Comparison

iAIS vs Boat Beacon

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

iAIS

Visualize AIS targets relative to your device's position, displaying detailed information about each target. Overlay AIS data on Navionics charts and share your boat's live position with others. This app is intended for basic navigation reference only.

Highlights
  • AIS target plotting
  • NMEA data instruments
  • AIS target details display
  • Navionics chart overlay
  • Live boat position sharing
  • GPS and Wind data view
Features
Read full description

iAIS is a simple AIS target plotter and NMEA data instrument designed for use with the DigitalYacht iAIS WiFi receiver. AIS targets are plotted relative to iPhone/iPod/iPad position. Tapping on an AIS target displays details (i.e. speed, course, destination, type, length, etc.). GPS and Wind data can also be viewed on the Instrument panel. You can also display the AIS targets over your Navionics charts. With a one off In App purchase, iAIS can use all your existing Navionics charts with no additional charges for the charts. You can share your boat's live position, speed and course and be visible on other free internet based AIS apps and web sites like BoatWatch and MarineTraffic if you have a valid MMSI number for your boat. In the US you can obtain an MMSI number for your boat by visiting http://www.boatus.com/mmsi. In the UK visit https://www.ofcom.org.uk/manage-your-licence or email us for an internet only MMSI number. Please note that continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life. NOT FOR NAVIGATION iAIS should only be used for basic navigation reference and should not be solely relied upon to determine precise locations, proximity, distance, or direction.

About

Boat Beacon

This marine navigation app provides real-time AIS data for collision avoidance and position sharing. It offers over-the-horizon warnings, background operation, and a user-friendly interface for boaters.

Highlights
  • Collision warnings with CPA calculations
  • Real-time AIS ship tracking
  • Background operation for continuous alerts
  • Position sharing with other users
  • Augmented Reality view (IAP)
  • Man Overboard and Anchor Watch alarms (IAP)
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Boat Beacon is an internet AIS receiver and transmitter for your iPhone and iPad. It is the only AIS ship tracking app to provide Collision Warnings, share your boat’s position & use real-time AIS data. Connected to the largest network of AIS shore receivers world-wide covering most major ports, harbours and popular coastal areas. “An outstanding app, with great potential. Both interesting to use and very user friendly. This could be a life saver and especially of interest to small boat users. Everyone who goes on the water should have this on and use it!” ***** Sun Dream, App Store Review Boat Beacon is designed for boaters & provides continuous Bearing, Range & Closest Point of Approach (CPA) calculations and alarms in addition to standard AIS information even when in the background. Boat Beacon does not require any external AIS transponder or receiver equipment. Key Features ------------ Over-the-horizon collision avoidance (30 miles radius) using continuous CPA calculations - highlights boats that are on a potential collision course and alerts you with an alarm. Continually transmits and receives position information via the internet and calculates and alarms CPA even when the app is in the background. Shares your position with Internet AIS Systems & apps & other Boat Beacon users in real time. Real time ship map view with North up & Heading up modes so you can look in the direction of the ships on the map to locate them. Nav display showing own boat's speed, course, heading and position. SART Alarm Man Overboard tracking, Anchor watch & Theft alarms (IAP). Apple Watch App included Siri voice commands Apple Critical Alerts support Export tracks Boat-to-Boat & Group Messaging. Local AIS & GPS via Wifi. Boat Beacon InApp Add-ons (IAP):- - LiveView - Augmented Reality view with ships, compass & horizon overlaid. Works with FLIROne IR cameras as well to see ships & people in the dark & fog - "AIS Sharing" to other apps like Navionics & iNavX - US, UK and IE Marine raster charts. - MOB and Anchor Watch. Let Friends and Family see where you are and where you're headed to with our free Boat Watch app or on web-based AIS systems like MarineTraffic which have free web viewers available. Arm all the crews in a race with Boat Beacon and have real time updates on the race positions on the water and back in the club house. Keep a watch and in touch with other boats in your flotilla when sailing in a group. Boat Beacon requires internet access to work. Most popular coastal areas have cellular data access extending 12 or more miles out to sea. Subscriptions The "AIS Sharing " subscription is monthly ($5.99) or yearly ($16.49), and will automatically renew at the end of the subscription period unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. Payment will be charged to your iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase, and will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period. Subscriptions may be managed by the iTunes account holder and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to Account Settings after purchase. 
No cancellation of the current subscription is allowed during active subscription period. Terms of Use: http://seanav.net/termsofuse.php Privacy Policy: http://seanav.net/privacy.php Support: help@pocketmariner.com Your position can be shared and seen on all our apps without using an MMSI number. To be seen on Global AIS systems like MarineTraffic you need an MMSI number. In the US you can obtain one by visiting http://www.boatus.com/mmsi or email us for a free internet MMSI number. Please note that continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life. NOT FOR NAVIGATION Boat Beacon should only be used for basic navigation reference and should not be solely relied upon to determine precise locations, proximity, distance, or direction. You will not be visible to other ships on VHF only AIS systems.

