Comparison

Master vs Skipper IQ

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
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

Skipper IQ

Test your boating knowledge daily with quick quizzes and learn from real-life incident scenarios. Features include a live leaderboard, progress tracking, and on-water tools like an anchor alarm and compass. Designed for recreational boaters and those studying for licenses.

Highlights
  • Daily 5-question boating challenges
  • Live leaderboard and streaks
  • Real incident scenario trainer
  • Captain's Call Quiz with certificate
  • Practical boating tips
  • GPS anchor drag alarm
  • Compass and waypoints
Features
Read full description

Test your boating knowledge in five minutes a day, free. Skipper IQ is built by Capt Andrew from real search and rescue experience. Every morning there's a new 5-question boating challenge with a live leaderboard, plus real incident scenarios that put you at the helm when things go wrong. FREE EVERY DAY • Daily Challenge: 5 quick boating questions, a new set every morning • Live leaderboard: see how you rank against other skippers • Streaks and badges to keep you sharp LEARN FROM REAL RESCUES • Real World Incident Scenario Trainer: step through real boating accidents, make the calls and see how your choices change the outcome LEVEL UP • Captain's Call Quiz: navigation, safety, seamanship, weather, collision rules and more, from Beginner to Skipper, with a completion certificate CAPT ANDREW'S TIPS • A new practical boating tip every morning at 8, from years on the water ON-WATER TOOLS • Anchor Watch: GPS anchor drag alarm that alerts you if you drift • Breakback Boating (G-Force Meter): measure impacts and share runs to the community map • Compass & Waypoints: drop marks and navigate back to them Made for recreational boaters, new skippers studying for a boat licence, and experienced captains who want to stay sharp. Some features need a Captain's Club subscription. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Master4 screens
Skipper IQ4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Skipper IQ at Free against Master's $1.99. Skipper IQ also leads on update cadence (every 2 days vs fortnightly) and rating (5.0 vs 4.8). Master's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 10) and ratings volume (100 vs 1). On review sentiment, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Skipper IQ is free to download; Master costs $1.99 up front. Skipper IQ sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Master asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Skipper IQ holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Master has 100 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 97% of Master's written reviews are positive against 100% of Skipper IQ's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Master ships an update fortnightly, Skipper IQ every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on November 7, 2026 and November 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Master versus Skipper IQ: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMasterSkipper IQ
Price$1.99Free — better
Rating4.8 (100 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews96.9% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings100 — better1
Update frequencyFortnightlyEvery 2 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFreemium — better
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size117 MB54 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperPeterjohn ChisholmPowerboat.Training Ltd

Customer experience

Master

All ratings94 ratings
Positive94.7%
Neutral2.1%
Negative3.2%
Written reviews32 reviews
Positive96.9%
Neutral3.1%
Negative0.0%

Skipper IQ

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Master

No in-app purchases

9 purchases

Skipper IQ

Subscriptions2
  • Captain’s Club Monthly$2.991 Month
  • Captain’s Club Annual$19.991 Year
One-time7
  • Safety & Emergency$3.99
  • Seamanship & Ropework2 variants$3.99
  • Weather & Tides$3.99
Show 4 more
  • Navigating Captain$3.99
  • Engine & Mechanical$3.99
  • Launchmaster Captain$3.99
  • Full Fleet Access$14.99

Questions

Is Master free?
Master costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Skipper IQ free?
Skipper IQ is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Master or Skipper IQ?
Skipper IQ is rated higher. Master averages 4.8 out of 5 from 100 ratings, while Skipper IQ averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Master or Skipper IQ have ads?
Neither Master nor Skipper IQ shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Master or Skipper IQ?
Master ships an update fortnightly, and Skipper IQ every 2 days. Most recently, Master was updated on November 7, 2026 and Skipper IQ on November 9, 2026.

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