NOAA CBIBS vs Pilot Charts
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Real-time weather data
- Real-time water data
- Chesapeake Bay information
- Supports bay management
- Improves safety and environment
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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.
Pilot Charts
Access historical wind and wave data for oceans worldwide, presented in monthly charts. Explore conditions for the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, with additional regions available for free download.
- Monthly wind and wave condition charts
- Oceanic data for Atlantic, Pacific, Indian Oceans
- Historical data from the last century
- Free additional chart downloads
- Preloaded North Atlantic chart
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Pilot charts show the prevailing wind and wave conditions in our oceans for each month based on statistics of the last century. This app gives you easy access to all those and lets you browse them month by month. The charts are provided by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and cover: - Atlantic - Pacific - Indian Ocean - Caribbean Sea The app comes preloaded with the chart for the North Atlantic. Additional charts can be downloaded free of charge.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: NOAA CBIBS at Free against Pilot Charts's $5.99. NOAA CBIBS also leads on update cadence (every 9 months vs every 23 months) and review sentiment (46% vs 33%). Pilot Charts's advantage is iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.5). On ads, in-app purchases 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
NOAA CBIBS is free to download; Pilot Charts costs $5.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
NOAA CBIBS ships an update every 9 months, Pilot Charts every 23 months. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and October 18, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | NOAA CBIBS | Pilot Charts |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $5.99 |
| Rating | — | 1.7 (3 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 46.2% of reviews — better | 33.3% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | — | 3 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 9 months — better | Every 23 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free — better | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 18.5 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 15 MB | 54 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Chesapeake Conservancy | Johannes Wagener |
Customer experience
NOAA CBIBS
Pilot Charts
In-app purchases
NOAA CBIBS
No in-app purchases
Pilot Charts
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is NOAA CBIBS free?
Is Pilot Charts free?
Do NOAA CBIBS or Pilot Charts have ads?
Which is updated more often, NOAA CBIBS or Pilot Charts?
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