NavCalc Dynamic vs Simple LogBook
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
NavCalc Dynamic
This app calculates the course and speed needed to counteract current and wind effects for navigation. It visually displays these calculations on a compass rose, dynamically updating as parameters change. Useful for learning and solving real-world sailing problems.
- Calculate Course to Steer (CtS)
- Calculate Speed over Ground (SoG)
- Visual compass rose display
- Dynamic parameter updates
- Magnetic variation input
- Leeway and wind direction input
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NavCalc is a simple navigation calculator. Given a desired heading, boat speed, and the set and drift of current, NavCalc will display the Course to Steer (CtS) and Speed over Ground (SoG) that will be achieved on that course given the current. NavCalc draws a neat little picture of the heading, current vector, and course to steer on a 360º compass rose which includes both degrees True and Magnetic (if you enter a Magnetic Variation). NavCalc also allows you to enter degrees of leeway and wind direction, and will take leeway into account when calculating the CtS. NavCalc will dynamically update the drawing as you change any of the parameters (heading, boat speed, current set or drift, variation). NavCalc can be used to solve navigation problems like the ones you might find on the tests for Coastal Navigation courses from US Sailing or ASA. It’s also useful for building intuition about how current affects your boat’s course and speed over ground (or velocity made good) since it updates dynamically as you change any parameter.
Simple LogBook
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No account. Your logbook lives in YOUR iCloud. Be checkride-ready. Simple LogBook is the fast, private pilot logbook built for real cockpit workflows. Log a flight in seconds, track your FAA currency at a glance, and keep every hour backed up in your own iCloud — no accounts, no ads, no data mining. LOG FLIGHTS FAST • Smart defaults auto-fill landings and time categories • All FAA fields: PIC, SIC, Dual, Solo, Night, XC, IFR, and more • Enter block time as HH:MM and let the app do the math • Find airports by ICAO, FAA or IATA code, or by name SWITCHING APPS • Import your logbook from another logbook app's CSV export or any spreadsheet with date and total time • Preview before anything is saved; duplicates are skipped • A safety copy of your logbook is saved first, and any import can be undone in one tap AUTO NIGHT & XC • Add out and in times (UTC) and night time is computed from civil twilight for your route • Cross-country suggested when your route goes beyond 50 NM • Suggestions fill only when you tap — your entries are never overwritten STAY CURRENT • 14 CFR 61.57 day and night takeoff & landing currency (90 days, 3 landings) • IFR currency (6 approaches + hold, 6-month window) • Flight review and medical tracking with clear expiry countdowns ON YOUR LOCK SCREEN • Currency widgets for your Home Screen and Lock Screen • Ask Siri "Am I night current in Simple LogBook?" — no need to open the app CHECKRIDE-READY • FAA Form 8710-1 Record of Pilot Time totals from your logbook, shared as a PDF • A formatted PDF logbook for your examiner CFI ENDORSEMENTS • 18 AC 61-65 endorsement templates plus free text • Your instructor signs right on your iPhone or iPad; any later change is flagged • Electronic record signed on your device — not an FAA-approved electronic signature system SEE YOUR FLYING • Statistics and charts by category, aircraft, and time • Totals that stay accurate as you log TAKE IT ANYWHERE • Private iCloud sync across your iPhone and iPad • Export to PDF or CSV for your records or an examiner FREE TO START Log up to 25 flights and add 1 aircraft for free, with every logbook field. CSV export, iCloud sync and logbook import are always free (imported flights don't count toward the limit), and your first CFI endorsement is free too. Upgrade to Pro for unlimited flights and aircraft, currency tracking, statistics, a formatted PDF logbook, the 8710 report, currency widgets and Siri, and unlimited endorsements. PRO PLANS • Monthly and Annual subscriptions (Annual includes a 7-day free trial) • Or Lifetime — one-time purchase, yours forever • Have an offer code? Redeem it in Settings Your logbook stays yours. Data lives in your private iCloud, never on our servers. — Pro subscriptions auto-renew unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage or cancel anytime in your Apple ID settings. Payment is charged to your Apple ID at confirmation of purchase. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ · Privacy Policy: https://starbuck-dev.github.io/Only-Logbook/privacy/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: NavCalc Dynamic at none against Simple LogBook's 4. NavCalc Dynamic also leads on update cadence (every 6 days vs every 2 weeks) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 18.6). On price, 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. Simple LogBook sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. NavCalc Dynamic asks for nothing beyond the download.
NavCalc Dynamic ships an update every 6 days, Simple LogBook every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and November 9, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | NavCalc Dynamic | Simple LogBook |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (2 ratings) — better | — |
| Number of ratings | 2 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 6 days — better | Every 2 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 18.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 15 MB | 7 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Richard Craddock | MacLaren's Studio |
In-app purchases
NavCalc Dynamic
No in-app purchases
Simple LogBook
- Pro Monthly$4.991 Month
- Pro Annual7 Days trial$29.991 Year
- Simple LogBook Pro$9.99
- Pro Lifetime$89.99
Questions
Is NavCalc Dynamic free?
Is Simple LogBook free?
Do NavCalc Dynamic or Simple LogBook have ads?
Which is updated more often, NavCalc Dynamic or Simple LogBook?
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