Comparison

RayRemote vs Waterway Guide

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • Virtual remote keypad
  • MFD function control
  • Full-screen keypad
  • Virtual uni-controller
  • Display mirroring mode
  • Wi-Fi connectivity
Features
Read full description

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.

About

Waterway Guide

This app provides a comprehensive boating resource with a verified database of marinas, anchorages, and navigation alerts. Users can access real-time hazard information, plan trips with a digital handbook, and utilize detailed content optimized for mobile devices. Engage with a community of boaters through comments and reviews.

Highlights
  • Verified points of interest database
  • Real-time navigation alerts
  • Community comments and reviews
  • Skipper's Handbook for trip planning
  • Offline content access
  • Marina filtering by amenities
Features
Read full description

Optimized for your mobile devices with Waterway Guide's detailed and verified points of interest database. Includes over 1.3 million data points on marinas, anchorages, navigation alerts, free docks, bridges and locks displayed on the embedded map or satellite view. Benefit from the experience of 75 years of publishing and hundreds of thousands of active boaters through verified comments and reviews. Share your comments, add points of interest, earn rewards and engage with others from within the app. Stay informed with the latest hazards to navigation reported real time from USCG, government agencies, local experts and boaters everywhere. Plan your time on the water with Waterway Guide's Skipper's Handbook, which is included with the free app download. Access Waterway Guide's library of books as individual chapters or entire guides for the information and details you need for navigation. Content is optimized for mobile devices and can be bookmarked for availability offline. Easily find marinas that fit your needs. Filter our entire database of marinas based on amenities and your preferences. Same functionality as Waterway Guide’s Marinas App. EULA: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

RayRemote1 screens
Waterway Guide4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Waterway Guide at 4.7 against RayRemote's 1.9. Waterway Guide also leads on review sentiment (51% vs 14%) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 4 months). RayRemote's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 43) and iOS requirement (8.0 vs 16.6). On price, 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

Both are free to download. Waterway Guide sells 43 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per year. RayRemote asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Waterway Guide holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 1.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Waterway Guide has 2.9K ratings behind it against 31, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 14% of RayRemote's written reviews are positive against 51% of Waterway Guide's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

RayRemote ships an update every 4 months, Waterway Guide every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on September 30, 2026.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
RayRemote versus Waterway Guide: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRayRemoteWaterway Guide
PriceFreeFree
Rating1.9 (31 ratings)4.7 (2.9K ratings) — better
Positive reviews14.3% of reviews51.2% of reviews — better
Number of ratings312.9K — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank—#191 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS8.0 — better16.6
Further details — not scored
Size26 MB39 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRaymarine UK LimitedWaterway Guide

Customer experience

RayRemote

All ratings31 ratings
Positive22.6%
Neutral3.2%
Negative74.2%
Written reviews35 reviews
Positive14.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative85.7%

Waterway Guide

All ratings2,897 ratings
Positive94.1%
Neutral2.4%
Negative3.5%
Written reviews41 reviews
Positive51.2%
Neutral14.6%
Negative34.1%

Bugs and requests

RayRemote

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Waterway Guide

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • App not working with latest iOS version
  • Subscription purchases not working properly
  • Unable to access purchased content
  • Frequent crashes and errors

Requested features

4 requests
  • Provide vertical bridge clearances
  • Improve offline functionality
  • Enhance search and filtering options
  • Implement dark mode

In-app purchases

None

RayRemote

No in-app purchases

43 purchases

Waterway Guide

Subscriptions43
  • Chesapeake Bay Ch.3$4.991 Year
  • Atlantic ICW Ch.2$4.991 Year
  • Atlantic ICW Ch.6$4.991 Year
Show 40 more
  • Southern Ch.6$4.991 Year
  • Southern Bridges & Locks$4.991 Year
  • Bahamas Cruising Guide$4.991 Year
  • Florida Keys Ch.3$4.991 Year
  • Gulf IWW Ch.4$4.991 Year
  • Atlantic ICW Ch.10$4.991 Year
  • Gulf IWW Ch.1$4.991 Year
  • Western Gulf Coast Ch.4$4.991 Year
  • Atlantic ICW Ch.4$4.991 Year
  • Southern Ch.4$4.991 Year
  • Western Gulf Coast Ch.3$4.991 Year
  • Atlantic ICW East Coast Inlets$4.991 Year
  • Northern Ch.12$4.991 Year
  • Great Lakes Vol.2 Ch.7$4.991 Year
  • Northern Ch.11$4.991 Year
  • Great Lakes Vol.1 Ch.7$4.991 Year
  • Atlantic ICW Ch.9$4.991 Year
  • Great Lakes Vol.1 Ch.2$4.991 Year
  • Northern Ch.1$14.991 Year
  • Great Lakes Vol.2 Ch.8$14.991 Year
  • Great Lakes Vol.2 Ch.6$14.991 Year
  • Southern Ch.13$14.991 Year
  • Southern Ch.10$14.991 Year
  • Southern Ch.12$14.991 Year
  • Southern Ch.3$14.991 Year
  • Southern Ch.11$14.991 Year
  • Anchorages Along the ICW$20.991 Year
  • Bahamas Bound$20.991 Year
  • ICW Cruising Guide by Bob423$29.991 Year
  • Northern Edition$49.991 Year
  • 1st Ed. Bahamas Land and Sea$49.991 Year
  • Chesapeake Bay Edition$54.991 Year
  • Atlantic ICW Edition$54.991 Year
  • Southern Edition$54.991 Year
  • Bahamas Edition$54.991 Year
  • Western Gulf Coast Edition$54.991 Year
  • Florida Keys Edition$54.991 Year
  • Great Lakes Volume 1 Edition$54.991 Year
  • Great Lakes Volume 2 Edition$54.991 Year
  • Cuba Edition$59.991 Year

Questions

Is RayRemote free?
RayRemote is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Waterway Guide free?
Waterway Guide is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, RayRemote or Waterway Guide?
Waterway Guide is rated higher. RayRemote averages 1.9 out of 5 from 31 ratings, while Waterway Guide averages 4.7 from 2.9K ratings.
Do RayRemote or Waterway Guide have ads?
Neither RayRemote nor Waterway Guide shows ads.
Which is updated more often, RayRemote or Waterway Guide?
RayRemote ships an update every 4 months, and Waterway Guide every 2 weeks. Most recently, RayRemote was updated on September 30, 2026 and Waterway Guide on September 30, 2026.

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