Harry's Sailor vs IODA Optimist
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Harry's Sailor
This GPS-based navigation tool assists sailors with advanced features like heeling visualization and alarms, racing rule guidance, and full navigation support. It offers detailed nautical information and a trip recorder with Google Earth export.
- Heeling visualization and alarm
- Racing rule #10 display
- Full navigation support (polar, waypoints, course)
- Google Maps integration
- Deviation from course and VMG display
- Nautical information reference
- Trip recorder with Google Earth export
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OVERVIEW Harry's Sailor is a GPS based navigation tool / sailing companion. Like all apps from Harry's GPS Suite it uses an advanced GPS Engine developed and maintained for a decade. For this Sailor app, the engine was expanded for the specific situation on a ship. One example for this expansion is treatment of speed. GPS is weak delivering exact speed informations at low vessel speeds making it necessary to utilize special algorithms. FEATURES This version brings a number of unique features to the iPhone platform. Examples are: visualization and measurement of heeling including a visual alarm when heeling in larger that 20 / 25 degree; display of racing rule #10: when boats are on opposite tacks, a port-tack boat shall keep clear of a starboard-tack boat; full navigation support, course can be defined using polar coordinates, defined waypoints, or using a course given; full integration of Google Maps; while navigation is started, deviation from course, distance to waypoint, and velocity made good (VMG) is displayed continuously; extensive reference on nautic information: signal flags, morse code, buoyages, lights and shapes, wind speed; finally, a full trip recorder including statistics, ports visited, and Google Earth export. MORE INFORMATION Sailor requires an iOS device featuring GPS. In case you want to use an iPod touch, an external GPS mouse needs to be added. Compatible devices are listed on www.gps-laptimer.de/compatibility/ios.
IODA Optimist
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Official mobile application of the IODA (International Optimist Dinghy Association) Championships. Live information on all races; constant results updates; daily news, images and videos of the regatta are some of the examples offered by this App to enable you to track down to the minute everything that is going on during every Optimist class major championship. Furthermore, if you wish so, you can receive alerts of any relevant information from any of the races or teams you wish to follow closely. With this App, live the major IODA Major Championships wherever you may be as you had never imagined! 3392
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: IODA Optimist at Free against Harry's Sailor's $2.99. IODA Optimist also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1). On update cadence, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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
IODA Optimist is free to download; Harry's Sailor costs $2.99 up front. Harry's Sailor sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. IODA Optimist asks for nothing beyond the download.
Harry's Sailor ships an update every 3 months, IODA Optimist every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 5, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Harry's Sailor | IODA Optimist |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 70.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 1 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Every 2 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Paid | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 | 11.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 41 MB | 67 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Harald Schlangmann | Sailti |
In-app purchases
Harry's Sailor
- Satellites Feature$0.99
IODA Optimist
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Harry's Sailor free?
Is IODA Optimist free?
Do Harry's Sailor or IODA Optimist have ads?
Which is updated more often, Harry's Sailor or IODA Optimist?
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