Comparison

Weather4D Routing vs Pilot Charts

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

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

About

Pilot Charts

Access historical wind and wave data for oceans worldwide, presented in monthly charts. Explore conditions for the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, with additional regions available for free download.

Highlights
  • Monthly wind and wave condition charts
  • Oceanic data for Atlantic, Pacific, Indian Oceans
  • Historical data from the last century
  • Free additional chart downloads
  • Preloaded North Atlantic chart
Features
Read full description

Pilot charts show the prevailing wind and wave conditions in our oceans for each month based on statistics of the last century. This app gives you easy access to all those and lets you browse them month by month. The charts are provided by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and cover: - Atlantic - Pacific - Indian Ocean - Caribbean Sea The app comes preloaded with the chart for the North Atlantic. Additional charts can be downloaded free of charge.

Screenshots

Weather4D Routing4 screens
Pilot Charts3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Pilot Charts at $5.99 against Weather4D Routing's $39.99. Pilot Charts also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 2). Weather4D Routing's advantage is review sentiment (66% vs 33%) and update cadence (every 3 months vs every 23 months). On 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Weather4D Routing costs $39.99 and Pilot Charts $5.99 up front. Weather4D Routing sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Pilot Charts asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Weather4D Routing ships an update every 3 months, Pilot Charts every 23 months. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
Weather4D Routing versus Pilot Charts: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterWeather4D RoutingPilot Charts
Price$39.99$5.99 — better
Rating—1.7 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews66.0% of reviews — better33.3% of reviews
Number of ratings—3 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 months — betterEvery 23 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
Best chart rank#167 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size488 MB54 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAPP4NAVJohannes Wagener

Customer experience

Weather4D Routing

Written reviews50 reviews
Positive66.0%
Neutral2.0%
Negative32.0%

Pilot Charts

All ratings3 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral33.3%
Negative66.7%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive33.3%
Neutral33.3%
Negative33.3%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Weather4D Routing

One-time2
  • 3 Months HD Forecast Subscription$17.99
  • 1 Year HD Forecast Subscription$39.99
None

Pilot Charts

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Weather4D Routing free?
Weather4D Routing costs $39.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is Pilot Charts free?
Pilot Charts costs $5.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do Weather4D Routing or Pilot Charts have ads?
Neither Weather4D Routing nor Pilot Charts shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Weather4D Routing or Pilot Charts?
Weather4D Routing ships an update every 3 months, and Pilot Charts every 23 months. Most recently, Weather4D Routing was updated on November 6, 2026 and Pilot Charts on November 7, 2026.

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