# NMEAremote vs Cortex Onboard

The clearest difference is price: Cortex Onboard at Free against NMEAremote's $23.99. Cortex Onboard also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1). NMEAremote's advantage is rating (4.6 vs 3.8) and review sentiment (66% vs 56%). On ratings volume, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Cortex Onboard is free to download; NMEAremote costs $23.99 up front. NMEAremote sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Cortex Onboard asks for nothing beyond the download.

NMEAremote holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 8 and 12 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 66% of NMEAremote's written reviews are positive against 56% of Cortex Onboard's.

NMEAremote ships an update every 3 months, Cortex Onboard every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | NMEAremote | Cortex Onboard |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $23.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | **[4.6 (8 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nmearemote/id412806204/reviews)** | [3.8 (12 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cortex-onboard/id1483406085/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 8 | **12** |
| Positive reviews | **65.7% of reviews** | 55.6% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free** |
| Size | 10 MB | 22 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 18.5 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [zapfware](https://appshunter.io/developer/348005795) | [Garmin New Zealand Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/557485484) |

## What reviewers say

### NMEAremote

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nmearemote/id412806204)

This app provides real-time marine data from your ship's navigation system directly to your mobile device. Monitor navigation, wind, and depth information at a glance for enhanced safety and performance on the water.

**Highlights:** Real-time marine data display, Supports NMEA 0183, NMEA 2000, SignalK, Customizable dashboard, Alarms and logging, Apple Watch integration, Server/Repeater functionality

**Features:** Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Expedition | Free | one-time |


### Cortex Onboard

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cortex-onboard/id1483406085)

Configure and update your marine electronics, and monitor vital boat data remotely. Receive alerts, view AIS information, and manage anchor watch from your mobile device.

**Highlights:** Configure and update Cortex devices, View AIS information and alerts, Manage Anchor Watch remotely, Monitor boat sensors and NMEA 2000 instruments, View battery, pressure, and position data

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is NMEAremote free?

NMEAremote costs $23.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Is Cortex Onboard free?

Cortex Onboard is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, NMEAremote or Cortex Onboard?

NMEAremote is rated higher. NMEAremote averages 4.6 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while Cortex Onboard averages 3.8 from 12 ratings.

### Do NMEAremote or Cortex Onboard have ads?

Neither NMEAremote nor Cortex Onboard shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, NMEAremote or Cortex Onboard?

NMEAremote ships an update every 3 months, and Cortex Onboard every 2 months. Most recently, NMEAremote was updated on November 6, 2026 and Cortex Onboard on November 3, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*