GPS 2 IP vs Anchor & Course
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
GPS 2 IP
Stream real-time GPS NMEA location data from your iPhone or iPad to other devices. Ideal for advanced navigation software and enthusiasts who need external GPS capabilities.
- Stream NMEA GPS data wirelessly
- Connect via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth LE
- Push data to online servers (TCP/UDP)
- Supports TAIP protocol
- Unique device identifiers
- Automatic restart after device reboot
- Selectable NMEA messages
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Do you need GPS NMEA location data for your computer or other device - maybe to use some mapping or navigation software? Until now, you couldn't get external access to the GPS inside your iPhone or iPad, but now with GPS2IP you can stream the information in realtime to solve your requirements. BEWARE - GPS2IP is *not* able to be used for the Apple turn-by-turn navigation app, or Google Maps, or most car navigation programs. It is designed for enthusiasts, or more sophisticated navigation software that can use an external wireless GPS unit. If you aren't sure what NMEA is, please check the website before buying. This is a rather special piece of software, and must be used in the right system. PLEASE CHECK THE WEBSITE: www.capsicumdreams.com/iPhone/gps2ip/ We have a free version "GPS2IP Lite" that has most of the same features, so that you can try it out for free. Have a look on our website: http://capsicumdreams.com/gps2ip/differences.php Try it for free, and only buy this full-featured version if it does what you need! The iPhone becomes a GPS server, and to get the information, you just connect to your iPhone using either wifi or Bluetooth LE. Alternatively, you can also push the NMEA data to any online server, using either TCP or UDP and process the information however you want.The TAIP protocol is also supported. Each device running GPS2IP can send a unique identifier, so that if you have multiple devices you can determine which device is sending what messages. GPS2IP now can be configured to restart automatically after your iOS device restarts, so you'll always keep track of your position. Apart from navigation software, other methods for connection include telnet or netcat, or many terminal programs. Some navigation software such as MacEnc can read from an IP address natively. Setting up a connection between MacEnc and GPS2IP is easy. Just have a look at the capsicumDreams website! http://capsicumdreams.com/gps2ip/ Different NMEA messages can be selected for transmission according to your requirements. One non-standard message that GPS2IP transmits that is very useful for sailing is $PASHR. GPS 2 IP can run when the iPhone sleeps to support constant location reporting, but be aware that continued use of the GPS when running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life. If your device dies or you turn it off when it was running, GPS2IP now automatically resumes sending the location. Beware that this will decrease battery life - we recommend keeping it charging if possible. GPS2IP can also be configured to output data at a selectable frequency (for example once every minute). You can lock the settings, so that no unauthorised people can change the settings. Lots more information and instructions on usage can be found on our website. Enjoy!
Anchor & Course
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Main features are listed below. For Anchoring: • set the sae area for your anchoring. Adjust flexible shape (not just a circle) • raise an alarm if your boat leave the safe area • check the wind and weather forecast for given anchoring point • set and adjust the safe area manually, without map’s support in areas with no internet access For Course tracking: set the straight course to the desired destination (not straight on a map, but really straight) set the acceptable track threshold, within which the course is considered OK raise an alarm if boat leaves behind the set threshold, meaning the course is lost manually set and adjust the course destination point, with no internet access needed For the communication: • check remotely the boat’s position in anchoring mode. What is needed: • Anchor & Course application installed on your and remote devices • users logged in on both devices • remote users added to the list of accepted users on each device (to achieve both way data exchange) • data is sent only between two devices and temporarily displayed on the second device. • data is not stored anywhere and is lost once the user closes the app. Celestial Navigation in Your Pocket Determine your approximate global position using just your phone—no GPS or cellular connection required! Perfect for navigation enthusiasts, educational purposes, and survival practice. Key Features: • Calculate your approximate position completely offline. • Take multiple measurements to improve your probable location calculation. • Enter manual values to bypass phone sensor limitations. IMPORTANT ACCURACY DISCLAIMER: Please note that a smartphone is not a professional optical sextant. Expect an accuracy margin of roughly 20 to 150 km. This tool is for educational and recreational use only and should NEVER be relied upon for critical navigation. > Inaccuracies are a natural result of: • Smartphone sensor noise (magnetometer and accelerometer limitations). • Variations in the Earth's magnetic field and declination. • Atmospheric refraction affecting the perceived altitude of celestial bodies. Standard Apple Terms of Use (EULA) apply (https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/)
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Anchor & Course at Free against GPS 2 IP's $7.99. Anchor & Course also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 3 months). GPS 2 IP's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 7) and chart position (#29 vs unranked). On ads 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
Anchor & Course is free to download; GPS 2 IP costs $7.99 up front. Anchor & Course sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. GPS 2 IP asks for nothing beyond the download.
GPS 2 IP ships an update every 3 months, Anchor & Course every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 10, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | GPS 2 IP | Anchor & Course |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $7.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.2 (15 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 58.5% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 15 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Every 3 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | — |
| Best chart rank | #29 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 — better | 18.2 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 13 MB | 30 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Angus Oliver | Michal Sidorczyk |
In-app purchases
GPS 2 IP
No in-app purchases
Anchor & Course
- Full access 1 month$1.991 Month
- Full access 6 months$9.996 Months
- Full access 1 year$14.991 Year
- 1-Month Access (One-Time)$2.99
- 6-Months Access (One-Time)$12.99
- 1-Year Access (One-Time)$17.99
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- Lifetime Full Access$49.99








