Comparison

Link vs ActiveCaptain®

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

Head to head
About

Link

Control your Simrad, Lowrance, or B&G marine electronics remotely from your smartphone or tablet. Duplicate your display's screen, manage charts, sonar, radar, and entertainment, and back up your data wirelessly. Stay connected to your boat's systems from anywhere on board.

Highlights
  • Remote display mirroring
  • Control charts, sonar, and radar
  • Manage entertainment systems
  • View engine and instrument data
  • Wireless waypoint backup and restore
  • Wireless settings backup and restore
Features
Read full description

The Link app gives you remote control of wirelessly connected Simrad, Lowrance, or B&G multifunction displays from your smartphone or tablet. Link lets you select any wirelessly connected display on board, duplicates the screen in real-time on your mobile device, and puts control of most display functions at your fingertips. Work with charts, sonar, and radar, control your on-board entertainment system, view data from connected engines and instruments, and much more. With Link, you’re constantly connected to your boat’s key systems from anywhere on board – making it easier to plan trips, fish, sail, handle maintenance, and otherwise make the best of your time on the water. Link also gives you the ability to wirelessly back up and restore waypoints, routes, tracks, and display settings directly to your mobile device. This makes it easier than ever to protect your valuable boating data against loss or theft, and to keep your backups up-to-date with zero hassle. The Link app is compatible with Simrad NSS evo3, NSS evo2, NSO evo2, NSS7/8/12*, and GO series displays; Lowrance HDS Carbon, HDS Gen3, HDS Gen2 Touch*, HDS Gen2**, and Elite Ti fishfinder/chartplotters; and B&G Zeus³, Zeus², Zeus Touch*, and Vulcan sailing chartplotters. Displays without built-in wireless connectivity require an additional WIFI-1 module. To enable the Link app, a free software update may be required for your display. Link works with the Apple iPhone 5s and later devices running iOS 9 or above. * Mirroring only. ** View only.

About

ActiveCaptain®

This app connects your mobile device to compatible Garmin chartplotters, enabling wireless chart and map transfers, software updates, and route planning. It also provides access to a community of boaters for reviews and information on marinas and points of interest.

Highlights
  • Wireless chart and map transfer
  • Route and waypoint planning
  • ActiveCaptain Community for POI reviews
  • Chartplotter control via Helm feature
  • Easy software updates
  • OnDeck system monitoring
  • Garmin Quickdraw Community map sharing
Read full description

