Comparison

NOAA CBIBS vs Actual Currents

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

Actual Currents

Visualize real-time tidal currents with animated particles and a detailed heatmap on an interactive nautical map. Plan your trips with confidence by scrubbing through time to see how currents change throughout the day, with options for global ocean currents and wind overlays.

Highlights
  • Animated tidal current visualization
  • Real-time wind overlay
  • Interactive nautical map
  • Time scrubber for predictions
  • Route planning with current analysis
  • Global ocean currents view
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Actual Currents brings tidal currents to life with real-time animated particle visualization on a nautical-grade interactive map. See the actual flow of water in your area — not just tide times, but the speed and direction of tidal currents rendered as thousands of flowing particles over a detailed heatmap. Plan your trip with confidence by scrubbing through time to see how currents change throughout the day. FEATURES • Animated tidal current visualization with speed-colored particles and GPU-accelerated heatmap • Time scrubber — view current predictions for any time, past or future • Globe view with global ocean currents when zoomed out • Real-time wind overlay with global weather data • ENC nautical chart data with navigation aids, depth soundings, and depth contours • Satellite, bathymetry, and nautical basemap options • Route planning with current-aware analysis • Trip logging with GPS drift tracking • Location search to jump to any harbor or waterway COVERAGE • US Atlantic coast — Maine to Florida • US Pacific coast — Washington to California • Gulf of Mexico • Global ocean surface currents BUILT FOR BOATERS Whether you're sailing, fishing, kayaking, or navigating commercially, understanding tidal currents is critical for safety and efficiency. Actual Currents gives you an intuitive, visual understanding of water movement that tide tables alone can't provide. SUBSCRIPTION TIERS • Basic (free) — Real-time currents within ±3 hours of now • Pro ($4.99/mo) — Full historical and forecast access • Unlimited ($39.99/yr) — Full historical and forecast access with 7-day free trial Terms of Use: https://www.actualcurrents.com/terms.html Privacy Policy: https://www.actualcurrents.com/privacy.html

Screenshots

NOAA CBIBS4 screens
Actual Currents4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: NOAA CBIBS at none against Actual Currents's 3. Actual Currents's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 9 months) and review sentiment (60% vs 46%). On price, 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

Both are free to download. Actual Currents sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. NOAA CBIBS asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

NOAA CBIBS ships an update every 9 months, Actual Currents fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 13, 2026 and September 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
NOAA CBIBS versus Actual Currents: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNOAA CBIBSActual Currents
PriceFreeFree
Rating—4.7 (20 ratings) — better
Positive reviews46.2% of reviews60.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings—20 — better
Update frequencyEvery 9 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank—#163 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS18.515.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size15 MB22 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperChesapeake ConservancyLuka Catipovic

Customer experience

NOAA CBIBS

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

Actual Currents

All ratings20 ratings
Positive90.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative10.0%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive60.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative40.0%

In-app purchases

None

NOAA CBIBS

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

Actual Currents

Subscriptions3
  • Pro monthly$2.991 Month
  • Unlimited monthly$4.991 Month
  • Unlimited Yearly7 Days trial$39.991 Year

Questions

Is NOAA CBIBS free?
NOAA CBIBS is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Actual Currents free?
Actual Currents is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do NOAA CBIBS or Actual Currents have ads?
Neither NOAA CBIBS nor Actual Currents shows ads.
Which is updated more often, NOAA CBIBS or Actual Currents?
NOAA CBIBS ships an update every 9 months, and Actual Currents fortnightly. Most recently, NOAA CBIBS was updated on September 13, 2026 and Actual Currents on September 10, 2026.

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