Comparison

RT vs 1st

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

Head to head
About

RT

Navigate using real-time oceanographic data like sea surface temperatures and currents on your mobile device. Create and edit waypoints, zoom maps, and track your GPS location for point-to-point navigation. Access dynamic maps even without cell service.

Highlights
  • Real-time oceanographic imagery
  • Waypoint creation and editing
  • Map zooming
  • Point-to-point navigation
  • Real-time GPS tracking
  • Offline navigation capabilities
Features
Read full description

Hilton's Realtime-Navigator Mobile Navigation Application. Navigate on almost real-time imageries such as sea surface temperatures, chlorophyll, surface currents, altimetry, and salinity using your iPad, iPhone, and/or iPod device(s) as your chartplotter! Features include: -Ability to create waypoints/routes "On the fly" -Waypoint creation and editing -Map zooming -Point to point navigation -Real-time GPS location -Ability to change chart selection "On the fly" The RT-Nav app interfaces with the RT-Nav.com website to provide a platform to allow subscribers the ability to navigate on desired RT-Nav.com images using youriPad, iPhone, and/or iPod device(s) as a chartplotter. View your real-time position on dynamic maps outside of cell/internet range navigating to temp breaks (probable weedlines), color changes, or default/custom waypoints by using our touch-screen technology!

About

1st

Control your boat's engine and security features remotely. Receive man overboard alerts and manage access for others. Enhances safety and security for boaters.

Highlights
  • Theft Deterrent control
  • Man Over Board alerts
  • Time-limited access granting
  • Proximity-based engine disabling
  • Emergency contact notifications
Features
Read full description

The 1st Mate app puts you in control of your vessel by interacting seamlessly with the 1st Mate system installed. You can easily control Theft Deterrent features, see Man Over Board alerts and give time limited access to your loved ones, or even the service guy. 1st Mate from Mercury and Quicksilver is the world's first engine-integrated man overboard and proximity-based theft deterrent system. Utilizing a highly styled wearable for up to 8 people, 1st Mate turns the engine off or sounds an alarm during a man overboard event (MOB), and optionally sends notifications to emergency contacts. If the proximity of the fob is not in range, the system disables or puts engine in guardian mode. All these functions are covering boaters most important needs, namely safety and security.

Screenshots

RT4 screens
1st4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: 1st at 100% against RT's 0%. 1st also leads on rating (5.0 vs 3.0) and in-app purchases (none vs 5). RT's advantage is chart position (#189 vs unranked). On price, ratings volume, update cadence 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. RT sells 5 one-off in-app purchases. 1st asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

1st holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 8 and 10 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 0% of RT's written reviews are positive against 100% of 1st's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 9, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
RT versus 1st: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRT1st
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.0 (8 ratings)5.0 (10 ratings) — better
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings810 — better
Update frequencyMonthlyMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
Best chart rank#189 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS26.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size13 MB124 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHilton's Fishing Charts, L.L.C.Mercury Marine LLC

Customer experience

RT

All ratings8 ratings
Positive37.5%
Neutral25.0%
Negative37.5%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

1st

All ratings10 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

5 purchases

RT

One-time5
  • 1 Day Subscription$29.99
  • 1 Week Subscription$49.99
  • 1 Month Subscription$99.99
Show 2 more
  • 1 Year Subscription$199.99
  • One Year International$199.99
None

1st

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is RT free?
RT is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is 1st free?
1st is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, RT or 1st?
1st is rated higher. RT averages 3.0 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while 1st averages 5.0 from 10 ratings.
Do RT or 1st have ads?
Neither RT nor 1st shows ads.
Which is updated more often, RT or 1st?
RT ships an update monthly, and 1st monthly. Most recently, RT was updated on October 9, 2026 and 1st on October 6, 2026.

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