanced features and chart subscriptions.
- Traditional navigation techniques on screen
- Full chart plotter with raster chart support
- GNSS data integration (GPS, NMEA, SignalK)
- AIS target display
- Waypoint and route management
- Track recording and display
- Simulation mode
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AngelNav is a new app for iOS developed in collaboration with Tom Cunliffe. Primarily it is a full chart plotter currently favouring raster charts, but it has many additional features including the ability to carry out traditional navigation directly on the screen. The capacity to generate classical chart work is vitally important in the event of a GPS failure, but hitherto has required pencil, plotters, and paper charts. AngelNav allows traditional techniques to be carried out using an iPad or iPhone screen instead of a paper chart. An estimated position can be plotted, position lines drawn from sighted bearings and fixes recorded. Course-to-steer diagrams are readily constructed. AngelNav can read most types of raster chart including the UKHO subscription charts, as well as KAP/BSB files and GeoTIFF files. It can easily create georeferenced satellite charts for offline use. AngelNav can take GNSS navigation data from a variety of sources, including the device's stand-alone GPS, the boat's NMEA over WiFi, and SignalK. It will also display AIS information if available. Annual subscriptions are available as in-app purchases for UKHO, SHOM, and Imray charts covering the whole of the UK, France, Spain, the Mediterranean and the Caribbean. These are divided into folios so that you can subscribe only to the charts that you need. The app is free to use in its basic form, with additional functions and charts available as in-app purchases. This allows a user to fully evaluate the app without charge, and then to purchase the features and charts required. Free features: Chart plotter (Demo chart included) Traditional navigation techniques Waypoints and Routes Track recording and display Reads navigational data Simulation mode Paid for features (in-app purchases): Open KAP/BSB files Open GeoTIFF files Open Satellite charts Display AIS targets (if AIS information is available) Tidal information for the British Isles Subscription Charts: Charts derived from UKHO data covering the coastal waters of the British isles, the Atlantic coast of Spain and Portugal including the Atlantic islands. SHOM charts of the coasts of France Imray charts of of the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and others Key features: Brand new app written from the ground up Carry out traditional navigation techniques on screen Free to download to for evaluation, with in-app purchases to add only the features required Frequent updates of subscription charts including handling of notice to mariners Custom keyboard for entry of waypoint latitude and longitude Open KPA/BSB and GeoTIFF files (in-app purchase required) Create Satellite charts for off line use (in-app purchase required) Display AIS targets on the chart (in-app purchase required) NOTE: The continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life
sMRT Beacon Management
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The sMRT mobile application for beacon management enables users to test, check and maintain their devices, ensuring they are ready when needed the most. In addition to the essential functionalities like Battery Level Check, Test History, and Pair Vessel MMSI, the sMRT Mobile App offers a range of other convenient features. NFC Compatibility enables quick and easy device interaction, while Itinerary Planning empowers you to map out your adventures with precision.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: sMRT Beacon Management at none against AngelNav's 10. On price, update cadence, ads and device support 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. AngelNav sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $24.99 per year. sMRT Beacon Management asks for nothing beyond the download.
AngelNav ships an update every 5 weeks, sMRT Beacon Management monthly. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and November 7, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | AngelNav | sMRT Beacon Management |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.7 (3 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 75.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 3 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks | Monthly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.5 | 15.1 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 120 MB | 34 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | SailTrack Limited | mrtsos |
In-app purchases
AngelNav
- UKHO BF1$24.991 Year
- UKHO BF8$24.991 Year
- UKHO AO2$24.991 Year
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- SHOM FF2$24.991 Year
- Imray ID100$69.991 Year
- KAP files$4.99
- Satellite charts$4.99
- AIS$4.99
Show 2 moreShow fewer
- Instruments$4.99
- GeoPDF files$4.99
sMRT Beacon Management
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is AngelNav free?
Is sMRT Beacon Management free?
Do AngelNav or sMRT Beacon Management have ads?
Which is updated more often, AngelNav or sMRT Beacon Management?
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