Comparison

Marine Navigation Lite vs Aqua Map Boating

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

Head to head
About

Marine Navigation Lite

This app offers offline GPS charting for marine use, allowing users to own their maps permanently. It provides advanced navigation tools, custom map creation from any image, and respects user privacy by not tracking or selling data.

Highlights
  • Lifetime map ownership
  • Offline GPS charting
  • Custom map creation from images
  • Global offline tides
  • Fish forecast
  • Advanced visual waypoints
Features
Read full description

MARINE NAVIGATION — Offline GPS Chartplotter You Own Forever Tired of apps renting your maps every year? Worried about your secret fishing spots being tracked or sold? It’s time to take back control. Marine Navigation is the GPS chartplotter you buy once and own for life. No hidden fees, no forced subscriptions. Since 2009, sailors, fishermen, and sea lovers have trusted us for reliable, offline navigation that respects their privacy. CHOOSE YOUR WAY TO NAVIGATE - Try Free: Download Marine Navigation Lite to explore the basics. - Full Version (One-Time Purchase): Get the complete offline chartplotter that’s yours forever. - Go PRO (Optional Subscription): Unlock professional-grade tools and navigate without limits. Your choice: own it once, or subscribe for more — total freedom. GO PRO — THE ULTIMATE NAVIGATION For the serious navigator, we built something extraordinary. The PRO version is more than just features; - PROPRIETARY S57 ENGINE: This is our masterpiece. Our custom S57 renderer brings official Electronic Navigational Charts (ENC) to your device with a speed and detail once reserved for systems costing thousands. - UNLIMITED CUSTOM MAPS: Our most revolutionary feature, supercharged. Scan a paper chart, import a satellite image of a wreck, or even use a treasure map. Our powerful georeferencing tool lets you turn any image into a fully navigable, offline chart in minutes. Your knowledge, mapped. - GLOBAL OFFLINE TIDES: Accurate tidal data for any point on the map, calculated on your device. No internet needed, powered by the high-precision FES2022b global model. - ADVANCED TOOLS: Overlay multiple maps, adjust transparency, and gain a level of control that competitors simply cannot match. - FISH FORECAST (NEW): Fish Forecast helps you plan fishing trips with an Activity Score, built from Solunar, plus real fishing weather and ocean conditions. YOUR DATA IS SACRED We respect your privacy. We don’t track you. We don’t analyze your locations. We never sell your data. Everything you save stays safely on your device. Your fishing spots remain yours — always. FULL VERSION — EVERYTHING YOU NEED - RELIABLE OFFLINE MAPS: Download your charts and navigate with confidence far from shore. Our entire download system has been rebuilt from the ground up based on user feedback for total clarity and control. - COMPLETE GPS NAVIGATION: Create routes, record tracks, set a visual anchor alarm, use the compass (true/magnetic), and monitor your speed and direction. - NEW! ADVANCED VISUAL WAYPOINTS: Take total control of your map. Organize your spots with a library of custom icons and colors, then go beyond a simple pin: turn your chart into an intelligent log. Tag any location with the exact bait that worked, the type of fishing, catch details, and other crucial conditions. - WIDE CHART SELECTION: Access NOAA Raster & ENC, ESRI Satellite Imagery, OpenSeaMap, Bathymetric Maps, and more. - USEFUL TOOLS: Basic weather, moon & sun phases, GPX import/export. WHY CHOOSE MARINE NAVIGATION? - Freedom of Choice: Buy once for life, or subscribe to PRO — you decide. - Privacy First: Your data stays on your device, period. - Unmatched Control: From official S57 charts to your own custom maps. - Trusted by Navigators Worldwide: Reliable and independent since 2009. IMPORTANT NOTICE Good seamanship requires the use of official charts. Marine Navigation is for use with other charts and cannot replace official charts. Use at your own risk. SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION - The PRO subscription renews automatically unless turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. - You can manage or disable auto-renew in your iTunes Account Settings after purchase. --- Learn more on our official website: www.fishpoints.net Terms of Use: http://www.fishpoints.net/eula/ Privacy Policy: http://www.fishpoints.net/privacy-policy/ Try Marine Navigation and take the helm of your journey. The sea is yours.

About

Aqua Map Boating

This app provides official, weekly updated nautical charts for marine navigation. It allows for offline map downloads, GPS track recording, and integration with onboard instruments. Enhance your boating safety and experience with advanced features like weather forecasts and AIS collision detection.

Highlights
  • Official NOAA nautical charts
  • Offline map downloads
  • GPS track recording
  • Tides and currents predictions
  • Anchor Alarm
  • NMEA instrument connectivity
  • AIS with collision detection
Features
Read full description

