XGate vs Byte Ocean
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
XGate
This app provides essential communication and data services for satellite phone users in remote locations. It optimizes email, web browsing, and social media, while also offering weather forecasts and integration with navigation tools.
- Optimized email service
- Accelerated web browsing
- Photo compression and sending
- Social media posting
- Point weather forecasts
- GRIB file handling
- Integration with navigation apps
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XGate is a suite of email, weather and social media services for satellite phone users. XGate is simply the fastest, easiest and most reliable satellite phone email available, saving you time, money and frustration when using your satellite phone. XGate encompasses all the services a sailor, adventurer or other remote traveler needs including optimized email, web compression, social media, pinpoint weather forecasts, GRIB file handling via PredictWind Offshore, and a robust ecosystem of compatible apps including: Expedition and SailGRIB for navigation; WeatherTrack; Weather 4D; iNavX; and Xaxero GribPlot for weather. More about XGate can be found at http://www.globalmarinenet.com XGate’s seamless integration with the world’s leading navigation and weather apps makes it simple to download critical data from many apps all within the highly optimized XGate system. With features such as mid file restart for dropped transmissions and Big Mail filters to choose what is downloaded, XGate greatly eases frustration and adds significant airtime savings. XGate services include: • Accelerated Email – Email service offers up to 20 times acceleration versus uncompressed speeds, saving up to 85% on satellite airtime. Works with a dedicated email address or third-party services such as Gmail, iCloud, Yahoo! Mail or your corporate mail address. Or, use a dedicated XGate email address for maximum security and performance. • Accelerated Web Browsing – Compression uses a web proxy service to provide users with 3-5 times average web acceleration, while also blocking ads, checking for malicious sites and compressing images. • Send photo – Compresses, resizes and sends photos over satellite. 2MB iPhone photos can be compressed to usable 25Kb images. User selectable size and quality. • Social media – Users can post text and photos to Facebook and Twitter over satellite. • Point Weather– Local and global weather forecasts including temperature, pressure, wind speed, wind direction, and precipitation. • PredictWind Offshore – XGate includes the PredictWind Offshore app with GRIB weather file requestor and viewer. XGate also works with a wide range of other weather and navigation applications from leading providers. • Sailblogs – Users get free access to a Sailblogs Premium Basic account to help them share their adventures while travelling with their satphone. This App is available for FREE to XGate users meeting one of the following requirements. 1. Iridium AxcessPoint WiFi router, Redport Optimizer routers, Sattrans and Satstation docks, or the Globalstar GSP-9600 router. 2. One of the following devices and associated services - Inmarsat FleetBroadband - Inmarsat Isatphone - Inmarsat BGAN - Iridium Open Port - Iridium GO! - Iridium 9555 or 9575 - Iridium Legacy 9500, 9505, or 9505a - Iridium fixed phone based on 9522 such as the eurocom or beam rst100 - Aurora Iridium satellite terminal - MCG-101 Iridium satellite terminal - Thuraya and Thuraya IP - Globalstar 1600, 1700, 2900, Sat-Fi - VSAT service - Internet connection via WiFi 3. An XGate and/or XWeb username and password Standard network usage fees for airtime may apply when using this software. Please check with your satellite airtime provider for details. About Global Marine Networks, LLC Global Marine Networks (GMN), offers the industry’s fastest, most reliable and easy-to-use services including email, web, hardware and software. The company’s products include XGate high-speed satellite email, satellite terminals, airtime and vessel tracking systems. GMN has numerous awards and certifications for technical innovation. For more information on how GMN is Making Airtime Count™ visit http://www.globalmarinenet.com.
Byte Ocean
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BlueOrbit: Stop Guessing. Start Connecting. Operating satellite hardware in remote locations shouldn't rely on luck. When you are off the grid—whether navigating an offshore passage or working in challenging terrestrial environments—every percentage of battery life and every successful data transmission counts. BlueOrbit is the ultimate tactical planning tool for your Iridium satellite communications. Instead of powering on your device and hoping for a signal, BlueOrbit tells you exactly when and where the next satellite will appear in your sky, ensuring you establish a solid link on your first attempt. Why BlueOrbit is a Game-Changer: Eliminate Connection Failures: View the real-time position and trajectory of the entire Iridium constellation. Know the exact minute your connection window opens and closes. Maximize Critical Battery Life: Stop wasting power on endless signal searches. BlueOrbit allows you to keep your hardware powered down until a satellite is confirmed to be in an optimal line-of-sight. Beat the Terrain: A satellite overhead is useless if it's blocked by a mountain ridge or your vessel's superstructure. Our precise elevation calculator anticipates blockages so you can reposition your antenna before you try to connect. True Offline Independence: Designed for the most remote environments on Earth. Perform a single, ultra-low-bandwidth sync to update the orbital data, and BlueOrbit will run 100% autonomously for days—no internet required. Built for professionals, expedition leaders, and serious mariners who demand reliability, BlueOrbit ensures your communication hardware works when you need it most. Get the exact data you need to secure your uplink. Legal Disclaimers & Limitations of Liability No Affiliation: BlueOrbit is an independent software application. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or in any way officially connected to Iridium Communications Inc., Iridium LLC, or any of their subsidiaries or affiliates. "Iridium" is a registered trademark of Iridium Communications Inc. Accuracy & Warranty Disclaimer: The application and its generated data are provided "as is" and "as available" without any warranties of any kind, either express or implied. While the orbital calculations are based on standard mathematical models, no claim or guarantee is made regarding the absolute accuracy, reliability, or completeness of the satellite positions, connection windows, or elevation data provided. The developer assumes no liability for missed connections, hardware failures, logistical delays, or any direct or indirect damages resulting from the use of this application. The user assumes all responsibility and risk for relying on the calculated data.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is device support: XGate at 3 against Byte Ocean's —. XGate also leads on iOS requirement (12.0 vs 26.0). On price and in-app purchases 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
| Parameter | XGate | Byte Ocean |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 2.8 (4 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 33.3% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 4 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | — |
| Ads | No | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | — |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 26.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 24 MB | 4 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Global Marine Networks, LLC | Byte Ocean Software Corp |
In-app purchases
XGate
No in-app purchases
Byte Ocean
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is XGate free?
Is Byte Ocean free?
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