# RYA Books vs cMate

The clearest difference is review sentiment: cMate at 87% against RYA Books's 27%. cMate also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.0) and in-app purchases (none vs 38). RYA Books's advantage is update cadence (every 3 months vs every 51 months). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. RYA Books sells 37 one-off in-app purchases. cMate asks for nothing beyond the download.

cMate holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 3 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 27% of RYA Books's written reviews are positive against 87% of cMate's.

RYA Books ships an update every 3 months, cMate every 51 months. Both last shipped on September 27, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | RYA Books | cMate |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rya-books/id451481707/reviews) | **[5.0 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cmate-lite/id1496589839/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 1 | **3** |
| Positive reviews | 27.0% of reviews | **86.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 months** | Every 51 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 110 MB | 52 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **10.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 17+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Royal Yachting Association](https://appshunter.io/developer/709375005) | [Maxim Lukyanenko](https://appshunter.io/developer/1496252741) |

## What reviewers say

### RYA Books

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rya-books/id451481707)

Explore enhanced digital books with interactive features like animations, videos, and tools. Try free tasters before purchasing full editions, supporting RYA training courses for various boating levels. Optimized for tablets and smartphones.

**Highlights:** Interactive eBooks, Embedded animations and videos, 360° tools for navigation and regulations, Animated examples for VHF procedures, Tidal curve simulation tool, Bookmarking and note-taking, Free taster versions

**In-app purchases (37)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Guide to Boating Knots (E-G60) | $3.99 | one-time |
| First Aid (E-FAB) | $6.99 | one-time |
| Instructor Handbook (E-G27) | $9.99 | one-time |
| Handy Guide to CEVNI (E-G106) | $9.99 | one-time |
| Intro to Radar (E-G34) | $9.99 | one-time |
| Euro Waterways Regs (E-G17) | $9.99 | one-time |
| Training Almanac North (E-TAN) | $9.99 | one-time |
| Stability and Buoyancy (E-G23) | $9.99 | one-time |
| Yachtmaster Quizzes (E-G79) | $11.99 | one-time |
| ICC Handbook (E-G81) | $12.99 | one-time |
| Racing Rules of Sailing ERRS25 | $12.99 | one-time |
| Day Skipper Practical(E-DSPCN) | $12.99 | one-time |
| Day Skipper Shorebased (E-DSN) | $14.99 | one-time |
| Yachtmaster Shorebased (E-YSN) | $14.99 | one-time |
| Comp Crew Skills (E-CCPCN) | $14.99 | one-time |
| Collision Regulations (E-G2) | $14.99 | one-time |
| Intro to Navigation (E-G77) | $14.99 | one-time |
| Astro Navigation Handbook (E-G78) | $14.99 | one-time |
| Day Skipper Shorebased(E-G113) | $14.99 | one-time |
| Start to Race (E-G66) | $14.99 | one-time |
| Passage Planning (E-G69) | $17.99 | one-time |
| Dinghy Techniques (E-G93) | $17.99 | one-time |
| Boat Safety Handbook (E-G103) | $17.99 | one-time |
| Day Skipper – Motor (E-G97) | $19.99 | one-time |
| Advanced Powerboat (E-G108) | $19.99 | one-time |
| Diesel Engine (E-G25) | $19.99 | one-time |
| VHF Handbook (E-G31) | $19.99 | one-time |
| Yachtmaster Handbook (E-G70) | $19.99 | one-time |
| Navigation Handbook (E-G6) | $19.99 | one-time |
| Day Skipper Sail (E-G71) | $19.99 | one-time |
| Multihull Handbook (E-G92) | $19.99 | one-time |
| Offshore Sailing (E-G87) | $19.99 | one-time |
| Sail Trim Handbook (E-G99) | $19.99 | one-time |
| Boat Handling Sail Power E-G68 | $19.99 | one-time |
| Electrics Handbook (E-G67) | $19.99 | one-time |
| Weather Handbook (E-G133) | $19.99 | one-time |
| Manual of Seamanship (E-G36) | $22.99 | one-time |


### cMate

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cmate-lite/id1496589839)

This app provides comprehensive maritime regulations and codes, including collision prevention, international signals, life-saving appliances, and safety at sea conventions. It also features weather forecast reading and maritime dictionaries.

**Highlights:** Collision prevention regulations, International signal codes, Life-saving appliance code, Safety of life at sea conventions, Weather forecast reading, Maritime dictionaries

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is RYA Books free?

RYA Books is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is cMate free?

cMate is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, RYA Books or cMate?

cMate is rated higher. RYA Books averages 4.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while cMate averages 5.0 from 3 ratings.

### Do RYA Books or cMate have ads?

Neither RYA Books nor cMate shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, RYA Books or cMate?

RYA Books ships an update every 3 months, and cMate every 51 months. Most recently, RYA Books was updated on September 27, 2026 and cMate on September 27, 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.*