# NOAA CBIBS vs Actual Currents

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | NOAA CBIBS | Actual Currents |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | **[4.7 (20 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/actual-currents/id6761431005/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **20** |
| Positive reviews | 46.2% of reviews | **60.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 9 months | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | **#138** |
| Size | 15 MB | 22 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.5 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Chesapeake Conservancy](https://appshunter.io/developer/439920951) | [Luka Catipovic](https://appshunter.io/developer/1889586305) |

## What reviewers say

### NOAA CBIBS

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/noaa-cbibs/id439920948)

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:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Actual Currents

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/actual-currents/id6761431005)

**Currently charting:** #138 Top Grossing · Weather (US App Store)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pro monthly | $2.99 | per month |
| Unlimited monthly | $4.99 | per month |
| Unlimited Yearly | $39.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked 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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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*