Screenshots

iAIS4 screens
Boat Beacon4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: iAIS at Free against Boat Beacon's $14.99. iAIS also leads on iOS requirement (9.0 vs 15.6). Boat Beacon's advantage is rating (4.6 vs 2.5) and review sentiment (61% vs 30%). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

iAIS is free to download; Boat Beacon costs $14.99 up front. iAIS sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Boat Beacon sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Boat Beacon holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 2.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Boat Beacon has 868 ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 30% of iAIS's written reviews are positive against 61% of Boat Beacon's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

iAIS ships an update every 10 months, Boat Beacon every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 9, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
iAIS versus Boat Beacon: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameteriAISBoat Beacon
PriceFree — better$14.99
Rating2.5 (6 ratings)4.6 (868 ratings) — better
Positive reviews30.4% of reviews61.1% of reviews — better
Number of ratings6868 — better
Update frequencyEvery 10 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank—#39 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS9.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size66 MB152 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDigitalYacht Ltd.Pocket Mariner Ltd.

Customer experience

iAIS

All ratings6 ratings
Positive16.7%
Neutral33.3%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews23 reviews
Positive30.4%
Neutral13.0%
Negative56.5%

Boat Beacon

All ratings868 ratings
Positive92.1%
Neutral2.3%
Negative5.6%
Written reviews185 reviews
Positive61.1%
Neutral9.7%
Negative29.2%

Bugs and requests

iAIS

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Boat Beacon

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Crashes when panning or changing settings
  • Phantom ships not disappearing
  • Inaccurate position data
  • Compatibility issues with older devices

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add marine charts
  • Improve search functionality
  • Offline mode
  • Integrate with other navigation apps

In-app purchases

1 purchases

iAIS

One-time1
  • Navionics Charts Upgrade$9.99
6 purchases

Boat Beacon

Subscriptions2
  • AIS Share$5.991 Month
  • AIS Share$16.491 Year
One-time4
  • Anchor Watch and Man Overboard$4.99
  • Live View Upgrade$7.99
  • NOAA US Marine Charts$9.99
Show 1 more
  • UK & IE Marine Charts$12.99

Questions

Is iAIS free?
iAIS is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Boat Beacon free?
Boat Beacon costs $14.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, iAIS or Boat Beacon?
Boat Beacon is rated higher. iAIS averages 2.5 out of 5 from 6 ratings, while Boat Beacon averages 4.6 from 868 ratings.
Do iAIS or Boat Beacon have ads?
Neither iAIS nor Boat Beacon shows ads.
Which is updated more often, iAIS or Boat Beacon?
iAIS ships an update every 10 months, and Boat Beacon every 2 months. Most recently, iAIS was updated on October 9, 2026 and Boat Beacon on October 20, 2026.

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