# iNavX vs ActiveCaptain®

The clearest difference is rating: iNavX at 4.8 against ActiveCaptain®'s 4.0. iNavX also leads on update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 3 months) and ratings volume (22K vs 5.2K). ActiveCaptain®'s advantage is ads (none vs shown) and review sentiment (56% vs 44%). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and chart position there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. iNavX sells 11 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month and ActiveCaptain® sells 18 in-app purchases, starting at $74.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

iNavX holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 22K and 5.2K respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 44% of iNavX's written reviews are positive against 56% of ActiveCaptain®'s, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

iNavX ships an update every 5 weeks, ActiveCaptain® every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and September 30, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | iNavX | ActiveCaptain® |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (22K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/inavx-marine-navigation/id286616280/reviews)** | [4.0 (5.2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/activecaptain/id1116089313/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **22K** | 5.2K |
| Positive reviews | 43.7% of reviews | **56.4% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 5 weeks** | Every 3 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | #89 | **#33** |
| Size | 298 MB | 196 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 18.5 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [NavX Studios LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/286616283) | [Garmin](https://appshunter.io/developer/411046952) |

## What reviewers say

### iNavX

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/inavx-marine-navigation/id286616280)

**Currently charting:** #89 Top Grossing · Navigation (US App Store)

This app provides comprehensive marine navigation tools, including worldwide chart coverage, weather forecasts, and AIS integration. It allows users to plan routes, track their position, and connect with onboard instruments for a complete boating experience.

**Highlights:** Worldwide marine chart access, Real-time GPS plotting, Waypoint and route management, GRIB weather forecasts, AIS integration, Nautical instrument connectivity

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (11)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Theyr Premium - Mobile (Monthly) for iOS | $9.99 | per month |
| iNavX Professional+ USA | $29.99 | per year |
| Navionics+ USA/Canada (iPhone) | $29.99 | per year |
| Navionics+ Caribbean (iPhone) | $44.99 | per year |
| Theyr Premium Weather | $49.99 | per year |
| iNavX Professional+ USA Canada | $59.99 | per year |
| C-MAP World Chart | $59.99 | per year |
| Explorer Chartbooks - Bahamas | $69.99 | per year |
| Navionics+ USA/Canada (iPad) | $79.99 | per year |
| Navionics+ Caribbean (iPad) | $79.99 | per year |
| AIS Live | $99.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Accurate and precise navigation
- 📊 Comprehensive charting and navigation features
- 🛠️ Customizable instrument settings
- 🔄 Redundancy across devices
- 💨 Reliable performance over many years

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🤔 Clunky and unintuitive user interface
- 🗺️ Cumbersome chart management and downloading
- 🔋 Battery drain issues
- 💰 Expensive subscription model for charts
- 🐛 Stability issues and crashes

**Reported bugs**

- Inability to remove waypoints
- Inconsistent behavior when transitioning International Date Line
- Disappearing or missing chart data

**Requested features**

- Seamless chart switching and panning
- Integrated tidal and current data
- Support for more chart types and providers
- Improved route planning and editing tools
- Automatic chart updates and management


### ActiveCaptain®

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/activecaptain/id1116089313)

**Currently charting:** #33 Top Grossing · Navigation, #159 Top Free · Navigation (US App Store)

This app connects your mobile device to compatible Garmin chartplotters, enabling wireless chart and map transfers, software updates, and route planning. It also provides access to a community of boaters for reviews and information on marinas and points of interest.

**Highlights:** Wireless chart and map transfer, Route and waypoint planning, ActiveCaptain Community for POI reviews, Chartplotter control via Helm feature, Easy software updates, OnDeck system monitoring, Garmin Quickdraw Community map sharing

**In-app purchases (18)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| NSUS007R-U.S. East | $74.99 | per year |
| NSUS006R-U.S. South | $74.99 | per year |
| g4 U.S. Lakes & Rivers Built-i | $99.99 | per year |
| NSUS001L-U.S. & Canada | $99.99 | per year |
| g4 Vision U.S. South | $129.99 | per year |
| g4 Vision U.S. East | $129.99 | per year |
| GN+ US & Coast Canada Built-In | $149.99 | per year |
| U.S. LakeVü Detail Map | $59.99 | one-time |
| US+Great Lakes Detail Map | $99.99 | one-time |
| BlueChart g3+LakeVu g3 Built-I | $99.99 | one-time |
| LUS100F - Download | $149.99 | one-time |
| GN+ U.S. South | $149.99 | one-time |
| GN+ U.S. East | $149.99 | one-time |
| VUS010R - Download | $174.99 | one-time |
| GN+ U.S. & Canada | $199.99 | one-time |
| HXUS604X - Download | $219.99 | one-time |
| GNV+ U.S. East | $249.99 | one-time |
| GNV+ U.S. South | $249.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 🚀 Seamless integration with Garmin devices
- 💡 Useful for planning trips and managing waypoints
- 🚀 Convenient for updating software and charts
- 👍 Great app for Garmin users

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and connection issues
- 🔍 Limited chart and mapping functionality compared to competitors
- 🤔 Difficult to transfer data between devices
- 🤔 Confusing and not very intuitive user interface
- 💰 Expensive for the features provided

**Reported bugs**

- Charts and maps not loading properly
- Waypoints and routes not syncing correctly
- Constant prompts to purchase additional charts
- Compatibility issues with older Garmin devices

**Requested features**

- Ability to duplicate and edit existing routes
- Sync user data across multiple devices
- Improved chart detail and coverage
- Animated tides and currents
- Better integration with other navigation apps


## Frequently asked questions

### Is iNavX free?

iNavX is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is ActiveCaptain® free?

ActiveCaptain® is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, iNavX or ActiveCaptain®?

iNavX is rated higher. iNavX averages 4.8 out of 5 from 22K ratings, while ActiveCaptain® averages 4.0 from 5.2K ratings.

### Do iNavX or ActiveCaptain® have ads?

iNavX shows ads; ActiveCaptain® does not.

### Which is updated more often, iNavX or ActiveCaptain®?

iNavX ships an update every 5 weeks, and ActiveCaptain® every 3 months. Most recently, iNavX was updated on October 1, 2026 and ActiveCaptain® on September 30, 2026.

### Which is more popular, iNavX or ActiveCaptain®?

iNavX currently peaks at #89 in the App Store charts, and ActiveCaptain® at #33. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*