RT vs Cortex Onboard
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Real-time oceanographic imagery
- Waypoint creation and editing
- Map zooming
- Point-to-point navigation
- Real-time GPS tracking
- Offline navigation capabilities
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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!
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.
- Configure and update Cortex devices
- View AIS information and alerts
- Manage Anchor Watch
- Monitor vessel sensors
- Connect NMEA 2000 instruments
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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
Verdict
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
Both are free to download. RT sells 5 one-off in-app purchases. Cortex Onboard asks for nothing beyond the download.
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.
RT ships an update monthly, Cortex Onboard every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and June 7, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | RT | Cortex Onboard |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.0 (8 ratings) | 3.8 (12 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | 55.6% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 8 | 12 — better |
| Update frequency | Monthly — better | Every 2 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Best chart rank | #197 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 26.0 | 15.6 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 13 MB | 376 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Hilton's Fishing Charts, L.L.C. | Garmin New Zealand Ltd |
Customer experience
RT
Cortex Onboard
In-app purchases
RT
- 1 Day Subscription$29.99
- 1 Week Subscription$49.99
- 1 Month Subscription$99.99
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- 1 Year Subscription$199.99
- One Year International$199.99
Cortex Onboard
No in-app purchases









