Master vs AMC Buoyage System (IALA)
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
AMC Buoyage System (IALA)
Learn the meaning of maritime buoyage markers with 3D visualizations. Understand buoy types, colors, shapes, and lighting sequences for safe navigation at sea. Covers both IALA Region A and B.
- 3D buoy visualizations
- Buoy color, shape, and lighting details
- IALA Region A and B support
- Night-time lighting sequences
- Suitable for beginners and experienced mariners
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The AMC Buoyage System (IALA) app helps people at sea to understand the meaning of each buoyage marker. The app provides a full 3D visual of the type of buoy, colour, shape and lighting sequence for night-time. Both Region A and B are included in the app. Whether you are a person just starting off in the industry or an experienced seafarer looking to refresh your knowledge, the app provides all the required buoyage information you need to steer safely at sea.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: Master at fortnightly against AMC Buoyage System (IALA)'s every 2 months. AMC Buoyage System (IALA)'s advantage is price ($0.99 vs $1.99) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). On review sentiment, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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
Master costs $1.99 and AMC Buoyage System (IALA) $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Master ships an update fortnightly, AMC Buoyage System (IALA) every 2 months. Both last shipped on October 27, 2026.
| Parameter | Master | AMC Buoyage System (IALA) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1.99 | $0.99 — better |
| Rating | 4.8 (100 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 96.9% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 100 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly — better | Every 2 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 13.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 117 MB | 130 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Peterjohn Chisholm | AMC Search Ltd |
Customer experience
Master
AMC Buoyage System (IALA)
In-app purchases
Master
No in-app purchases
AMC Buoyage System (IALA)
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Master free?
Is AMC Buoyage System (IALA) free?
Do Master or AMC Buoyage System (IALA) have ads?
Which is updated more often, Master or AMC Buoyage System (IALA)?
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