Maritime Academy vs Master
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Maritime Academy
Learn maritime signal flags and the International Code of Signals through engaging levels and challenges. This app offers a structured approach to mastering flag meanings, abbreviations, and communication methods used at sea. It's designed for efficient memorization and progress, suitable for various maritime enthusiasts.
- 104 levels and 35 challenges
- Covers Letters, Numbers, Words, Substitutes, Single Flag Meanings, Abbreviations
- Progressive learning and focused repetition
- Explore screen for self-paced learning
- Works completely offline
- No ads
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Features: - designed for mariners, travellers, yachtsmen, pleasure cruisers and anyone who enjoys spending time around the waterfront. - 104 levels and 35 challenges teaching and training maritime flag signalling and the International Code of Signals (ICS). - 6 chapters including Letters, Numbers, Words, Substitutes, Single Flag Meanings and Abbreviations. - effective and fun teaching and training strategy: learn and train first with ease and then challenge yourself with pressure. - calculated amount of repetition for smooth and efficient memorization and progress. - explore all the letters, numbers, substitutes and abbreviations at your own pace on the Explore screen. - info screen offering detailed explanation of how to make the most of the app. - absolutely no ads. - works completely offline. -------- About Maritime Academy The app teaches maritime flag signalling (generally flaghoist signalling), which is the principal means other than radio by which ships communicate to each other or to shore. Virtually all signalling by non-naval vessels is now organized under the International Code of Signals (whether by flaghoist, semaphore, signal lamp, or other means), which specifies a standard set of flags and codes and is the most recent evolution of a wide variety of maritime flag signalling systems. Naval vessels generally use an extended set of flags and their own codes. -------- Teaching method The two key teaching and training concepts are progressive introduction and focused repetition. The learning material is categorized into chapters and then broken down into manageable units (levels) to ensure efficient learning and training. -------- Learning material In general, the learning progresses from single-flag content to multi-flag content. That is to say, from letters & numbers to words & substitutes, and then to single flag meanings & abbreviations. The content is arranged for optimal efficiency and we strongly recommend you to go through the levels in this order. - Letters (8 levels + 4 challenges) - Numbers (3 levels + 1 challenge) - Words (30 levels) - Substitutes (1 level) - Single Flag Meanings (8 levels + 4 challenges) - Abbreviations (54 levels + 26 challenges) -------- Levels and challenges In short, a level focuses on introducing and training new letters/numbers/abbreviations, while a challenge tests what you’ve learnt. In the learning screen, the knowledge you should focus on is highlighted and in the training screen, you will practice by answering a few questions (like a quiz game). In a challenge, you must make less than 3 mistakes to pass it. -------- Training types There are three training types, that is to say, key, typing and button. - In Letters & Numbers levels, you need to press the keys of the keyboard on the screen to answer the questions. - In Words & Substitutes levels, you need to type whole words to answer the questions. - In Single Flag Meanings & Abbreviations levels, you need to choose the correct meaning by clicking on a button. -------- The Explore screen The Explore screen allows users to check out the International Flags and Pennants of the 26 letters of the English Alphabet, numbers (0-9), substitutes (3), as well as the International Code of Signals including 25 single flag meanings and 201 most frequently used abbreviations. Simply click on the blocks to start exploring. -------- Download Maritime Academy now and start learning the signal flags! Privacy Policy: https://www.dong.digital/maritimeacademy/privacy/ Terms of Use: https://www.dong.digital/maritimeacademy/tos/
Master
Learn maritime navigation rules with an interactive system designed for effective retention. This app breaks down complex regulations into manageable sections with visual aids and mnemonics. It revisits incorrect answers and provides instant graphical feedback, making the learning process intuitive and efficient.
- Interactive learning system
- Step-by-step rule guidance
- Mnemonics and memory aids
- Interactive visuals
- Graphical feedback on answers
- Practice section with progress tracking
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Master-Nav is a progressive COLREGS learning system developed by a Master Mariner. The COLREGS are notoriously difficult to learn and retain — Master-Nav makes it significantly easier through an interactive system built around how your brain actually works. Instead of guessing through random question banks, Master-Nav guides you step by step through every rule from start to finish. Wrong answers are revisited until the rules stick — properly. Complex regulations are broken down into learnable chunks — bite-sized sections supported by mnemonics, memory aids and interactive visuals designed around how the brain actually retains information. Every incorrect answer is shown graphically alongside the correct one — immediately clear, no confusion. And with a single tap, the relevant COLREGS rule is accessible from any question at any time. Master-Nav covers COLREGS Parts A to D — General, Steering & Sailing, Lights & Shapes and Sound & Light Signals — plus Annex IV Distress Signals. Over 1000 questions in multiple formats, with a dedicated Practice Section that tracks right, wrong and unanswered so you always know where to focus. COLREGS — the easy way.
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Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Maritime Academy at Free against Master's $1.99. Maritime Academy also leads on rating (4.9 vs 4.7) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). Master's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 42 months). On review sentiment, ratings volume, 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
Maritime Academy is free to download; Master costs $1.99 up front. Maritime Academy sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Master asks for nothing beyond the download.
Maritime Academy holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 189 and 94 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of Maritime Academy's written reviews are positive against 97% of Master's.
Maritime Academy ships an update every 42 months, Master fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Maritime Academy | Master |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $1.99 |
| Rating | 4.9 (189 ratings) — better | 4.7 (94 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better | 96.9% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 189 — better | 94 |
| Update frequency | Every 42 months | Fortnightly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases — better | Paid |
| Best chart rank | — | #119 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 26 MB | 117 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Xiang Dong | Peterjohn Chisholm |
Customer experience
Maritime Academy
Master
In-app purchases
Maritime Academy
- Lifetime Premium$2.99
Master
No in-app purchases







