# WatchMate vs NavLink HD

The clearest difference is review sentiment: WatchMate at 44% against NavLink HD's 0%. WatchMate also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 11) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 5 months). NavLink HD's advantage is rating (4.2 vs 3.5) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 13.0). On price, ratings volume, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. NavLink HD sells 11 in-app purchases, starting at $8.49 per year. WatchMate asks for nothing beyond the download.

NavLink HD holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 3.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 11 and 11 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 44% of WatchMate's written reviews are positive against 0% of NavLink HD's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

WatchMate ships an update every 2 months, NavLink HD every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 3, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | WatchMate | NavLink HD |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.5 (11 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/watchmate/id557485481/reviews) | **[4.2 (11 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/navlink-hd/id1183848518/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 11 | 11 |
| Positive reviews | **44.4% of reviews** | 0.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 months** | Every 5 months |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 14 MB | 52 MB |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | **11.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Garmin New Zealand Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/557485484) | [DigitalYacht Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/394667310) |

## What reviewers say

### WatchMate

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/watchmate/id557485481)

This app provides remote control and situational awareness for your Vesper Marine AIS Transponder. View AIS targets, manage alarms, and control transponder settings directly from your mobile device.

**Highlights:** View AIS targets, Manage collision prevention alarms, Control Anchor Watch alarm, View GPS position, course, and speed, Remote control transponder settings, Configure vessel AIS static data, Perform firmware upgrades

**In-app purchases:** none


### NavLink HD

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/navlink-hd/id1183848518)

Transform your Apple device into a comprehensive chart plotter for marine navigation. Access real-time GPS, AIS overlays, and route planning tools. Unlock advanced features like live internet AIS feeds and augmented reality through in-app purchases.

**Highlights:** Real-time GPS plotting, Live AIS ship overlay, Waypoint and route planning, NMEA instrument gauges, Augmented Reality HorizonView, S57 digital mapping

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (11)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weather charts | $8.49 | per year |
| Pro Features | $16.49 | per year |
| German Charts | $16.99 | per year |
| NL & BE Charts | $17.99 | per year |
| US & Great Lakes | $19.99 | per year |
| Portuguese charts | $19.99 | per year |
| French Charts | $22.99 | per year |
| Spanish Charts | $24.99 | per year |
| Croatia charts | $28.99 | per year |
| Canadian Charts | $30.99 | per year |
| Danish Charts | $36.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is WatchMate free?

WatchMate is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is NavLink HD free?

NavLink HD is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, WatchMate or NavLink HD?

NavLink HD is rated higher. WatchMate averages 3.5 out of 5 from 11 ratings, while NavLink HD averages 4.2 from 11 ratings.

### Do WatchMate or NavLink HD have ads?

Neither WatchMate nor NavLink HD shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, WatchMate or NavLink HD?

WatchMate ships an update every 2 months, and NavLink HD every 5 months. Most recently, WatchMate was updated on October 8, 2026 and NavLink HD on October 3, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*