Comparison

NMEAremote LITE vs NavLink US

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

Head to head
About

NMEAremote LITE

Access your boat's marine instrument data on your iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch. Displays real-time wind, speed, depth, and GPS information in an easy-to-read dashboard. Supports NMEA 0183, NMEA 2000, and Signal K.

Highlights
  • Real-time marine instrument data
  • NMEA 0183, NMEA 2000, Signal K support
  • Customizable dashboards
  • Configurable alarms
  • Apple Watch app
  • iPad Split View support
  • VoiceOver accessibility
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Your boat's instruments, right in your hand. NMEAremote connects your iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch to your vessel's network and navigation system and brings all critical marine data to a bold, easy-to-read dashboard — wherever you are on deck. Whether you're racing offshore or cruising coastal waters, NMEAremote delivers real-time wind, speed, depth, GPS data, and more in a single display. The first NMEA app ever on the App Store, now a trusted Swiss Army knife for sailors worldwide. Broad Compatibility Supports NMEA 0183, NMEA 2000, Signal K, and MQTT from virtually any device. Compatible with a wide range of preconfigured sources including Actisense, Digital Yacht, Yacht Devices, B&G, and many more — over WiFi or Bluetooth. Your Data, Your Way All values are organized into intuitive Modules — GPS, Wind, Sounder, Environment, and more. Built for iPad — Side by Side with Your Charts NMEAremote supports iPad Split View, so you can run your favourite charting app on one side while NMEAremote displays clean, live instrument values on the other. No more switching back and forth. Your chart and your data, together on one screen. User-Friendly Interface Clean, intuitive design makes it easy for both experienced sailors and beginners to navigate. Stay Aware Configurable alarms alert you visually and audibly when any value crosses a threshold. Keep a full NMEA log for review and diagnostics. On Your Wrist & Glasses Native Apple Watch app runs independently from your iPhone. Supports ActiveLook® smartglass integration for hands-free, heads-up sailing data. Accessible to All Sailors NMEAremote supports VoiceOver, Apple's built-in screen reader. Instrument titles and live values are fully accessible — so every sailor can stay informed, eyes-free, at any time. One Purchase. No Subscriptions. No Registration required Upgrade once for the full feature set. No recurring fees, no hidden costs, no adds. No charts — just clean, reliable instrument data done right. For any details, supported values, devices and messages visit: www.zapfware.de/nmearemote/ If you have any questions, suggestions or need support please send an e-mail to ios@zapfware.de More with NMEAremote full upgrade (see: www.zapfware.de/nmearemote/feature-matrix/): Customizable Dashboards Create personalized displays tailored to your needs. Focus on the data that matters most to you. Build the dashboard you need: choose layouts, add pages, set favorites or just use the comprehensive default dashboard. Every numeric value can be individually smoothed for clean, stable readings. Set a custom color for each instrument title and value — match your cockpit aesthetics, improve readability in sunlight or at night, or color-code data by category at a glance. Your dashboard, your palette. Performance Sailing Import your polar diagram and unlock full performance analytics — Polar Speed, Target Speed, VMG, Beat & Gybe angles, and more. Ideal for racers who want that extra tenth of a knot. Supports: ∙ Expedition, A&T ∙ B&G Triton Edge, H5000, GoFree™ Modules: ∙ AIS, Battery, Engine, Navtex, Performance, Racing, Rig, Rudder, Tanks,...

About

NavLink US

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

Highlights
  • Real-time GPS plotting on NOAA charts
  • AIS overlay with compatible systems
  • Waypoint and route planning
  • Augmented reality HorizonView
  • Weather buoy data
  • A-B chart ruler
Features
Currently charting
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 NOAA data (Vector (ENC) & Raster (RNC)) · AIS overlay when connected to compatible wireless AIS system · Waypoints & routes with full route editing and planning function · Position, COG, SOG, VMG, bearing, distance & ETA displays · Configurable chart layers · 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 & easy bearing and distance measurement · All NOAA US charts are included in the price · Optional in-app purchase of CA 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. Internet AIS requires Boat Beacon app HorizonView Overlay chart & AIS objects on the iPhone or iPad camera image to create an augmented HorizonView display, that makes Nav-Aid & vessel identification simple and reliable Plan & 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 NavLink Charting NavLink utilises the latest S57 based NOAA digital mapping & features automatic free updates for 1 year. With vector mapping, you can manage your layers of data to de-clutter the screen or maximise information. NavLink supports all key charting feature such as buoys, lights, bridges, depth contours, spot depths, depth contours, anchorage & military areas, weather buoys Interfacing NavLink is compatible with all Digital Yacht's wireless NMEA devices such as the iAIS, WLN10, WLN10HS, NavLink, iNavHub & PilotLink that stream wireless AIS data to your Apple device If you have a WiFi-only iPad you will need an external Bluetooth GPS receiver to enable navigation. 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 Subscriptions 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 US 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. Privacy policy:- http://seanav.net/digitalyacht/privacy.php Terms and conditions:- http://seanav.net/dyiostsandcs.php Safety Notice NavLink & the charts are intended to be used as 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 NOAA charts. Third Party Licenses and Notices NOTICE: US Marine Charts are derived from official NOAA Electronic Navigational Charts.

Screenshots

NMEAremote LITE4 screens
NavLink US4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: NMEAremote LITE at $3.99 against NavLink US's $30.99. NMEAremote LITE also leads on update cadence (every 3 months vs every 6 months) and ratings volume (3 vs 1). NavLink US's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.7). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model and chart position 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

NMEAremote LITE costs $3.99 and NavLink US $30.99 up front. NMEAremote LITE sells 2 one-off in-app purchases and NavLink US sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

NavLink US holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 1 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

NMEAremote LITE ships an update every 3 months, NavLink US every 6 months. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and August 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
NMEAremote LITE versus NavLink US: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNMEAremote LITENavLink US
Price$3.99 — better$30.99
Rating4.7 (3 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews42.9% of reviews—
Number of ratings3 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 3 months — betterEvery 6 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationPaidPaid
Best chart rank#122 — better#186
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.011.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size11 MB28 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperzapfwareDigitalYacht Ltd.

Customer experience

NMEAremote LITE

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews14 reviews
Positive42.9%
Neutral14.3%
Negative42.9%

NavLink US

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

NMEAremote LITE

One-time2
  • ExpeditionFree
  • Upgrade$19.99
4 purchases

NavLink US

Subscriptions4
  • Weather charts$7.991 Year
  • UK Charts$16.991 Year
  • US Chart Updates$19.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Canadian Charts$29.991 Year

Questions

Is NMEAremote LITE free?
NMEAremote LITE costs $3.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is NavLink US free?
NavLink US costs $30.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, NMEAremote LITE or NavLink US?
NavLink US is rated higher. NMEAremote LITE averages 4.7 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while NavLink US averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do NMEAremote LITE or NavLink US have ads?
Neither NMEAremote LITE nor NavLink US shows ads.
Which is updated more often, NMEAremote LITE or NavLink US?
NMEAremote LITE ships an update every 3 months, and NavLink US every 6 months. Most recently, NMEAremote LITE was updated on September 21, 2026 and NavLink US on August 20, 2026.
Which is more popular, NMEAremote LITE or NavLink US?
NMEAremote LITE currently peaks at #122 in the App Store charts, and NavLink US at #186. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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