The free ActiveCaptain app creates a powerful connection between your compatible mobile device and Garmin chartplotter, charts, maps and the boating community. Whether you use your Garmin products for cruising, fishing, sailing or diving, this all-in-one app will help you enjoy your time on the water. Just pair the app with your compatible chartplotter to wirelessly transfer and access charts and maps, software updates, routes, waypoints and helpful feedback from the ActiveCaptain Community. And, with the purchase of the OnDeck™ hub(1), you can track and monitor your boat from virtually anywhere. Please note that this app is intended for Garmin chartplotter owners and is not recommended for use as a stand-alone navigational app. FEATURES AVAILABLE: - ONECHART™: > New Garmin Navionics+™ and premium Garmin Navionics Vision+™ cartography, featuring a Navionics® style appearance, advanced Auto Guidance+™ technology(2) and a one-year subscription to daily updates, is available now for North America and Europe, and coming soon to the rest of the world. Purchase our newest-generation charts or legacy BlueChart® g3 charts from your mobile device, and upload them to registered Garmin chartplotters on your vessel. You will get exceptional coverage, clarity and detail with charts that feature integrated Garmin and Navionics data and much more. Plus, the NOAA raster cartography(3) and premium features can be downloaded for free through the ActiveCaptain app. Visit Garmin.com/marinemaps. - PLAN A TRIP: Plan your trip, or e-scout a new fishing spot before you’re on the water. Then, transfer your data to your chartplotter where you can view your routes and waypoints. - USER DATA SYNC: Automatically back up and sync your data between your chartplotter and the ActiveCaptain app. - ACTIVECAPTAIN COMMUNITY: Join a community of boaters to get up-to-date feedback on marinas, boat ramps and other points of interest (POI). Check ratings, read reviews, and view pictures of POIs to make informed decisions on the water. Contribute your own POI, reviews and pictures from your compatible mobile device. - CONTROL YOUR CHARTPLOTTER: Using the built-in Helm™ feature, the ActiveCaptain app lets you view and control your compatible(4) chartplotter from your smartphone or tablet, even when someone else is at the helm(5). - EASY SOFTWARE UPDATES: Receive notifications about software updates from the app, and update your chartplotter wirelessly. - ONDECK HUB: Use the ActiveCaptain app to track, monitor and control any number of switches with the OnDeck system(1) from nearly anywhere. Door open? Bilge running? Peace of mind comes in the form of text alerts and updates. - GARMIN QUICKDRAWTM COMMUNITY: Download the latest 1’ HD contour maps shared by your fellow boaters, and sync with your chartplotter. You can also upload your own Quickdraw Contours map data. - SMART NOTIFICATIONS: Connect the app to your chartplotter, and turn on smart notifications(4) to see calls, text messages and more on the chartplotter display while your phone is somewhere safe and dry. FOOTNOTES 1)OnDeck hub sold separately and requires an active subscription plan 2)Auto Guidance+ is for planning purposes only and does not replace safe navigation operations 3)NOAA raster cartography cannot be viewed on echoMAP™ CHIRP and ECHOMAP™ Plus combos but can be viewed on mobile devices via the ActiveCaptain mobile app 4)Helm feature is not compatible with ECHOMAP series chartplotters 5)Check device compatibility on the ActiveCaptain app web page; visit https://www.garmin.com/c/marine/marine-apps/ End User License Agreement: https://www.garmin.com/en-US/legal/marine-mobile-eula/

Screenshots

Link3 screens
ActiveCaptain®4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: ActiveCaptain® at 4.0 against Link's 2.2. ActiveCaptain® also leads on review sentiment (56% vs 25%) and ratings volume (5.2K vs 148). Link's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 18) and iOS requirement (9.0 vs 18.5). On price, update cadence, 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. ActiveCaptain® sells 18 in-app purchases, starting at $74.99 per year. Link asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

ActiveCaptain® holds the better App Store score, 4.0 against 2.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ActiveCaptain® has 5.2K ratings behind it against 148, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 25% of Link's written reviews are positive against 56% of ActiveCaptain®'s.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Link ships an update every 4 months, ActiveCaptain® every 3 months. Both last shipped on October 14, 2026.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
Link versus ActiveCaptain®: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLinkActiveCaptain®
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.2 (148 ratings)4.0 (5.2K ratings) — better
Positive reviews24.6% of reviews56.2% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1485.2K — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 3 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank—#27 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS9.0 — better18.5
Further details — not scored
Size60 MB196 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNavico Norway ASGarmin

Customer experience

Link

All ratings148 ratings
Positive27.0%
Neutral6.8%
Negative66.2%
Written reviews126 reviews
Positive24.6%
Neutral5.6%
Negative69.8%

ActiveCaptain®

All ratings5,159 ratings
Positive72.9%
Neutral3.7%
Negative23.4%
Written reviews909 reviews
Positive56.2%
Neutral4.7%
Negative39.1%

User reviews

Link

From 148 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Easy to set up and use once connected
  • 📱 Allows remote viewing of chart plotter on iPad/iPhone
  • 🎮 Remote control functionality for chart plotter
  • 📡 WiFi connectivity to marine devices
  • 🖥️ Screen mirroring capability

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent connection drops and disconnections
  • 🐛 Login failures with Genesis and single sign-on systems
  • 📱 Portrait mode only - no landscape/full screen support
  • 🔌 Incompatible with cellular data when connected to WiFi
  • ⚠️ Poor compatibility with newer iOS versions

