Comparison

Fish Mapping vs Sea Depth

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

Head to head
About

Fish Mapping

This app provides detailed fishing recommendations and environmental data to help anglers find the best spots for bait and game fish. It displays information like plankton strength, sea surface temperature, and ocean currents to optimize fishing trips.

Highlights
  • Fishing Recommendations
  • Weed Lines
  • Plankton Front Strength
  • Sea Surface Temperature
  • Sub-Surface Temperatures
  • Sea Surface Height Anomalies
  • Ocean Currents
Features
Read full description

The Fish Mapping App delivers advanced, science-based fishing intelligence directly to your mobile device or desktop, helping you plan smarter and fish more efficiently. With the latest upgrades, the App now offers an enhanced experience with powerful new tools and expanded data layers designed to help anglers quickly identify fishing areas where conditions are best for bait fish to gather and where game fish are most likely to hunt. With the Fish Mapping App, anglers can view the following features on their mobile or desktop devices: • AI Hot Zones (updated daily) • Oceanographer Fish Recommendations (updated twice weekly) • Ocean data layers – Sea Temperatures, Plankton, Currents, Salinity, Thermocline (updated daily) • Altimetry & True-Color imaging (updated daily) • Bathymetry TWO WAYS TO GET FISH MAPPING • Download and then subscribe in the app for App-Only plan. Choose Annual Mobile, Annual Mobile + Desktop, or 1-Week Mobile + Desktop. • Already a SiriusXM Marine Fish Mapping satellite subscriber? Download and then activate the app with your receiver's Radio ID. The app is included with your satellite subscription. Note: SiriusXM Marine weather features are not available on the Fish Mapping App. Download the Fish Mapping App now and start using it on your Mobile or desktop devices to help plan your next fishing trip! App requires internet access. Learn more at siriusxm.com/fishmapping -------------------------- APP-ONLY PLAN OFFER DETAILS Choose either a 1-week or annual Fish Mapping App subscription plan. The 1-week plans do not renew and will end at the end of the stated term. If selecting an annual plan, service will AUTOMATICALLY RENEW each year at the then-current annual rate plus appl. tax, until you cancel. Cancel at least 24 hours before your renewal date in your Apple account (Settings → [your name] → Subscriptions) to avoid future charges. Cancellation is effective at the end of your then-current term. No refunds/credits unless permitted by Apple. App-only plans do not include satellite service. Internet access required. All fees, content, and features are subject to change. Service not available in AK or HI. SATELLITE SUBSCRIBERS Access to the app may take up to 24 hours from subscription activation to process. Satellite subscriptions require a compatible satellite-enabled device. App subscribers on a Mobile-only plan are limited to two (2) mobile devices. App subscribers on a Mobile + Desktop plan are limited to two (2) devices in any of the following combinations: 2 mobile devices, or 2 desktop devices, or 1 mobile and 1 desktop device. Changing to new devices can take up to 24 hours. Internet access is required for the Fish Mapping App. Data rates may apply. The SiriusXM Fish Mapping® App is administered by OceanBytes Holding LLC. Fish Mapping App Privacy Policy: www.siriusxm.com/fish-mapping-privacy-policy Terms of Use (SiriusXM Customer Agreement): www.siriusxm.com/customer-agreement

About

Sea Depth

Visualize detailed underwater terrain with high-resolution bathymetric charts. Gain deeper insights into seafloor structure, contours, and terrain for offshore activities. Includes optional data overlays and waypoint management for enhanced situational awareness.

Highlights
  • High-resolution shaded-relief bathymetry
  • Detailed depth contours with intelligent labeling
  • Optional data overlays (pipelines, bottom composition)
  • GPX waypoint import/export
  • Drift Test tool
  • Offline chart access
Features
Read full description

