iNmea logger vs Sail Buddy
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
iNmea logger
Record 30-second logs of NMEA sentences received over WiFi. This tool helps debug NMEA instrument input issues for navigation apps. Logs can be emailed for further analysis.
- Record NMEA sentence logs
- WiFi input over IP address and port
- 30-second log duration
- Email logs for analysis
- Debugging tool for navigation apps
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iNmea logger can be used to record a 30 seconds log of NMEA sentences coming in over WiFi, listening to a specific IP-address and port no. It's ment as a debugging tool for iRegatta, if you have NMEA instrument input that doesn't show up in these apps. The log can then be e-mailed to your self, or to Let's Create with a comment on what information you are missing.
Sail Buddy
This app provides a clean, easy-to-read display for course, speed, and NMEA data, complementing other navigation tools. It supports various devices, including iPads in split-screen mode and Apple Watches for hands-free data access. Route tracking and export are also available.
- Large, readable course and speed display
- NMEA data reception via WiFi
- Route tracking and export (CSV, KML, GPX, GeoJSON)
- Apple Watch integration for hands-free data
- Split View support on iPads
- Alarms for data loss and grounding
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Sail Buddy is a light-weight app that displays course, speed and NMEA data in a fast, clean interface. This is not a "kitchen sink" application with lots of features you may or may not use. If you want a clean, easy-to-read data display to complement your navigation and weather apps, this might be the one for you. Also works very well on iPads and other tablets, including "split screen" mode so you can use other navigation apps side-by-side. And the Apple Watch lets you keep track of course, speed and essential data, hands free, no matter where you are on your boat! Sail Buddy receives NMEA data from external hardware via a WiFi connection. Your hardware must support WiFi or be connected to a multiplexer with WiFi support. Sail Buddy includes a "demo" mode that plays sample NMEA data if you just want to see how the app works without connecting to an NMEA network. Features: • Displays course and speed and NMEA data in a large, easily read display • Multi-view instrument dial option for wind, course, speed and satellite views • Support for TCP and UDP connections • Support for Sail Timer wind instrument™ and Sail Timer wind vane™ • Route tracking with full capture of GPS and NMEA data • Export routes in CSV, KML, GPX and GeoJSON • Alarms for lost data connections and potential groundings (if your hardware supports depth data) • Start and stop instruments and tracking with your Apple Watch • Full support for "dark mode" • Supports Split View on newer iPads (use Sail Buddy alongside your favorite navigation app)
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: iNmea logger at Free against Sail Buddy's $4.99. iNmea logger also leads on iOS requirement (9.0 vs 16.4). On review sentiment, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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
iNmea logger is free to download; Sail Buddy costs $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
iNmea logger ships an update every 8 months, Sail Buddy every 6 months. The most recent releases landed on October 27, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | iNmea logger | Sail Buddy |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $4.99 |
| Rating | — | 4.4 (14 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | — | 14 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 8 months | Every 6 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free — better | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch |
| Requires iOS | 9.0 — better | 16.4 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 2 MB | 3 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Zifigo | Tim Herzog |
Customer experience
iNmea logger
Sail Buddy
In-app purchases
iNmea logger
No in-app purchases
Sail Buddy
No in-app purchases









