# AIS Radar vs Aqua Map Boating

The clearest difference is price: Aqua Map Boating at Free against AIS Radar's $6.99. Aqua Map Boating also leads on rating (4.7 vs 4.0) and update cadence (every 6 days vs every 7 months). AIS Radar's advantage is review sentiment (100% vs 64%) and in-app purchases (none vs 17). On ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Aqua Map Boating is free to download; AIS Radar costs $6.99 up front. Aqua Map Boating sells 17 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per year. AIS Radar asks for nothing beyond the download.

Aqua Map Boating holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Aqua Map Boating has 14K 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 64% of Aqua Map Boating'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, Aqua Map Boating every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on September 10, 2026 and September 27, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | AIS Radar | Aqua Map Boating |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $6.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [4.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ais-radar/id425345530/reviews) | **[4.7 (14K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aqua-map-boating/id919552329/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 1 | **14K** |
| Positive reviews | **100.0% of reviews** | 64.5% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 7 months | **Every 6 days** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Best chart rank | — | **#87** |
| Size | 3 MB | 171 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 13.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Guenter Obiltschnig](https://appshunter.io/developer/425345533) | [GEC s.r.l.](https://appshunter.io/developer/675562886) |

## 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


### Aqua Map Boating

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aqua-map-boating/id919552329)

**Currently charting:** #87 Top Grossing · Navigation (US App Store)

This app provides official, weekly updated nautical charts for marine navigation. It allows for offline map downloads, GPS track recording, and integration with onboard instruments. Enhance your boating safety and experience with advanced features like weather forecasts and AIS collision detection.

**Highlights:** Official NOAA nautical charts, Offline map downloads, GPS track recording, Tides and currents predictions, Anchor Alarm, NMEA instrument connectivity, AIS with collision detection

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

**In-app purchases (17)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Florida - NOAA Nautical chart | $4.99 | per year |
| Alabama to Texas charts | $4.99 | per year |
| Cape Cod to Chesapeake Charts | $4.99 | per year |
| New England - Nautical charts | $4.99 | per year |
| Virginia to Georgia - Charts | $4.99 | per year |
| Midwest-Minnesota lake charts | $4.99 | per year |
| Michigan & Great Lakes chart | $4.99 | per year |
| US - Nautical & Lakes charts | $9.99 | per year |
| Canada - nautical charts | $9.99 | per year |
| US & Canada - nautical charts | $14.99 | per year |
| Caribbean South Nautical chart | $14.99 | per year |
| Bermuda - nautical charts | $14.99 | per year |
| Aqua Map Expert | $14.99 | per year |
| Aqua Map Master | $24.99 | per year |
| Bahamas - Explorer Charts | $49.99 | per year |
| US & Canada - Nautical chart | $49.99 | one-time |
| Bahamas - Explorer Chartbooks | $139.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Excellent navigation tool
- 👍 Easy to use and intuitive
- 🗺️ Detailed and accurate charts
- 💡 Helpful features like AIS, weather, and fuel prices
- 🤝 Responsive and helpful customer support

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional issues with map downloads and disappearing charts
- 🔍 Lack of intuitive route planning functionality
- 🔍 Slow map loading and tracking issues in certain areas
- 💰 Subscription model with additional costs for map downloads

**Reported bugs**

- Inconsistent GPS tracking and positioning
- Compatibility issues on older devices

**Requested features**

- Improved route planning and optimization
- Offline map caching and seamless downloads
- Tidal and wind data overlays
- Sync capabilities across devices


## Frequently asked questions

### Is AIS Radar free?

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

### Is Aqua Map Boating free?

Aqua Map Boating is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, AIS Radar or Aqua Map Boating?

Aqua Map Boating is rated higher. AIS Radar averages 4.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while Aqua Map Boating averages 4.7 from 14K ratings.

### Do AIS Radar or Aqua Map Boating have ads?

Neither AIS Radar nor Aqua Map Boating shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, AIS Radar or Aqua Map Boating?

AIS Radar ships an update every 7 months, and Aqua Map Boating every 6 days. Most recently, AIS Radar was updated on September 10, 2026 and Aqua Map 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.*