NavRules vs Nautical Rules
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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.
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.
- 1,200+ practice questions
- Inland and International waters coverage
- Detailed explanations
- Customizable tests
- Offline study capability
- Progress tracking dashboard
- Accuracy by rule statistics
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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.
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Verdict
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
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.
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.
NavRules ships an update every 13 months, Nautical Rules every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.
| Parameter | NavRules | Nautical Rules |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $15.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 3.9 (19 ratings) | 5.0 (12 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 68.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 19 — better | 12 |
| Update frequency | Every 13 months | Every 3 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Free — better |
| Best chart rank | #31 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 8.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 17 MB | 5 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Mintaka Innovations | Joseph Kim |
Customer experience
NavRules
Nautical Rules
In-app purchases
NavRules
No in-app purchases
Nautical Rules
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is NavRules free?
Is Nautical Rules free?
Which has better reviews, NavRules or Nautical Rules?
Do NavRules or Nautical Rules have ads?
Which is updated more often, NavRules or Nautical Rules?
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