SeaDepth delivers professional-grade bathymetric charts for anglers looking to add a new level of detail and insight offshore. Built using high-resolution survey data and advanced shaded-relief techniques, SeaDepth reveals underwater structure, contours, and terrain that traditional charts often fail to show. The result is a clearer, more intuitive view of the seafloor - helping anglers and captains better understand offshore environments before and during time on the water. In addition to detailed depth visualization, SeaDepth offers optional data overlays, intelligent contour labeling, waypoint interoperability, and analytical tools that enhance situational awareness offshore. Key Features • High-resolution shaded-relief bathymetry • Detailed, clearly labeled depth contours • Intelligent contour interval scaling by depth range • Pipeline overlay (Gulf of America) • Bottom composition overlays highlighting seafloor characteristics • GPX waypoint import and export for interoperability with other platforms • Drift Test tool to observe drift direction and speed over time • Offline chart access for use beyond cellular coverage • Smooth zooming and panning optimized for offshore use Depth Contours with Intelligent Labeling SeaDepth uses a graduated contour labeling scheme designed to provide maximum detail where it matters most, while maintaining clarity and performance in deeper  depths: • 1-foot contour intervals from 1 to 500 feet • 10-foot contour intervals from 500 to 2,500 feet • 80-foot contour intervals from 2,500 feet to abyssal depths This approach delivers high-resolution insight in shallow and mid-depth areas while avoiding visual clutter in deepwater environments. Overlay Intelligence SeaDepth allows users to enable optional overlay layers such as pipelines and bottom composition data in supported regions, including the Gulf of America. These overlays provide additional context and help users interpret bottom features and structural edges with greater confidence. All available overlay layers are included at no additional charge. Waypoint Management (GPX Support) SeaDepth supports importing and exporting waypoints using the GPX file format, making it easy to move data between SeaDepth and other compatible marine devices, charting software, or planning tools. This allows users to maintain consistent waypoint libraries across platforms. SeaDrift-Drift Test Feature The built-in Drift Test feature helps users evaluate drift behavior by tracking movement over time. This is especially useful when assessing current and wind influence to have more productive drifts. Built for Offshore Reliability Charts, overlays, and waypoint data are stored locally on the device, allowing SeaDepth to function reliably offshore where connectivity may be limited or unavailable. Performance and usability are optimized for real-world offshore conditions. Disclaimer SeaDepth is intended as a supplemental planning and visualization tool only. It is not a substitute for official nautical charts, onboard navigation systems, or prudent seamanship. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Fish Mapping4 screens
Sea Depth4 screens

Verdict

The call

Fish Mapping and Sea Depth both sit at 4.2 stars, but that hides the real split: 100% of Sea Depth's written reviews are positive against 50% of Fish Mapping's. Sea Depth also leads on monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription) and update cadence (every 5 days vs every 3 weeks). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases 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. Fish Mapping sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $199.00 per year and Sea Depth sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $99.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.2 for Fish Mapping against 4.2 for Sea Depth. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 5 and 16 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 50% of Fish Mapping's written reviews are positive against 100% of Sea Depth's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Fish Mapping ships an update every 3 weeks, Sea Depth every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Fish Mapping versus Sea Depth: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFish MappingSea Depth
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.2 (5 ratings) — better4.2 (16 ratings)
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings516 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationSubscriptionFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.115.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size128 MB106 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperOceanBytes Holding LLCSeadepth Charts, LLC

Customer experience

Fish Mapping

All ratings3 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

Sea Depth

All ratings14 ratings
Positive85.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative14.3%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Fish Mapping

Subscriptions2
  • Annual Mobile$199.001 Year
  • Annual Mobile + Desktop$299.001 Year
One-time1
  • 1-Week Mobile + Desktop$24.99
10 purchases

Sea Depth

Subscriptions1
  • Premium Charts Access7 Days trial$99.991 Year
One-time9
  • Western GOA 50%$150.00
  • Eastern GOA 30%$209.99
  • Cental GOA 20%$239.99
Show 6 more
  • Eastern GOA 20%$239.99
  • Cental GOA$300.00
  • Western GOA$300.00
  • Eastern GOA$300.00
  • Florida-West Coast$300.00
  • South Florida/Northern Bahamas$300.00

Questions

Is Fish Mapping free?
Fish Mapping is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Sea Depth free?
Sea Depth is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Fish Mapping or Sea Depth?
Fish Mapping is rated higher. Fish Mapping averages 4.2 out of 5 from 5 ratings, while Sea Depth averages 4.2 from 16 ratings.
Do Fish Mapping or Sea Depth have ads?
Neither Fish Mapping nor Sea Depth shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Fish Mapping or Sea Depth?
Fish Mapping ships an update every 3 weeks, and Sea Depth every 5 days. Most recently, Fish Mapping was updated on November 3, 2026 and Sea Depth on October 30, 2026.

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