Comparison

RayControl vs qtVlm

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

Head to head
About

RayControl

View and remotely control your Raymarine e, c, ES, and Axiom Multi-Functional Displays from your iPad. Access electronic charting, sonar, radar, and thermal night vision with touch screen interaction and a virtual keypad.

Highlights
  • Remote viewing of MFDs
  • Touch screen control
  • Virtual slide-out keypad
  • Control charting, sonar, radar, and thermal vision
  • Wi-Fi connectivity
Features
Read full description

About RayControl RayControl allows you to remotely view and control your Raymarine e,c,ES and Axiom Multi-Functional Display from your iPad. iOS Devices = Best performance achieved on iPad 2 or better. Multi-Functional Display software requirement – v 3.15 or later. Compatible displays (MFDs) – e,c,ES and Axiom range of WiFi enabled MFDs Remotely control and view electronic charting, sonar, radar, and even thermal night vision, right from your tablet. RayControl emulates Raymarine MFDs with touch screen interaction and a virtual slide-out MFD keypad. The slide out keypad gives you control of all MFD functions and the virtual uni-controller allows you to rotate through menus and adjustments effortlessly. 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. Getting Started Download the RayControl 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 Raymarine c-Series or e-Series multifunction display. Note - autopilot activation/deactivation is not possible via a mobile device.

About

qtVlm

This navigation software is designed for sailing boats, offering a free version with basic GRIB viewing and an optional full version with advanced weather routing, chart modules, and communication features. It supports various chart formats and NMEA data sources, with a simulation mode for learning.

Highlights
  • GRIB viewer with advanced functions
  • Weather routing and route modules
  • Support for Raster, Vector, and MBTiles charts
  • Harmonic file support for tides and currents
  • AIS and Iridium GO! communication
  • Anchor Alarm module
  • Simulation Mode for learning
Features
Read full description

qtVlm is a navigation software for Sailing Boats. The application has a free version with basic features and a full version available through in-app purchase. The free version of qtVlm is a full grib viewer displaying all types of gribs and providing many advanced grib functions. It supports basics charts and some simple instruments. It includes also an Anchor Alarm module, a viewer for shapefiles, for instance those coming from SHOM, and can be configured to receive boat position either from internal GPS or from an external NMEA source connected through tcp, udp or gpsd. The full version adds many functions and features: - Weather routing and route modules, - A complete set of navigation Instruments, - Charts modules for Raster charts, Vector charts (S57, S63 and CM93) and mbtiles, - Support for Harmonic files (tides and currents), - Iridium GO! communication - AIS, - Start line mode, - Access to Great Circle gribs, qtVlm can also be used in Simulation Mode, which allows you to simulate a navigation through our server. This is the best way to learn using qtVlm. Once activated the full version will be available on all your iOS devices.

Screenshots

qtVlm4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: qtVlm at 79% against RayControl's 42%. qtVlm also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 16 months) and rating (3.7 vs 3.3). RayControl's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and iOS requirement (8.0 vs 12.0). On price, ratings volume and ads 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. qtVlm sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. RayControl asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

qtVlm holds the better App Store score, 3.7 against 3.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 7 and 9 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 42% of RayControl's written reviews are positive against 79% of qtVlm's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

RayControl ships an update every 16 months, qtVlm weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 18, 2026 and October 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
RayControl versus qtVlm: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRayControlqtVlm
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.3 (7 ratings)3.7 (9 ratings) — better
Positive reviews41.7% of reviews79.2% of reviews — better
Number of ratings79 — better
Update frequencyEvery 16 monthsWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS8.0 — better12.0
Further details — not scored
Size23 MB100 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRaymarine UK LimitedMeltemus SAS

Customer experience

RayControl

All ratings7 ratings
Positive57.1%
Neutral0.0%
Negative42.9%
Written reviews12 reviews
Positive41.7%
Neutral16.7%
Negative41.7%

qtVlm

All ratings8 ratings
Positive62.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative37.5%
Written reviews24 reviews
Positive79.2%
Neutral8.3%
Negative12.5%

In-app purchases

None

RayControl

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

qtVlm

One-time1
  • Full version$49.99

Questions

Is RayControl free?
RayControl is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is qtVlm free?
qtVlm is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, RayControl or qtVlm?
qtVlm is rated higher. RayControl averages 3.3 out of 5 from 7 ratings, while qtVlm averages 3.7 from 9 ratings.
Do RayControl or qtVlm have ads?
Neither RayControl nor qtVlm shows ads.
Which is updated more often, RayControl or qtVlm?
RayControl ships an update every 16 months, and qtVlm weekly. Most recently, RayControl was updated on October 18, 2026 and qtVlm on October 22, 2026.

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