# AIS Radar vs Navionics® Boating

The clearest difference is review sentiment: AIS Radar at 100% against Navionics® Boating's 15%. AIS Radar also leads on rating (4.0 vs 2.9) and in-app purchases (none vs 15). Navionics® Boating's advantage is price (Free vs $6.99) and ratings volume (2.3K vs 1). On ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Navionics® Boating is free to download; AIS Radar costs $6.99 up front. Navionics® Boating sells 15 in-app purchases, starting at $49.99 per year. AIS Radar asks for nothing beyond the download.

AIS Radar holds the better App Store score, 4.0 against 2.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Navionics® Boating has 2.3K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of AIS Radar's written reviews are positive against 15% of Navionics® Boating's.

AIS Radar ships an update every 7 months, Navionics® Boating every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 10, 2026 and September 27, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | AIS Radar | Navionics® Boating |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $6.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | **[4.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ais-radar/id425345530/reviews)** | [2.9 (2.3K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/navionics-boating/id744920098/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 1 | **2.3K** |
| Positive reviews | **100.0% of reviews** | 14.9% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 7 months | **Every 6 weeks** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Best chart rank | — | **#4** |
| Size | 3 MB | 122 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Guenter Obiltschnig](https://appshunter.io/developer/425345533) | [Garmin](https://appshunter.io/developer/411046952) |

## What reviewers say

### AIS Radar

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ais-radar/id425345530)

View Automatic Identification System (AIS) data from marine transponders or public internet feeds. Displays target information, calculates closest point of approach, and offers customizable radar views. Requires an AIS device or adapter for WiFi connectivity.

**Highlights:** Radar PPI-like display of AIS targets, Calculates CPA and TCPA, CPA/TCPA warning system, Selectable display range, Different radar display modes, List and detail views for targets, Viewer for AIS safety messages

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### Navionics® Boating

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/navionics-boating/id744920098)

**Currently charting:** #4 Top Grossing · Navigation, #113 Top Free · Navigation (US App Store)

Access detailed nautical charts and advanced boating features offline on your mobile device. Plan trips with dock-to-dock guidance, check weather and tides, and connect with a community of boaters. Ideal for cruising, fishing, sailing, and diving.

**Highlights:** Offline nautical charts, HD bathymetry maps, Dock-to-dock route planning, Weather and tide forecasts, Community edits and recommendations, Track recording and sharing

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (15)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Norway | $49.99 | per year |
| Baltic Sea | $49.99 | per year |
| Australia & New Zealand | $49.99 | per year |
| Africa & Middle East | $49.99 | per year |
| Mexico, Caribbean to Brazil | $49.99 | per year |
| Indian Ocean and South China | $49.99 | per year |
| Pacific Islands | $49.99 | per year |
| US & Canada | $49.99 | per year |
| UK, Ireland & Holland | $49.99 | per year |
| Chile, Argentina&Easter Island | $49.99 | per year |
| China Sea & Japan | $49.99 | per year |
| Central and West Europe | $59.99 | per year |
| Mediterranean & Black Sea | $59.99 | per year |
| Adriatic & Ionian Seas | $69.99 | per year |
| Scandinavia S. & Germany N. | $99.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Great navigation app
- 🗺️ Detailed charts and maps
- ⚓ Useful for boating and sailing
- 💰 Good value for money

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs
- 🔒 Login issues and unreliable offline access
- 💰 Expensive subscription model
- 🗺️ Inaccurate or outdated map data

**Reported bugs**

- GPS signal loss and position tracking issues
- Inability to download or access previously purchased maps
- Constant requirement to log in, even offline

**Requested features**

- Add anchor alarm feature
- Improve route planning and waypoint functionality
- Provide better support for multiple devices
- Enhance user interface and customization options


## Frequently asked questions

### Is AIS Radar free?

AIS Radar costs $6.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Navionics® Boating free?

Navionics® Boating is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, AIS Radar or Navionics® Boating?

AIS Radar is rated higher. AIS Radar averages 4.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while Navionics® Boating averages 2.9 from 2.3K ratings.

### Do AIS Radar or Navionics® Boating have ads?

Neither AIS Radar nor Navionics® Boating shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, AIS Radar or Navionics® Boating?

AIS Radar ships an update every 7 months, and Navionics® Boating every 6 weeks. Most recently, AIS Radar was updated on September 10, 2026 and Navionics® Boating on September 27, 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.*