MagVar vs Apparent Wind Calculator
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
MagVar
This navigation tool calculates magnetic variation, the difference between true and magnetic north, essential for plotting courses on maps. It's designed for pilots, sailors, cartographers, and anyone using maps and a compass.
- Magnetic variation calculation
- True vs. magnetic north difference
- Map overlay display
- Accurate for 2025-2029
- Declination and inclination calculation
Read full descriptionHide full description
MagVar is targeted towards anyone interested in navigation. This includes, pilots of aircraft, captains of sea going vessels, cartographers, engineers and surveyors. Anyone who uses maps and a compass will find the declination calculation (also referred to magnetic variation) very useful. (Declination is the difference between true and magnetic north and used when plotting a course on a map.) MagVar calculates the magnetic flux density for any location on the Earth and then uses this data to calculate magnetic variation. The model is accurate for dates ranging from January 1, 2025 up through December 31, 2029. Using the model, the app calculates declination and inclination. As the user pans the map, the magnetic variation is calculated and graphically shown as a map overlay.
Apparent Wind Calculator
Read full descriptionHide full description
Apparent Wind Calculator takes the maths out of one of sailing's most important concepts. Feed in your true wind angle, true wind speed, and boat speed — and instantly see your apparent wind angle and speed, visualised as a live vector diagram. Whether passage planning, under sail or just getting your head around why the wind always seems to come from forward when you bear away, this app makes it immediately clear. BOAT POLAR Load a polar table and the app sets your boat speed automatically based on your true wind angle and wind speed. Built-in presets cover small, medium, and large monohulls and catamarans — or enter your own target speeds for a custom polar. With auto-fill enabled, every diagram you see reflects realistic performance numbers for your boat, not a guess. FEATURES • Live vector diagram showing true wind, apparent wind, and boat velocity as scaled arrows — updates in real time as you move the sliders • Monohull and catamaran boat graphics that respond to your apparent wind angle • Boat polar table with presets for monohulls and catamarans, fully editable • Auto-fill boat speed from your polar for realistic results • Point of sail readout — from Close Hauled to Deep Run • Port and starboard tack display • Works entirely offline, no account required WHO IT'S FOR Sailing students learning the theory, racers checking their VMG angles, cruisers planning passages, and coaches explaining wind shifts to crew. The apparent wind is what your sails actually feel. This app helps you understand it.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: Apparent Wind Calculator at every 2 months against MagVar's every 23 months. Apparent Wind Calculator also leads on iOS requirement (15.1 vs 17.6). On price, 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
MagVar costs $0.99 and Apparent Wind Calculator $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
MagVar ships an update every 23 months, Apparent Wind Calculator every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 19, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | MagVar | Apparent Wind Calculator |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $0.99 | $0.99 |
| Rating | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 1 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 23 months | Every 2 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | 15.1 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 2 MB | 25 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Robert Walker | Adam Harvey |
In-app purchases
MagVar
No in-app purchases
Apparent Wind Calculator
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is MagVar free?
Is Apparent Wind Calculator free?
Do MagVar or Apparent Wind Calculator have ads?
Which is updated more often, MagVar or Apparent Wind Calculator?
Other comparisons















