Comparison

NavRules vs Nautical Rules

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

Head to head
About

NavRules

Master nautical navigation rules with practice exams and a comprehensive rule book. Focus your learning by customizing tests based on question type, rule, and filter. Track your progress and review answers with detailed explanations.

Highlights
  • Customizable practice exams
  • International and US Inland rules
  • Question filtering by text or rule
  • Progress tracking by rule
  • Flash card mode with diagrams
  • Integrated Rule Book
  • Over 1200 questions
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

The best way to learn the Nautical Rules of the Road. NavRules provides all the questions, answers, explanations and resources to help you master the Nautical Rules of the road. For all mariners, from kayakers to ship captains. Product Description: Based on the International and US Inland Navigation Rules along with the published edition of the USCG database of license exam questions, this App helps you master the Navigation Rules using a practice exam driven methodology. Using NavRules you generate practice exams where you: • control the number of questions, • control the scope of the questions (international vs inland), • specify a filter (a text string that must appear in the question), • specify the rule the questions pertain to, • identify whether the question has been previously answered or not, or answered incorrectly or not. This gives you control over the tests that are generated so you can focus your learning experience. After taking an exam you can review the results to see: • which questions were answered correctly, • for incorrect answers the correct answer, • the rule the question pertains to so you can understand the context of the question. Every practice exam you take tracks your results relative the the Navigation Rules Question Pool. By browsing the Question Pool you can see your progress on understanding each rule. For each rule NavRules reposts: • your coverage (number of questions you have answered) and, • your proficiency (the percentage of questions you have answered correctly). If you want to study a rule you can link directly to the questions related to that rule and choose the answers. In this "review" mode you get immediate feedback on whether your answer is correct (but these results are not recorded and do not impact your rule coverage or proficiency). The Flash Card mode lets you see all the diagrams used in the tests and from each of them see the questions that reference that diagram. The included Rule Book provides: • index to US Inland, International and Canadian Rules, • link to all illustrations used in the Navigation Rules, • link to all vessel lights by vessel type, • definitions, • demarcation lines, • special terminology, • distress signals • references. Other features include: • over 1200 answered and referenced questions on the Navigation Rules, • complete copy of the Navigation Rules, • custom design your practice tests by number, filter, and type so you can focus on what you need to learn, • rules are clearly identified as Inland and International or both, • all practice tests results are stored until manually deleted, • Canadian Modifications to the Navigation Rules.

About

Nautical Rules

Master USCG Navigation Rules with a comprehensive question bank and smart study features. Track your progress, practice for exams, and study offline to navigate with confidence.

Highlights
  • 1,200+ practice questions
  • Inland and International waters coverage
  • Detailed explanations
  • Customizable tests
  • Offline study capability
  • Progress tracking dashboard
  • Accuracy by rule statistics
Read full description

Nautical Rules is the ultimate study companion for mastering the USCG Navigation Rules (COLREGS). Whether you're preparing for your captain's license exam or refreshing your maritime knowledge, this app provides everything you need to succeed. COMPREHENSIVE QUESTION BANK - Over 1,200 practice questions covering all Navigation Rules - Questions for both Inland and International waters - Covers Steering & Sailing Rules, Lights & Shapes, Sound Signals, and more - Detailed explanations SMART STUDY FEATURES - Take customizable tests with 10, 25, 50, or 100 questions - Practice mode with immediate feedback and explanations - Focus Area suggestions to target your weakest rules - Bookmark questions for later review - Review your mistakes to reinforce learning TRACK YOUR PROGRESS - Activity dashboard with test history and statistics - See your accuracy by rule (Rule 1, Rule 2, etc.) - Track your study streak and mastery level - View detailed results for each completed test DESIGNED FOR MARINERS - Clean, intuitive interface optimized for study sessions - No internet connection required - study anywhere - All questions based on official USCG Navigation Rules - Perfect for captains, SWO, sailors, and maritime professionals Whether you're studying for the USCG license exam, improving your seamanship skills, or just want to stay sharp on the water, Nautical Rules gives you the tools to succeed. Download now and navigate with confidence! --- Note: This app is an educational study aid and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Coast Guard. For official rules and regulations, consult the official USCG Navigation Rules publications.

Screenshots

NavRules4 screens
Nautical Rules4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Nautical Rules at Free against NavRules's $15.99. Nautical Rules also leads on rating (5.0 vs 3.9) and review sentiment (100% vs 68%). NavRules's advantage is chart position (#31 vs unranked) and iOS requirement (8.0 vs 17.0). On ratings volume, ads, in-app purchases 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Nautical Rules is free to download; NavRules costs $15.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Nautical Rules holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 19 and 12 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 68% of NavRules's written reviews are positive against 100% of Nautical Rules's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

NavRules ships an update every 13 months, Nautical Rules every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
NavRules versus Nautical Rules: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNavRulesNautical Rules
Price$15.99Free — better
Rating3.9 (19 ratings)5.0 (12 ratings) — better
Positive reviews68.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings19 — better12
Update frequencyEvery 13 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidFree — better
Best chart rank#31 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS8.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size17 MB5 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMintaka InnovationsJoseph Kim

Customer experience

NavRules

All ratings18 ratings
Positive72.2%
Neutral5.6%
Negative22.2%
Written reviews25 reviews
Positive68.0%
Neutral4.0%
Negative28.0%

Nautical Rules

All ratings4 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

NavRules

No in-app purchases

None

Nautical Rules

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is NavRules free?
NavRules costs $15.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Nautical Rules free?
Nautical Rules is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, NavRules or Nautical Rules?
Nautical Rules is rated higher. NavRules averages 3.9 out of 5 from 19 ratings, while Nautical Rules averages 5.0 from 12 ratings.
Do NavRules or Nautical Rules have ads?
Neither NavRules nor Nautical Rules shows ads.
Which is updated more often, NavRules or Nautical Rules?
NavRules ships an update every 13 months, and Nautical Rules every 3 weeks. Most recently, NavRules was updated on October 24, 2026 and Nautical Rules on October 24, 2026.

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