Comparison

NOAA CBIBS vs PredictWind Offshore Weather

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

Head to head
About

NOAA CBIBS

Access real-time weather and water data collected by smart buoys in the Chesapeake Bay. This information supports the use and management of a healthy bay, improving safety, economy, and environmental protection.

Highlights
  • Real-time weather data
  • Real-time water data
  • Chesapeake Bay information
  • Supports bay management
  • Improves safety and environment
Features
Read full description

NOAA Chesapeake Bay Interpretive Buoy System (CBIBS) buoys collect and transmit real-time meteorological and oceanographic data. CBIBS buoys stationed up and down the Chesapeake Bay update information on air and water temperature, wind speed and direction, wave height, and more. The app also includes quick and easy links to NOAA marine forecasts and tide information. CBIBS, which is operated and maintained by the NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office, supports the use and management of a healthy Chesapeake Bay by providing data and information needed to improve safety, enhance the economy, and protect the environment. Data are also available at www.buoybay.noaa.gov.

About

PredictWind Offshore Weather

Access detailed offshore weather forecasts and marine tools for coastal and offshore passages. Download GRIB files, view weather routes, and utilize advanced marine data for safe and efficient navigation.

Highlights
  • Download GRIB files
  • View weather routes
  • Access forecast models
  • Marine tools
  • Weather routing
  • GPS tracking
  • AIS data
Features
Read full description

The Offshore App allows you to seamlessly download multiple GRIB files for your coastal and offshore passages. Quickly download and view GRIB files, weather routes, GMDSS maps and text forecasts, AIS data and satellite imagery. Access all the world’s top ranking forecast models for reliable and accurate weather data, including ECMWF, SPIRE, UKMO, GFS and more. Our very own PWG & PWE models offer incredible accuracy and a record-breaking 1km resolution. In addition to forecasts, the Offshore App also provides a suite of powerful marine tools to save you time and keep you safe at sea. Weather Routing and Departure Planning is calculated in the PredictWind cloud at the highest resolution. The finished route is then sent back to your boat in an incredibly small file size which is ideal for low bandwidth satellite and SSB connections. The Offshore App works with Wi-Fi, mobile networks, and most satellite connections using an Iridium GO!, Globalstar or Optimizer device. ADDITIONAL FEATURES GRIB file viewer: High resolution forecasts maps with animated streamlines, wind barbs or arrows. Tables: The ultimate dashboard for detailed analysis. Graphs: Compare multiple parameters at the same time. GMDSS Forecasts: View either in the traditional text format or on a map. Destination Spot Forecast: Know exactly what the weather is doing at your destination. Live Observations: Know what’s happening right now out on the water. Ocean Data: See what’s happening under the waves with ocean and tidal currents, and sea temperature. GPS Tracking: Get a free customised GPS tracking page for your blog or website. AIS Data: View over 280,000 vessels worldwide on the AIS network.

Screenshots

NOAA CBIBS4 screens
PredictWind Offshore Weather4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: PredictWind Offshore Weather at monthly against NOAA CBIBS's every 9 months. PredictWind Offshore Weather also leads on review sentiment (54% vs 46%) and iOS requirement (15.4 vs 18.5). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

NOAA CBIBS ships an update every 9 months, PredictWind Offshore Weather monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
NOAA CBIBS versus PredictWind Offshore Weather: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNOAA CBIBSPredictWind Offshore Weather
PriceFreeFree
Rating—3.5 (41 ratings) — better
Positive reviews46.2% of reviews54.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings—41 — better
Update frequencyEvery 9 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS18.515.4 — better
Further details — not scored
Size15 MB527 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperChesapeake ConservancyPredictWind Limited

Customer experience

NOAA CBIBS

All ratings8 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews26 reviews
Positive46.2%
Neutral7.7%
Negative46.2%

PredictWind Offshore Weather

All ratings41 ratings
Positive58.5%
Neutral7.3%
Negative34.1%
Written reviews35 reviews
Positive54.3%
Neutral5.7%
Negative40.0%

In-app purchases

None

NOAA CBIBS

No in-app purchases

None

PredictWind Offshore Weather

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is NOAA CBIBS free?
NOAA CBIBS is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is PredictWind Offshore Weather free?
PredictWind Offshore Weather is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do NOAA CBIBS or PredictWind Offshore Weather have ads?
Neither NOAA CBIBS nor PredictWind Offshore Weather shows ads.
Which is updated more often, NOAA CBIBS or PredictWind Offshore Weather?
NOAA CBIBS ships an update every 9 months, and PredictWind Offshore Weather monthly. Most recently, NOAA CBIBS was updated on October 1, 2026 and PredictWind Offshore Weather on October 15, 2026.

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