Regatta Hero vs Pathfinder Sailing
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Regatta Hero
This app enables participants and organizers to manage and track sailing regattas. It automatically applies handicap ratings, sends GPS coordinates in real-time, and receives race management information. Follow races live or as replays with automatic scoring.
- Real-time GPS tracking
- Automatic handicap rating application
- Live race management updates
- Automatic scoring (Time-on-Distance/Time-on-Time)
- Live race following and replay
- Support for various handicap systems
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The app for participants and organizers of Regatta Hero regattas. The Regatta Hero system is particularly suited for club, fun, pursuit and training regattas. Handicap ratings are automatically applied in the race results or in the individual boats start time. The regatta participants have a smartphone on board that sends GPS coordinates and communicates all information. The app's data usage is approximately equivalent to streaming music or about 20-30 percent of what map apps consume in navigation mode per minute. For dinghies, catamarans, etc., the smartphone with the activated app is placed in the zippered pocket of the life jacket (possibly wrapped in a waterproof case). The app then communicates acoustically. With the help of this app, GPS coordinates are sent to the Regatta Hero system in real time. Additionally, the app receives all information from the race management (starting sequence with flags and acoustic signals, general announcements, race time, course shortening, false start info, etc.). The app supports regattas with PHRF, Yardstick, SCHRS, Texel ratings (and other handicap systems). Pursuit starts can also be conducted. The scoring is automatic and available shortly after the last boat crosses the finish line. Both Time-on-Distance and Time-on-Time scoring is supported. Any course can be defined. The regatta can be followed live and as a replay on the screen. The passcode necessary for operating the app is provided by your race director. For further information, please visit our website.
Pathfinder Sailing
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The Pathfinder Sailing App for the iPhone and Apple Watch is the Ultimate App for Sailboat Racing. This app helps you get better starts, hit the wind shifts, and sail faster. Racing screens provide input on your starts, boat speed, wind shift management, and current trends—right on your iPhone or Apple Watch. Race replay and analysis allow you to view your race and performance details and compare your boat track over a Google map with other boats in your fleet using the Pathfinder app. Live Map shows your boat's location and track over several different map backgrounds, including NOAA charts where available. The Marks & Courses screen allows you to create marks, import gpx files for marks and courses, and drop marks on the Live Map. You can then navigate to them via the Navigate screen or Live Map. You can also select a free and provided NOAA current GRIB or a paid GRIB from another service such as Tidetech or Mercator. Two plans are offered: - Pathfinder Plus Plan with sailing instrument integration - Pathfinder Basic plan, which uses your iPhone's GPS Post-race virtual replay provides metrics analysis to improve your sailing performance. You must purchase a monthly or annual subscription to access this content and all race screens within the app after the 14-day free trial period. App features: - Race Timer with audible output to time your starts more effectively. Supports custom time countdown. - Start screens to nail your starts by precisely pinging your start line and tracking the Distance Below Line and your required Speed to Start. - Speed screen to compare your actual performance to polar target speeds and wind angles to get up to speed faster (Plus Plan) - Compare your real-time performance to your polars for real-time feedback on speed and wind angles (Plus Plan) - Visualize wind shift trends to understand the oscillations and better predict shifts (Plus Plan) - Understand the impact of tidal current on your boat and whether you are sailing into a different current with Live Map and NOAA current GRIB (all plans) - Record your races and replay them - Track your performance metrics after the race - Export race logs in JSON or Expedition format for offline analysis Free trial - If you subscribe to the Pathfinder Sailing app, your first 14 days are free. A paid subscription is required beyond the free trial period to access the content. You will be billed for the monthly or annual subscription at the end of the trial. Your subscription will automatically renew at the end of the subscription period. By using this app, you agree to the Pathfinder Sailing Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy at pathfindersailing.com EULA: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Terms and Conditions: https://pathfindersailing.com/termsandconditions/ Privacy Policy: https://pathfindersailing.com/privacy/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Regatta Hero at none against Pathfinder Sailing's 3. On price, update cadence, ads and device support 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. Pathfinder Sailing sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Regatta Hero asks for nothing beyond the download.
Regatta Hero ships an update every 2 weeks, Pathfinder Sailing every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and October 27, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Regatta Hero | Pathfinder Sailing |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (5 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 5 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks — better | Every 3 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPod, Apple Watch |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 23 MB | 34 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | KRISTIAN RAUE | Pathfinder Sailing LLC |
In-app purchases
Regatta Hero
No in-app purchases
Pathfinder Sailing
- Monthly Basic Subscription1 Month trial$9.991 Month
- Monthly Subscription1 Month trial$19.991 Month
- Yearly Subscription1 Month trial$190.001 Year
Questions
Is Regatta Hero free?
Is Pathfinder Sailing free?
Do Regatta Hero or Pathfinder Sailing have ads?
Which is updated more often, Regatta Hero or Pathfinder Sailing?
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