# AIS Radar vs VesselFinder

AIS Radar and VesselFinder both sit at 4.0 stars, but that hides the real split: 100% of AIS Radar's written reviews are positive against 28% of VesselFinder's. AIS Radar also leads on ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). VesselFinder's advantage is price (Free vs $6.99) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 7 months). On rating, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

VesselFinder is free to download; AIS Radar costs $6.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

VesselFinder holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: VesselFinder has 274 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 100% of AIS Radar's written reviews are positive against 28% of VesselFinder's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

AIS Radar ships an update every 7 months, VesselFinder fortnightly. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | AIS Radar | VesselFinder |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $6.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [4.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ais-radar/id425345530/reviews) | **[4.2 (274 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vesselfinder/id918080862/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 1 | **274** |
| Positive reviews | **100.0% of reviews** | 28.2% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 7 months | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 3 MB | 47 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Guenter Obiltschnig](https://appshunter.io/developer/425345533) | [AstraPaging Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/438160792) |

## 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


### VesselFinder

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vesselfinder/id918080862)

Track ships and monitor maritime traffic globally in real-time. Access detailed vessel information, movement history, and predicted routes. Ideal for maritime professionals and enthusiasts alike.

**Highlights:** Real-time vessel tracking, Vessel movement history, Predicted routes and ETAs, Comprehensive vessel particulars, Port call details, My Fleet for favorite vessels, Weather overlays

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Simple and intuitive user interface
- 💰 Free version provides basic functionality
- 🗺️ Clear map display with sea blue and land green
- 📊 Comprehensive vessel information available
- ⚓ Good for casual ship tracking and hobbyists

**What reviewers complain about**

- ⏱️ Severely outdated vessel position data (days old)
- 🐛 App freezes on startup/splash screen frequently
- 💸 Misleading free version with limited functionality
- 🔄 Inconsistent and unreliable data updates
- ❌ Search functionality requires paid version

**Reported bugs**

- App freezes on splash screen and won't load
- Crashes when attempting to zoom on map
- Black screen display on certain devices
- App won't open or opens after long delays
- Crashes on iOS 11 and newer versions

**Requested features**

- Real-time GPS tracking instead of delayed AIS data
- Distance measurement tool restoration
- German language support
- Destination and departure information display
- Ability to remove ads without expensive pro version


## Frequently asked questions

### Is AIS Radar free?

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

### Is VesselFinder free?

VesselFinder is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, AIS Radar or VesselFinder?

VesselFinder is rated higher. AIS Radar averages 4.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while VesselFinder averages 4.2 from 274 ratings.

### Do AIS Radar or VesselFinder have ads?

VesselFinder shows ads; AIS Radar does not.

### Which is updated more often, AIS Radar or VesselFinder?

AIS Radar ships an update every 7 months, and VesselFinder fortnightly. Most recently, AIS Radar was updated on October 24, 2026 and VesselFinder on October 24, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*