NOAA CBIBS vs Actual Currents
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.
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.
- Animated tidal current visualization
- Real-time wind overlay
- Interactive nautical map
- Time scrubber for predictions
- Route planning with current analysis
- Global ocean currents view
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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
Verdict
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
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.
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.
| Parameter | NOAA CBIBS | Actual Currents |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | 4.7 (20 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 46.2% of reviews | 60.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | — | 20 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 9 months | Fortnightly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | #163 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 18.5 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 15 MB | 22 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Chesapeake Conservancy | Luka Catipovic |
Customer experience
NOAA CBIBS
Actual Currents
In-app purchases
NOAA CBIBS
No in-app purchases
Actual Currents
- Pro monthly$2.991 Month
- Unlimited monthly$4.991 Month
- Unlimited Yearly7 Days trial$39.991 Year
Questions
Is NOAA CBIBS free?
Is Actual Currents free?
Do NOAA CBIBS or Actual Currents have ads?
Which is updated more often, NOAA CBIBS or Actual Currents?
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