Weather4D Routing vs LuckGrib
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Weather4D Routing
This app provides advanced weather forecasting and route optimization for sailing. It uses GRIB data, boat polar characteristics, and various meteorological models to plan efficient and safe journeys.
- GRIB weather and ocean data analysis
- Customizable GRIB file downloads
- Optimized sailing and engine routes
- Wind and wave constraint consideration
- Multiple route comparison
- Real-time routing updates
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Weather4D Routing is an outstanding meteorological and routing application based on weather and ocean data in GRIB format as well as the speed characteristics of the sailing boat (polar) and its minimum speed when operated with its engine. It benefits from an interface derived from the “Routing & Navigation” version. Weather GFS model is provided by default. In addition, over 35 weather and oceanographic models are available with a yearly subscription (in-app purchase). Queries and downloads are fully customizable. The application makes it possible to create your own geographical zones and to select the characteristics of the GRIB files to download: choice of data, resolution, periodicity, file size, etc. GRIB files can be downloaded wherever you are from our servers through a regular or satellite internet connection. Weather4D Routing displays the combined data as layered layers. All the data of a selected model is displayed by an animation in continuous time scrolling or in manual scrolling on the map. The weather forecast is displayed in one or two windows (iPad only), offering several display combinations of the same area: navigation and weather, weather and waves or currents, comparison of different models. The two windows can be disassociated for displaying the same area at different scales. Routing Weather4D Routing makes it possible to optimize sailing or engine, or mixed sail-engine routes. From a theoretical route, a routing algorithm will take into account wind force and wave height constraints. When sailing, the boat polar combined with wind and current forecasts will be used to optimize performance, comfort and safety. Several routes can be displayed to compare the outcome of different options: different forecast patterns, departure dates and times, selected constraint values. The routing can be restarted at any moment during navigation from the actual position of the boat. Default Models and Charts ———————————— GFS global forecast model at 0.25 °, 0.5 °, 1 ° and 2 ° resolutions. BING global chart OSM (Opens Street Map) global chart Optional Models (in-app purchase): ——————————————————— Weather -------- NAM USA GEM Global COAMPS Europe, West Atlantic, Central America, East Pacific ICON-EU Europe ARPEGE Global, Europe AROME France, Antilles, Guyane, Polynésie, Calédonie, Indien AROME HD France WRF France, Europe, Greece, NW Africa, Azores, Lesser Antilles, Greater Antilles Waves ------- MFWAM Global, Europe, France FNMOC WW3 Global, Europe Currents --------- MyOcean Global, IBI, NWS, Baltic, Med NCOM AMSEAS, USEAST, ALASKA, SOCAL, HAWAII
LuckGrib
This app provides advanced weather data visualization, downloading, and routing for sailors and weather enthusiasts. It offers access to a wide range of global and high-resolution weather and ocean models, with features for optimizing routes and analyzing complex weather parameters. Remote access via satellite is also supported.
- GRIB file reader, viewer, and downloader
- Advanced weather routing and route analysis
- Satellite data access
- High-resolution global and regional weather models
- Ocean current models
- Detailed weather parameter analysis
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LuckGrib is a fully featured, easy to use, fast GRIB reader, viewer, downloader and weather router. Remote access to weather data via satellite. Advanced weather routing capabilities, for sailors, is available. Weather forecast data, packaged as GRIB files, can be downloaded directly from the LuckGrib server cluster. Downloads are available via: a direct high speed internet connection, or through the Iridium GO! as well as through the RedPort Optimizer. For sailors, LuckGrib offers a best-in-class, complete solution: industry leading visualization and ease of use, highly optimized weather data downloads via satellite, along with industry leading optimized weather routing and route analysis. Inshore sailors may not require satellite downloads, but will benefit from the rest of the system. LuckGrib is unique among apps that were originally designed for sailors, in that the weather analysis tools are powerful enough to attract attention from meteorologitsts. For sailors, meteorologists, and all weather enthusiasts, LuckGrib offers access to a wide range of high resolutions models, a number of global models, weather data at the surface, 850mb, 500mb and 250mb levels, parameters ranging from simple things such as wind, pressure and temperature, to more advanced quantities such as simulated radar, standard deviations, precipitable water, lightning, vertical vorticity, helicity and more. LuckGrib is a thoroughly modern and advanced GRIB viewer. LuckGrib provides access to many weather and ocean models, including global models such as GFS and ECMWF along with many high resolution models, which vary according to the region you are interested in. In the USA, there is the HRRR, NAM, NBM and many others. In Europe there is Icon-EU, Arpège, Arome, the Danish DINI and others. There are several ocean current models, such as the global RTOFS and Mercator Ocean, along with regional higher resolution models such as OFS, NCOM, CMEMS and others. The LuckGrib weather routing system is an industry leading, high quality, robust, high performance and comprehensive system. The LuckGrib isochronal Weather Routing solver has many unique features, such as being able to respect constraints (points that must be left to port or starboard,) deal with routes which require you to heave-to, outstanding visualization and interactivity features, and much more. LuckGrib comes with a 14 day free trial, or free access to reduced resolution downloads (LuckGrib Lite) for users who do not require access to the most accurate data. If you are interested in studying weather and gaining access to detailed weather forecasts, download the app and give it a try. Downloading data via satellite requires the Offshore Data in-app purchase. Access to the isochronal weather routing system requires an in-app purchase. Note that LuckGrib does not use a subscription pricing model - after the free trial, when you decide to purchase the app, there will be a one time charge, not an ongoing subscription. For more details, please visit the support website. * for details on the offshore data system: https://offshore.luckgrib.com * for details on weather routing: https://routing.luckgrib.com * for details on weather models: https://luckgrib.com/models * the privacy policy: https://luckgrib.com/privacy * terms of use: https://luckgrib.com/terms-of-use * end user license agreement: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: LuckGrib at Free against Weather4D Routing's $39.99. LuckGrib also leads on review sentiment (93% vs 66%). Weather4D Routing's advantage is chart position (#167 vs unranked) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 18.4). On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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
LuckGrib is free to download; Weather4D Routing costs $39.99 up front. Weather4D Routing sells 2 one-off in-app purchases and LuckGrib sells 6 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Weather4D Routing ships an update every 3 months, LuckGrib every 2 months. Both last shipped on November 6, 2026.
| Parameter | Weather4D Routing | LuckGrib |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $39.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | — | 4.9 (343 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 66.0% of reviews | 92.7% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | — | 343 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Every 2 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | #167 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 18.4 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 488 MB | 173 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | APP4NAV | Craig McPheeters |
Customer experience
Weather4D Routing
LuckGrib
Bugs and requests
Weather4D Routing
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
LuckGrib
Reported bugs
2 issues- Reported issues with 'no wind data for start time'
- Occasional app crashes or freezes
Requested features
3 requests- Integration with boat instruments and data logging
- More advanced routing options and customization
- Improved support for regional weather models
In-app purchases
Weather4D Routing
- 3 Months HD Forecast Subscription$17.99
- 1 Year HD Forecast Subscription$39.99
LuckGrib
- 14-day TrialFree
- 14 day trial of Offshore DataFree
- 14 day Weather Routing trialFree
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- LuckGrib weather data access$29.99
- Premium Offshore Data access$59.99
- Weather Routing access$59.99
Questions
Is Weather4D Routing free?
Is LuckGrib free?
Do Weather4D Routing or LuckGrib have ads?
Which is updated more often, Weather4D Routing or LuckGrib?
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