ActiveCaptain®

From 5.2K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Easy to use
  • 🚀 Seamless integration with Garmin devices
  • 💡 Useful for planning trips and managing waypoints
  • 🚀 Convenient for updating software and charts
  • 👍 Great app for Garmin users

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent crashes and connection issues
  • 🔍 Limited chart and mapping functionality compared to competitors
  • 🤔 Difficult to transfer data between devices
  • 🤔 Confusing and not very intuitive user interface
  • 💰 Expensive for the features provided

Bugs and requests

Link

Reported bugs

20 issues
  • App won't connect to Genesis after Simrad SSO update
  • Connection drops when cellular data is enabled
  • Sonar log uploads fail with 'Can't Login' error
  • Screen mirroring shows lower resolution than expected
  • App crashes when taking screenshots
Show 15 more
  • Full screen mode removed in recent updates
  • Portrait mode lock prevents landscape viewing
  • Black screen display issues
  • App freezes during interaction with chart plotter
  • WiFi connection prevents internet/cellular access
  • Incompatibility with iOS 14 and newer versions
  • Remote control functionality broken after device firmware updates
  • App doesn't detect MFD devices on network
  • Panning/scrolling causes disconnection
  • Distorted video display on non-text screens
  • Shake-to-report triggers during normal boat motion
  • Zoom controls unresponsive
  • App won't connect to specific device models
  • Screen rotation not working on iPhone
  • Truncated display on larger phones

Requested features

14 requests
  • Apple Watch compatibility and autopilot control
  • Dark mode for night boating
  • Full screen landscape mode support
  • Autopilot remote control capability
  • Sound/audio alerts for alarms
Show 9 more
  • Easy screenshot download to photos app
  • Waypoint and route upload functionality
  • Support for newer chart plotter models
  • Ability to use cellular data while connected to WiFi
  • Zoom functionality via trackpad
  • French language support
  • File transfer capability (GRIB files, etc.)
  • Backup file location visibility
  • Independent display views on tablet vs plotter

ActiveCaptain®

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Charts and maps not loading properly
  • Waypoints and routes not syncing correctly
  • Constant prompts to purchase additional charts
  • Compatibility issues with older Garmin devices

Requested features

5 requests
  • Ability to duplicate and edit existing routes
  • Sync user data across multiple devices
  • Improved chart detail and coverage
  • Animated tides and currents
  • Better integration with other navigation apps

In-app purchases

None

Link

No in-app purchases

18 purchases

ActiveCaptain®

Subscriptions7
  • NSUS007R-U.S. East$74.991 Year
  • NSUS006R-U.S. South$74.991 Year
  • g4 U.S. Lakes & Rivers Built-i$99.991 Year
Show 4 more
  • NSUS001L-U.S. & Canada$99.991 Year
  • g4 Vision U.S. South$129.991 Year
  • g4 Vision U.S. East$129.991 Year
  • GN+ US & Coast Canada Built-In$149.991 Year
One-time11
  • U.S. LakeVü Detail Map$59.99
  • US+Great Lakes Detail Map$99.99
  • BlueChart g3+LakeVu g3 Built-I$99.99
Show 8 more
  • LUS100F - Download$149.99
  • GN+ U.S. South$149.99
  • GN+ U.S. East$149.99
  • VUS010R - Download$174.99
  • GN+ U.S. & Canada$199.99
  • HXUS604X - Download$219.99
  • GNV+ U.S. East$249.99
  • GNV+ U.S. South$249.99

Questions

Is Link free?
Link is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is ActiveCaptain® free?
ActiveCaptain® is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Link or ActiveCaptain®?
ActiveCaptain® is rated higher. Link averages 2.2 out of 5 from 148 ratings, while ActiveCaptain® averages 4.0 from 5.2K ratings.
Do Link or ActiveCaptain® have ads?
Neither Link nor ActiveCaptain® shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Link or ActiveCaptain®?
Link ships an update every 4 months, and ActiveCaptain® every 3 months. Most recently, Link was updated on October 14, 2026 and ActiveCaptain® on October 14, 2026.

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