# Boat Lights vs Aqua Map Boating

The clearest difference is rating: Aqua Map Boating at 4.7 against Boat Lights's 4.0. Aqua Map Boating also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 2 months) and ratings volume (14K vs 1). Boat Lights's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 17) and review sentiment (89% vs 64%). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Aqua Map Boating sells 17 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per year. Boat Lights asks for nothing beyond the download.

Aqua Map Boating holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Aqua Map Boating has 14K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 89% of Boat Lights's written reviews are positive against 64% of Aqua Map Boating's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Boat Lights ships an update every 2 months, Aqua Map Boating weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 17, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Boat Lights | Aqua Map Boating |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/boat-lights/id464656024/reviews) | **[4.7 (14K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aqua-map-boating/id919552329/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 1 | **14K** |
| Positive reviews | **88.9% of reviews** | 64.4% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | **#85** |
| Size | 8 MB | 174 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Glenn Ludlow](https://appshunter.io/developer/464656027) | [GEC s.r.l.](https://appshunter.io/developer/675562886) |

## What reviewers say

### Boat Lights

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/boat-lights/id464656024)

This app helps boat operators understand navigation lights, shapes, and sounds. It features a unique drawing-based search and a visual browser for quick reference. Offline access to a comprehensive database makes it ideal for on-water use and classroom instruction.

**Highlights:** Draw-What-You-See search engine, Visual browser, Flash cards for self-testing, Boat navigation lights, shapes, and sounds, Navigation rules and regulations, Offline data storage, Support for multiple rule sets

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Aqua Map Boating

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aqua-map-boating/id919552329)

**Currently charting:** #85 Top Grossing · Navigation (US App Store)

This app provides official, weekly updated nautical charts for marine navigation. It allows for offline map downloads, GPS track recording, and integration with onboard instruments. Enhance your boating safety and experience with advanced features like weather forecasts and AIS collision detection.

**Highlights:** Official NOAA nautical charts, Offline map downloads, GPS track recording, Tides and currents predictions, Anchor Alarm, NMEA instrument connectivity, AIS with collision detection

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (17)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Florida - NOAA Nautical chart | $4.99 | per year |
| Alabama to Texas charts | $4.99 | per year |
| Cape Cod to Chesapeake Charts | $4.99 | per year |
| New England - Nautical charts | $4.99 | per year |
| Virginia to Georgia - Charts | $4.99 | per year |
| Midwest-Minnesota lake charts | $4.99 | per year |
| Michigan & Great Lakes chart | $4.99 | per year |
| US - Nautical & Lakes charts | $9.99 | per year |
| Canada - nautical charts | $9.99 | per year |
| US & Canada - nautical charts | $14.99 | per year |
| Caribbean South Nautical chart | $14.99 | per year |
| Bermuda - nautical charts | $14.99 | per year |
| Aqua Map Expert | $14.99 | per year |
| Aqua Map Master | $24.99 | per year |
| Bahamas - Explorer Charts | $49.99 | per year |
| US & Canada - Nautical chart | $49.99 | one-time |
| Bahamas - Explorer Chartbooks | $139.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Excellent navigation tool
- 👍 Easy to use and intuitive
- 🗺️ Detailed and accurate charts
- 💡 Helpful features like AIS, weather, and fuel prices
- 🤝 Responsive and helpful customer support

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional issues with map downloads and disappearing charts
- 🔍 Lack of intuitive route planning functionality
- 🔍 Slow map loading and tracking issues in certain areas
- 💰 Subscription model with additional costs for map downloads

**Reported bugs**

- Inconsistent GPS tracking and positioning
- Compatibility issues on older devices

**Requested features**

- Improved route planning and optimization
- Offline map caching and seamless downloads
- Tidal and wind data overlays
- Sync capabilities across devices


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Boat Lights free?

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

### Is Aqua Map Boating free?

Aqua Map Boating is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Boat Lights or Aqua Map Boating?

Aqua Map Boating is rated higher. Boat Lights averages 4.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while Aqua Map Boating averages 4.7 from 14K ratings.

### Do Boat Lights or Aqua Map Boating have ads?

Neither Boat Lights nor Aqua Map Boating shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Boat Lights or Aqua Map Boating?

Boat Lights ships an update every 2 months, and Aqua Map Boating weekly. Most recently, Boat Lights was updated on October 8, 2026 and Aqua Map Boating on October 17, 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.*