Free 14-day trial for all subscriptions   Aqua Map offers weekly updated OFFICIAL NAUTICAL CHARTS (NOAA) for marine navigation. Purchase a chart subscription for the area of your interest, download the map areas for offline use, and connect your onboard instruments for a complete experience. ● BASIC FEATURES - Switch between manual and auto route planning modes - Record your GPS tracks - Store and share your navigation data (markers, routes, and recorded tracks) - Display tides and currents predictions and simulations - Increase your safety with Anchor Alarm - Enable Live Sharing to interact with the Aqua Map community - Display points of interest from the "ActiveCaptain" and "Waterway Guide" communities ● EXPERT SUBSCRIPTION Note: this subscription does not include charts; it must be paired with a chart subscription. - Marine forecasts (wind, waves, currents, gusts, salinity, sea surface temperature + weather information for any point on the map) - Overlay satellite images on the charts - Advanced AnchorLink with anchorage mirroring and email/telegram notifications for greater peace of mind while anchored, even if you are away from the boat - Connect your NMEA instruments via WiFi (autopilot, depth sounder, wind sensor, compass, GPS) and use their data on the app - AIS with automatic collision detection - Route Explorer for real-time information on all elements along your route ● MASTER SUBSCRIPTION FOR THE BEST NAVIGATION EXPERIENCE Note: this subscription does not include charts; it must be paired with a chart subscription. - All features of the EXPERT subscription are included in the MASTER subscription. + LOCAL DATA: > US: Army Corps of Engineers surveys for safe navigation in shallow waters > US: LNMs and "List of Lights" navaids from the Coast Guard. > Canada: NAVWARNs from the Coast Guard. > France: Warnings, Notices and Regulations from the PING > Denmark: Warnings and Notices from the DMA > Western Australia: temporary Notices from the Transport WA   ● PURCHASE OPTIONS To access the charts, you need to purchase a chart subscription for the area of interest. Optionally, you can add the Expert subscription or the Master subscription to unlock extra navigation features and additional data. Subscription payments will be made through your account (Apple ID). The annual subscription will automatically renew unless canceled at least 24 hours before expiration. You can manage your subscription and disable automatic renewal in the account settings section after purchase. Terms of use: https://www.aquamap.app/terms-and-conditions Privacy policy: https://www.aquamap.app/privacy-policy

Screenshots

Marine Navigation Lite4 screens
Aqua Map Boating4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Aqua Map Boating at 64% against Marine Navigation Lite's 3%. Aqua Map Boating also leads on ads (none vs shown) and chart position (#86 vs unranked). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Marine Navigation Lite sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per 6 months and Aqua Map Boating sells 17 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 18, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 8 level
Marine Navigation Lite versus Aqua Map Boating: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMarine Navigation LiteAqua Map Boating
PriceFreeFree
Rating—4.7 (14K ratings) — better
Positive reviews3.4% of reviews64.4% of reviews — better
Number of ratings—14K — better
Update frequencyWeeklyWeekly
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank—#86 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size106 MB174 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperMarco PalaferriGEC s.r.l.

Customer experience

Marine Navigation Lite

Written reviews29 reviews
Positive3.4%
Neutral0.0%
Negative96.6%

Aqua Map Boating

All ratings13,773 ratings
Positive93.9%
Neutral2.9%
Negative3.1%
Written reviews295 reviews
Positive64.4%
Neutral9.2%
Negative26.4%

Bugs and requests

Marine Navigation Lite

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Aqua Map Boating

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Inconsistent GPS tracking and positioning
  • Compatibility issues on older devices

Requested features

4 requests
  • Improved route planning and optimization
  • Offline map caching and seamless downloads
  • Tidal and wind data overlays
  • Sync capabilities across devices

In-app purchases

10 purchases

Marine Navigation Lite

Subscriptions8
  • Remove Ads SixMonths$0.996 Months
  • Monthly Subscription$0.991 Month
  • Remove Ads (1 Year)$1.491 Year
Show 5 more
  • 6 Months Subscription$4.496 Months
  • Update to Full Version 6Months$4.996 Months
  • Pro$5.991 Year
  • Update to Full Version 1 Year$6.991 Year
  • 1 Year Subscription$7.991 Year
One-time2
  • Remove Ads Forever$2.99
  • Full Version Forever$19.99
17 purchases

Aqua Map Boating

Subscriptions15
  • Florida - NOAA Nautical chart14 Days trial$4.991 Year
  • Alabama to Texas charts14 Days trial$4.991 Year
  • Cape Cod to Chesapeake Charts14 Days trial$4.991 Year
Show 12 more
  • New England - Nautical charts14 Days trial$4.991 Year
  • Virginia to Georgia - Charts14 Days trial$4.991 Year
  • Midwest-Minnesota lake charts14 Days trial$4.991 Year
  • Michigan & Great Lakes chart14 Days trial$4.991 Year
  • US - Nautical & Lakes charts14 Days trial$9.991 Year
  • Canada - nautical charts14 Days trial$9.991 Year
  • US & Canada - nautical charts14 Days trial$14.991 Year
  • Caribbean South Nautical chart14 Days trial$14.991 Year
  • Bermuda - nautical charts14 Days trial$14.991 Year
  • Aqua Map Expert14 Days trial$14.991 Year
  • Aqua Map Master14 Days trial$24.991 Year
  • Bahamas - Explorer Charts14 Days trial$49.991 Year
One-time2
  • US & Canada - Nautical chart$49.99
  • Bahamas - Explorer Chartbooks$139.99

Questions

Is Marine Navigation Lite free?
Marine Navigation Lite is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Aqua Map Boating free?
Aqua Map Boating is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Marine Navigation Lite or Aqua Map Boating have ads?
Marine Navigation Lite shows ads; Aqua Map Boating does not.
Which is updated more often, Marine Navigation Lite or Aqua Map Boating?
Marine Navigation Lite ships an update weekly, and Aqua Map Boating weekly. Most recently, Marine Navigation Lite was updated on October 16, 2026 and Aqua Map Boating on October 18, 2026.

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