Jotron EPIRB vs vmsTRACK
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Jotron EPIRB
This utility configures and reads programming data from Jotron Tron AIS EPIRBs using NFC. Full programming requires a separate license, typically granted to Jotron customers who complete specific training. It offers the same functionality as the desktop software.
- Configure Jotron Tron AIS EPIRBs
- Read programmed beacon data
- NFC reader integration
- Desktop software alternative
- License required for full programming
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Jotron EPIRB is a tool to configure the Jotron Tron AIS EPIRBs. It will also allow read back of already programmed beacons. For full programming functionality, a separate license is required. This license is granted automatically to direct Jotron customers who have completed the Jotron Tron AIS EPIRB training course. To ease programming of beacons, familiarize yourself with the location of the NFC reader on your phone and place it as close as possible to the NFC location on the beacon. This tool does the same job as the TronLink EPIRB desktop programming software.
vmsTRACK
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With this app you are able to read-out the vmsTRACK-PRO 2.Generation transmitter. You can check the battery status and static data. vmsTRACK-PRO is an AIS transmitter used for small vessel tracking (e.g. fishing vessels). The GPS track is transmitted and additionally stored in its internal flash memory. With this app you can read-out this track via Bluetooth and the track is shown on the map view of your iPhone or iPad.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: vmsTRACK at every 3 weeks against Jotron EPIRB's every 8 months. vmsTRACK also leads on iOS requirement (11.0 vs 14.0). 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Jotron EPIRB ships an update every 8 months, vmsTRACK every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on June 1, 2026 and September 18, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Jotron EPIRB | vmsTRACK |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (2 ratings) — better | — |
| Number of ratings | 2 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 8 months | Every 3 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 | 11.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 47 MB | 21 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Jotron AS | Weatherdock AG |
In-app purchases
Jotron EPIRB
No in-app purchases
vmsTRACK
No in-app purchases
