Comparison

iPlotter Solent vs NavLink UK

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

Head to head
About

iPlotter Solent

Plan marine passages with calculated courses, distances, and tidal stream data. Visualize your route on a map or a track-up display, and simulate your journey. Works globally with GPS integration for real-time positioning.

Highlights
  • Marine passage planning
  • Waypoint database
  • Tidal stream calculations
  • NAV view (track up)
  • MAP view with map overlay
  • Simulator mode
  • GPS integration
Features
Read full description

iPlotter Solent - the marine passage planner for iPad and iPhone with Solent markers and buoys database, other databases available Sectors are added to a passage plan by selecting waypoints from a database, whereupon the true course and distance is calculated. The magnetic variation is automatically determined and so the magnetic heading is derived. At this point the tidal stream set and rate can be input to allow calculation of the course to steer, speed over the ground and time for the sector. 'NAV' view displays a vectored display (track up) of the passage plan and local waypoints. This view is easy to read in bright sunlight. 'MAP' view displays the passage plan and waypoints overlaid on a map (internet connection required) Simulator mode runs the entire Passage Plan with simulated boat position and data. GPS mode updates Map and Nav views with actual boat position and data. (device must have GPS capability). iPlotter works anywhere in the world. (Note: local waypoints must be added to the database, manually or by holding down a finger on the map, or by importing a .csv file).

About

NavLink UK

This marine navigation app transforms your Apple device into a full-featured chart plotter. It displays real-time GPS positions on marine charts, overlays AIS data, and allows for waypoint and route planning with editing capabilities. Additional features include weather buoy data, augmented reality camera views, and chart measurement tools.

Highlights
  • Real-time GPS plotting on marine charts
  • AIS overlay and alarms
  • Waypoint and route planning with editing
  • Augmented reality HorizonView
  • Weather buoy data
  • Chart measurement tools
  • Automatic free chart updates
Features
Read full description

Marine Navigation App that turns your Apple Device in to a full function chart plotter. Features include; · Realtime GPS position plotted on Marine charts derived from UKHO data · AIS overlay when connected to compatible wireless AIS system · Waypoints and routes with full route editing and planning function · Position, COG, SOG, VMG, bearing, distance and ETA displays · Configurable chart layers · Tidal Streams (UK and IE) · HorizonView overlays navaid and targets onto iPad/Phone camera display · Automatic free chart updates included for 1 year · Weather buoy data · A-B chart ruler for quick and easy bearing and distance measurement · All UK & Ireland charts are included in the price · Optional in-app purchase of French, Benelux, Danish and German charts AIS Functionality When connected to an AIS system via a wireless NMEA link, NavLink will provide a real time overlay of AIS targets and CPA and TCPA alarms HorizonView Overlay chart and AIS objects on the iPhone or iPad camera image to create an augmented HorizonView display, that makes Nav-Aid and vessel identification simple and reliable Plan and sail routes Instant route and waypoint creation by tapping on screen. Route reverse function and route overview with inter-leg bearing and distance. Share your routes via dropbox and email with other users. Interfacing NavLink is compatible with all Digital Yacht's wireless NMEA devices such as the iAIS, WLN10, WLN10HS, NavLink, iNavHub and PilotLink that stream wireless AIS data to your Apple device. If you have a WiFi-only iPad or iPod you will need an external Bluetooth GPS receiver to enable navigation. Inexpensive 3rd Party units are available such as the Garmin Glo. Please note: Continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life. Safety Notice NavLink (including the charts) is an aid to navigation. Only official government charts and notice to mariners contain all of the current information needed for safe navigation. This product's features cannot be relied on to be complete or accurate and may vary locally. It is the Captain's or Boat Owner's responsibility to use official government charts, notice to mariners, caution, sound judgement and proper navigational skill when operating their vessel and using this or any other Digital Yacht product. By purchasing this App, you are accepting the limitations of this app and the derived chart data. Third Party Licenses and Notices NavLink is developed by and © 2013 Electric Pocket Ltd. NOTICE: The UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) and its licensors make no warranties or representations, express or implied, with respect to this product. The UKHO and its licensors have not verified the information within this product or quality assured it. Your purchase includes 12 months free updates to the included chart set. At the end of the 12 month period continued access to ongoing chart updates is available via an in-app purchase. Charts for other regions may also be added to your product via optional in-app purchase. Our in-app purchases are 1 year subscriptions, which 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. Pricing for our 1 year UK Charts update subscription is £9.99. 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. Our privacy policy and terms and conditions may be viewed here:- http://seanav.net/digitalyacht/privacy.php and here :- http://seanav.net/dyiostsandcs.php

Screenshots

iPlotter Solent4 screens
NavLink UK4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: NavLink UK at 60% against iPlotter Solent's 0%. NavLink UK also leads on iOS requirement (11.0 vs 15.6). iPlotter Solent's advantage is price ($7.99 vs $35.99). On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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

iPlotter Solent costs $7.99 and NavLink UK $35.99 up front. iPlotter Solent sells 12 one-off in-app purchases and NavLink UK sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $8.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

iPlotter Solent ships an update every 7 months, NavLink UK every 8 months. The most recent releases landed on August 13, 2026 and August 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 5 level
iPlotter Solent versus NavLink UK: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameteriPlotter SolentNavLink UK
Price$7.99 — better$35.99
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews60.0% of reviews — better
Update frequencyEvery 7 months — betterEvery 8 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.611.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size28 MB21 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNavtech SoftwareDigitalYacht Ltd.

Customer experience

iPlotter Solent

Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

NavLink UK

Written reviews5 reviews
Positive60.0%
Neutral20.0%
Negative20.0%

In-app purchases

12 purchases

iPlotter Solent

One-time12
  • North France$0.99
  • North Central France$0.99
  • Solent Racing 2014$1.99
Show 9 more
  • Solent Racing 2015$1.99
  • Solent Racing Marks 2017$1.99
  • Solent Racing Marks 2019$1.99
  • Solent Racing Marks 2021$2.99
  • Solent Racing 2022$2.99
  • Solent Racing 2023$2.99
  • Solent Racing 2024$2.99
  • Solent Racing Marks 2026$3.99
  • Solent Racing Marks 2025$3.99
8 purchases

NavLink UK

Subscriptions8
  • Weather charts$8.991 Year
  • DE Charts$20.991 Year
  • BE & NL Charts$20.991 Year
Show 5 more
  • French Charts$22.991 Year
  • GB Charts$24.991 Year
  • Spanish Charts$26.491 Year
  • Croatia charts$28.991 Year
  • Danish Charts$36.991 Year

Questions

Is iPlotter Solent free?
iPlotter Solent costs $7.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is NavLink UK free?
NavLink UK costs $35.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Do iPlotter Solent or NavLink UK have ads?
Neither iPlotter Solent nor NavLink UK shows ads.
Which is updated more often, iPlotter Solent or NavLink UK?
iPlotter Solent ships an update every 7 months, and NavLink UK every 8 months. Most recently, iPlotter Solent was updated on August 13, 2026 and NavLink UK on August 24, 2026.

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