Comparison

AIS Radar vs C

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

Head to head
About

AIS Radar

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
Read full description

AIS Radar displays AIS (Automatic Identification System) data received from marine AIS transponders/receivers such as the ExNC 101, Weatherdock easyAIS or Digital Yacht, over a WiFi network. For AIS devices without built-in WiFi support, an external serial-to-WiFi adapter such as the SEAMate1A® Lite, the Brookhouse iMux, the Roving Networks RN-370 or the Digi Connect® Wi-SP can be used. Alternatively, the application can display AIS data received from public internet AIS feeds such as the San Francisco Exploratorium. IMPORTANT: Please note that you will need to have an AIS transponder or receiver device capable of sending AIS data over a WiFi connection. Please see the Support Website for information regarding supported devices and setup tips. Features include: * Radar PPI-like display of AIS targets with course/heading and speed information. * Selectable display range. * Symbols for different targets (vessels with AIS class A and class B transponders, SAR aircraft and navigation aids). * Computes closest point of approach (CPA) and time to closest point of approach (TCPA) for AIS targets. * CPA/TCPA warning: The app will warn if the CPA (distance) or TCPA (in minutes) of another vessel is below a specified minimum. * Tap to select targets, double-tap to display detailed information about selected targets. * Pinch gestures and +/- buttons to change display range. * Different radar display modes: Heading Up, Course Up and North Up. * Optionally hide slow moving (or non-moving) targets from Radar view. * List and detail views for AIS targets, displaying all available information about a target in clear form. * Viewer for AIS safety-related broadcast messages. * Supports iPhone and iPad, in portrait or landscape orientation. * AIS/NMEA data can be received via a TCP connection or UDP. DISCLAIMER: This application is no replacement for professional marine equipment. Always adhere to the principles of good seamanship and use proper caution and common sense when commanding a ship.

About

C

Access up-to-date nautical charts for global exploration and planning. Save points of interest and routes, record tracks, and view marine weather. Upgrade for offline maps, GPS, and advanced features like shaded relief and AIS.

Highlights
  • Free chart viewer
  • Autorouting
  • Personal waypoints
  • Track recording
  • Marine weather forecasts
  • Offline map downloads
  • High-resolution bathymetry
Features
Read full description

The C-MAP® App is the perfect companion for recreational boaters and water-lovers. Available on Mobile, Tablet or PC, you’ll always be able to access the most up to date C-MAP charts, wherever in the world you are. With full features, allowing you to explore, plan and save Points of Interest and Routes from wherever you are, the C-MAP App is the perfect aid to navigation for savvy boaters. The C-MAP App Includes: - FREE Chart Viewer - Autorouting™ – find the best route to your favourite places - Personal Waypoints - Track Recording - Thousands of pre-loaded Points of Interest - Marine Weather Forecast - Weather Along the Route - Weather Overlay - Chart Personalisation - Import & Export GPX Files – share your Routes, Tracks or Waypoints with friends - Measure Distance Tool Upgrade to Premium to unlock additional features, including: - Full GPS Functionality - Offline Map Downloads - REVEAL Shaded Relief - High-Resolution Bathymetry - Custom Depth Shading - AIS & C-MAP Traffic Try before you buy… Experience C-MAP App Premium for yourself, with a free 14-day trial (3-day trial in Denmark and Sweden). The C-MAP App updates on a continual basis, ensuring the latest, most up-to-date maps are always at your fingertips. Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal. Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase. Links to Your Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that publication, where applicable Privacy Policy: https://www.brunswick.com/dsar Terms of Service https://appchart.c-map.com/tos.html

Screenshots

AIS Radar4 screens
C4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: AIS Radar at 100% against C's 51%. AIS Radar also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 11) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.1). C's advantage is price (Free vs $6.99) and rating (4.5 vs 4.0). On ads 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

C is free to download; AIS Radar costs $6.99 up front. C sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. AIS Radar asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

C holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: C has 2.3K 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 51% of C's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

AIS Radar ships an update every 7 months, C every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 10, 2026 and September 26, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard9 real differences · 2 level
AIS Radar versus C: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAIS RadarC
Price$6.99Free — better
Rating4.0 (1 ratings)4.5 (2.3K ratings) — better
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better51.0% of reviews
Number of ratings12.3K — better
Update frequencyEvery 7 monthsEvery 6 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
Best chart rank—#103 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size3 MB169 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGuenter ObiltschnigNavico Norway AS

Customer experience

AIS Radar

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

C

All ratings2,347 ratings
Positive89.3%
Neutral3.1%
Negative7.6%
Written reviews512 reviews
Positive51.0%
Neutral8.6%
Negative40.4%

Bugs and requests

AIS Radar

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

C

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • App crashes when trying to save tracks or routes
  • Offline maps fail to download or disappear
  • Depth/contour data inaccurate or not displaying properly
  • Login and authentication issues preventing access

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add mast height/clearance feature
  • Improve AIS integration and functionality
  • Allow more customization of map views and data
  • Provide better customer support and communication

In-app purchases

None

AIS Radar

No in-app purchases

10 purchases

C

Subscriptions10
  • Embark Advanced Weather$1.991 Month
  • Embark Offline Maps USA$2.491 Month
  • Annual Subscription14 Days trial$14.991 Year
Show 7 more
  • Annual subscription14 Days trial$14.991 Year
  • Region14 Days trial2 variants$18.991 Year
  • North America14 Days trial$23.491 Year
  • Maps Lakes South East USA14 Days trial$25.991 Year
  • Annual Subscription14 Days trial$29.991 Year
  • Caribbean14 Days trial$32.991 Year
  • Maps USA East Coast & Bahamas14 Days trial$39.991 Year

Questions

Is AIS Radar free?
AIS Radar costs $6.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is C free?
C is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, AIS Radar or C?
C is rated higher. AIS Radar averages 4.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while C averages 4.5 from 2.3K ratings.
Do AIS Radar or C have ads?
Neither AIS Radar nor C shows ads.
Which is updated more often, AIS Radar or C?
AIS Radar ships an update every 7 months, and C every 6 weeks. Most recently, AIS Radar was updated on September 10, 2026 and C on September 26, 2026.

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