Comparison

Master vs ICS

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • Interactive learning system
  • Step-by-step rule guidance
  • Mnemonics and memory aids
  • Interactive visuals
  • Graphical feedback on answers
  • Practice section with progress tracking
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

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.

About

ICS

Features
Read full description

Do you want to read signal flags confidently, know Morse code and the phonetic alphabet (NATO/ICAO) and speak the language of sailors? This app is your guide to the International Code of Signals (ICS). App features: • A complete set of signals: learn the phonetic alphabet (Alpha, Bravo, Charlie...), signal flags and Morse code. • Correct pronunciation: learn not only to write but also to speak correctly. • Effective memorization: consolidate your knowledge with the help of tests. • Progress and statistics: track your progress in each section and set records in tests. • Works offline: study anywhere: at sea, on a yacht or at home without the Internet. Who is this app for? This app is for sailors and captains, yachtsmen, cadets of maritime educational institutions, radiotelegraph operators and everyone who is interested in the sea. Learn visual and sound signals with the help of tests and voice acting. Download now and start learning the language of the sea.

Screenshots

Master4 screens
ICS4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Master at fortnightly against ICS's every 9 months. Master also leads on chart position (#196 vs unranked) and price ($1.99 vs $2.99). On ads, in-app purchases 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Master costs $1.99 and ICS $2.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Master ships an update fortnightly, ICS every 9 months. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
Master versus ICS: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMasterICS
Price$1.99 — better$2.99
Rating4.8 (100 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews96.9% of reviews—
Number of ratings100 — better—
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 9 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaid—
Best chart rank#196 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size117 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPeterjohn ChisholmSmirnov Yury

In-app purchases

None

Master

No in-app purchases

None

ICS

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Master free?
Master costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is ICS free?
ICS costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do Master or ICS have ads?
Neither Master nor ICS shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Master or ICS?
Master ships an update fortnightly, and ICS every 9 months. Most recently, Master was updated on October 25, 2026 and ICS on October 24, 2026.

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