Comparison

GPS 2 IP vs NMEA GPS Tether

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

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!

About

NMEA GPS Tether

Share GPS data from another device to your iPad over WiFi. Ideal for devices lacking built-in GPS, allowing you to view location information on a map. Offers customizable runtime and update frequency.

Highlights
  • Receive GPS data from other devices
  • View location on map
  • Customizable runtime
  • Adjust map update frequency
  • Auto-center map with history trail
Features
Read full description

This app (receiver) connects to another device (sender, which will provide GPS coordinates data). Useful on devices where GPS is unavailable. To use, you will need to a server app, NMEA device or a telnet connection to send the GPS data. If you need support or having issues with NMEA, contact us at support@bricatta.com or visit us at gpstether.bricatta.com Summary : To share and tether NMEA GPS data between other compatible devices, over WiFi network to your iPad, and view it on the map. Useful for those iPads without GPS. Want to share and tether GPS infomation from other devices like NMEA server or from another device, to your iPad using WiFi ? This solution is made for you... plain and simple. Check out the video at www.bricatta.com Just key in the IP address and port number, and you are all set to view the location on the map. *The location shown is based on the other device's GPS location (NMEA server/talker) * Trial version will only run for 5 minutes. Purchase full version in here (app's Settings page) using the in-app feature. Feature Details : - Able to receive GPS data from another device using Bricatta's server app, and view the location on your iPad using this app. - Able to receive NMEA GPS data from a NMEA compatible talker/server, and view the location on your iPad using this app. This feature is still under final-beta testing. - Set how many minutes you want this app to run (runtime), with 0 as unlimited runtime - Set how frequent to update the map with pointers, to save battery power. - Auto-center the map at the latest location with history trail. Requirements : - WiFi - Location info (optional, used locally on device only to show device location on map. Data is not shared or sent to other devices) Note : This app solution is not meant to tether GPS from iPhone. Please read the FAQ at gpstether.bricatta.com for more info.

Screenshots

GPS 2 IP4 screens
NMEA GPS Tether3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: NMEA GPS Tether at Free against GPS 2 IP's $7.99. NMEA GPS Tether also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.2). GPS 2 IP's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and review sentiment (58% vs 25%). 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

NMEA GPS Tether is free to download; GPS 2 IP costs $7.99 up front. NMEA GPS Tether sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. GPS 2 IP asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

NMEA GPS Tether holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: GPS 2 IP has 15 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 58% of GPS 2 IP's written reviews are positive against 25% of NMEA GPS Tether's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

GPS 2 IP ships an update every 3 months, NMEA GPS Tether every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 28, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
GPS 2 IP versus NMEA GPS Tether: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGPS 2 IPNMEA GPS Tether
Price$7.99Free — better
Rating4.2 (15 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews58.3% of reviews — better25.0% of reviews
Number of ratings15 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
Best chart rank#27 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.615.6
Further details — not scored
Size13 MB39 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAngus OliverLee Kien Yeong

Customer experience

GPS 2 IP

All ratings15 ratings
Positive80.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative20.0%
Written reviews60 reviews
Positive58.3%
Neutral1.7%
Negative40.0%

NMEA GPS Tether

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive25.0%
Neutral25.0%
Negative50.0%

In-app purchases

None

GPS 2 IP

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

NMEA GPS Tether

One-time1
  • Purchase Full Version$3.99

Questions

Is GPS 2 IP free?
GPS 2 IP costs $7.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is NMEA GPS Tether free?
NMEA GPS Tether is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, GPS 2 IP or NMEA GPS Tether?
NMEA GPS Tether is rated higher. GPS 2 IP averages 4.2 out of 5 from 15 ratings, while NMEA GPS Tether averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do GPS 2 IP or NMEA GPS Tether have ads?
Neither GPS 2 IP nor NMEA GPS Tether shows ads.
Which is updated more often, GPS 2 IP or NMEA GPS Tether?
GPS 2 IP ships an update every 3 months, and NMEA GPS Tether every 2 months. Most recently, GPS 2 IP was updated on October 28, 2026 and NMEA GPS Tether on October 10, 2026.

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