RayRemote vs Cortex Onboard
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
RayRemote
This app turns your iPhone into a virtual remote keypad for Raymarine multifunction displays. Control MFD functions with a full-screen keypad and a virtual uni-controller for menu navigation. It also offers a viewing mode to mirror your MFD's display.
- Virtual remote keypad
- MFD function control
- Full-screen keypad
- Virtual uni-controller
- Display mirroring mode
- Wi-Fi connectivity
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About RayRemote RayRemote transforms your iphone into a virtual remote keypad for Raymarine multifunction displays. iOS Devices = Best performance achieved on iPhone 3GS or better and iPad 2 or better. Multi-Functional Display software requirement – v 3.15 or later. Compatible displays (MFDs) – e, c, ES, Axiom RayRemote emulates the keypad of Raymarine c-Series and e-Series displays, giving you control of all the MFD functions with large full screen keypad. The virtual uni-controller lets you rotate through menus and make menu adjustments effortlessly. The app also provides a viewing mode, which mirrors the MFD’s display. To use this app please upgrade your Raymarine c-Series or e-Series Multi-Functional Display to software version 3.15 or later. Software upgrades are available for free at www.raymarine.com/support. Note - RayRemote will also run on iPad, though it is primarily intended for iPhone. Getting Started Download the RayRemote app, and install it on your device. Next, connect to your Multifunction Display via Wi-Fi (see MFD operators manual for Wi-Fi setup details). When the Wi-Fi connection is established, launch the app. You should now see the same image on your mobile device as you do on your MFD. Simply touch the screen and a button will appear to switch to remote control mode. Note - autopilot activation/deactivation is not possible via a mobile device.
Cortex Onboard
This app allows you to configure and update your marine electronics from your mobile device. Monitor vessel data, receive alerts, and manage features like Anchor Watch from anywhere on board.
- Configure and update Cortex devices
- View AIS information and alerts
- Manage Anchor Watch
- Monitor vessel sensors
- Connect NMEA 2000 instruments
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Cortex Onboard is free with your Cortex. Use it to configure your Cortex Hub and download updates to your Cortex devices with new features and improvements. You can also use Cortex Onboard to receive and manage alerts, view AIS information and instrument data anywhere on board your boat. View out-of-the-box sensors or NMEA 2000 networked instruments. - Setup is easy and free. - Use Cortex Onboard to configure and update your Cortex devices easily. - View AIS information and receive alerts on board direct to your device. - Manage Anchor Watch from the palm of your hand anywhere on board. - Use the Cortex Hub’s built-in sensors for battery level, barometric pressure and boat position. - Connect your Cortex Hub to NMEA 2000, or an external sensor, to add monitoring for wind, depth, bilge high water, temperature, shore power or security. - The Cortex Hub supports up to 10 WiFi devices (includes Handsets).
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Cortex Onboard at 3.8 against RayRemote's 1.9. Cortex Onboard also leads on review sentiment (56% vs 14%) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 4 months). RayRemote's advantage is iOS requirement (8.0 vs 15.6). On price, ratings volume, ads 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.
Cortex Onboard holds the better App Store score, 3.8 against 1.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 31 and 12 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 14% of RayRemote's written reviews are positive against 56% of Cortex Onboard's.
RayRemote ships an update every 4 months, Cortex Onboard every 2 months. Both last shipped on October 13, 2026.
| Parameter | RayRemote | Cortex Onboard |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 1.9 (31 ratings) | 3.8 (12 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 14.3% of reviews | 55.6% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 31 — better | 12 |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | Every 2 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 8.0 — better | 15.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 26 MB | 376 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Raymarine UK Limited | Garmin New Zealand Ltd |
Customer experience
RayRemote
Cortex Onboard
In-app purchases
RayRemote
No in-app purchases
Cortex Onboard
No in-app purchases
