Comparison

RT vs Cortex Onboard

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

Cortex Onboard

This app allows you to configure and update your marine electronics from your mobile device. Monitor vessel data, receive alerts, and manage features like Anchor Watch from anywhere on board.

Highlights
  • Configure and update Cortex devices
  • View AIS information and alerts
  • Manage Anchor Watch
  • Monitor vessel sensors
  • Connect NMEA 2000 instruments
Read full description

Cortex Onboard is free with your Cortex. Use it to configure your Cortex Hub and download updates to your Cortex devices with new features and improvements. You can also use Cortex Onboard to receive and manage alerts, view AIS information and instrument data anywhere on board your boat. View out-of-the-box sensors or NMEA 2000 networked instruments. - Setup is easy and free. - Use Cortex Onboard to configure and update your Cortex devices easily. - View AIS information and receive alerts on board direct to your device. - Manage Anchor Watch from the palm of your hand anywhere on board. - Use the Cortex Hub’s built-in sensors for battery level, barometric pressure and boat position. - Connect your Cortex Hub to NMEA 2000, or an external sensor, to add monitoring for wind, depth, bilge high water, temperature, shore power or security. - The Cortex Hub supports up to 10 WiFi devices (includes Handsets).

Screenshots

RT4 screens
Cortex Onboard4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Cortex Onboard at 56% against RT's 0%. Cortex Onboard also leads on rating (3.8 vs 3.0) and in-app purchases (none vs 5). RT's advantage is chart position (#197 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. Cortex Onboard asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Cortex Onboard holds the better App Store score, 3.8 against 3.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 8 and 12 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 0% of RT's written reviews are positive against 56% of Cortex Onboard's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

RT ships an update monthly, Cortex Onboard every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and June 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
RT versus Cortex Onboard: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRTCortex Onboard
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.0 (8 ratings)3.8 (12 ratings) — better
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews55.6% of reviews — better
Number of ratings812 — better
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
Best chart rank#197 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS26.015.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size13 MB376 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHilton's Fishing Charts, L.L.C.Garmin New Zealand Ltd

Customer experience

RT

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

Cortex Onboard

All ratings12 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral8.3%
Negative25.0%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive55.6%
Neutral11.1%
Negative33.3%

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

Cortex Onboard

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is RT free?
RT is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Cortex Onboard free?
Cortex Onboard is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, RT or Cortex Onboard?
Cortex Onboard is rated higher. RT averages 3.0 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while Cortex Onboard averages 3.8 from 12 ratings.
Do RT or Cortex Onboard have ads?
Neither RT nor Cortex Onboard shows ads.
Which is updated more often, RT or Cortex Onboard?
RT ships an update monthly, and Cortex Onboard every 2 months. Most recently, RT was updated on September 23, 2026 and Cortex Onboard on June 7, 2026.

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