Ventus PRO vs Helmsman's Kit
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Ventus PRO
Control key features of Expedition Navigation Software remotely from your device. Manage timers, set start lines, view active marks, and create new courses with precision.
- Remote control for Expedition Navigation Software
- Expedition Timer control (15, 10, 5, 3 min)
- Set Start Line ends
- View Active Mark
- Select Active course
- Ping new mark by range and bearing
- MOB Button
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Ventus PRO, the first and only system that gives you control of key Expedition Navigation Software features from a remote device. Our new PRO version not only has all the features of the original Ventus Navigator that lets you view all the data that Expedition puts out in the palm of your hand but also gives you the ability to control the key functions of Expedition remotely. New Features Include: * - Uses the Expedition Timer 15, 10,5, or 3 minute timers * - Set the ends of the Start Line * - View the Active Mark in your current course * - Select Active course from your course list * - Select the mark you want to be Active in the current course * - Ping new mark by range and bearing to create a new active course, or to insert new mark into an existing course * - MOB Button on each page
Helmsman's Kit
This navigation app provides essential yacht cockpit features, including a spherical compass, man-over-board alerts, and anchor watch. It offers offline charts, weather overlays, and marine instrument displays for a comprehensive sailing experience.
- Spherical compass display
- Man-over-board button with direction/distance
- Anchor watch with forwarding
- Offline chart caching
- Weather overlay (wind, waves, temp, pressure)
- Marine instruments display (position, heading, speed)
- Track export in GPX format
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This app combines the essential features you need in the cockpit of your yacht, optimized for easy and fast usage. • Display of a spherical compass as you are used to. • Man-over-board button, display direction/distance with compass. • Anchor watch with forwarding to a second device. • Bearing compass. • Charts with sea signs. • Offline charts by caching of all chart access. • Weather overlay: wind, waves, temperature, pressure. • Tracking optimized for boats. • Full access to and export of the tracks in standard format (GPX). • Post images of your tracks on social media. • Marine instruments display with the standard values: Position, Heading, Speed over ground, Course over Ground, Heel, Log, Average speed, Time. No account or registration required, even not for forwarding the anchor watch alarm to a second iPhone or iPad!
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Helmsman's Kit at $1.99 against Ventus PRO's $119.99. Helmsman's Kit also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 2) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.6). On review sentiment, update cadence, ads 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
Ventus PRO costs $119.99 and Helmsman's Kit $1.99 up front. Ventus PRO sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Helmsman's Kit asks for nothing beyond the download.
Ventus PRO ships an update every 4 months, Helmsman's Kit every 7 months. The most recent releases landed on October 11, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Ventus PRO | Helmsman's Kit |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $119.99 | $1.99 — better |
| Rating | 5.0 (2 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 2 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months — better | Every 7 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | 13.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 5 MB | 5 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Ventus Navigation LLC | Dr. Harald Merkel |
Customer experience
Ventus PRO
Helmsman's Kit
In-app purchases
Ventus PRO
- VentusPro - Pebble Watch Link$9.99
- VentusPro - Strip Chart$24.99
Helmsman's Kit
No in-app purchases









