WindCalc vs Actual Currents
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
WindCalc
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This app converts apparent wind to true wind or ground wind, depending on the inputs for vessel speed and heading. This is a computation needed daily by sailing vessels underway and by ships reporting weather to national agencies. Use SOG and COG from the GPS for speed and heading to get the "true wind" used in official forecasts (sometimes called "ground wind") or use true heading derived from compass heading and knotmeter speed to get the" true wind" used on sailboat’s polar diagrams (sometimes called "water wind). Likewise this app does the reverse computation, true wind to apparent wind, so a mariner can forecast expected apparent wind based on a forecasted true wind change and known true wind boat speeds from a polar diagram. This allows mariners to plan for the sails needed and the courses available to them when the new wind appears. The app is designed with a simple, clean interface for efficient use.
Actual Currents
Visualize real-time tidal currents with animated particles and a detailed heatmap on an interactive nautical map. Plan your trips with confidence by scrubbing through time to see how currents change throughout the day, with options for global ocean currents and wind overlays.
- Animated tidal current visualization
- Real-time wind overlay
- Interactive nautical map
- Time scrubber for predictions
- Route planning with current analysis
- Global ocean currents view
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Actual Currents brings tidal currents to life with real-time animated particle visualization on a nautical-grade interactive map. See the actual flow of water in your area — not just tide times, but the speed and direction of tidal currents rendered as thousands of flowing particles over a detailed heatmap. Plan your trip with confidence by scrubbing through time to see how currents change throughout the day. FEATURES • Animated tidal current visualization with speed-colored particles and GPU-accelerated heatmap • Time scrubber — view current predictions for any time, past or future • Globe view with global ocean currents when zoomed out • Real-time wind overlay with global weather data • ENC nautical chart data with navigation aids, depth soundings, and depth contours • Satellite, bathymetry, and nautical basemap options • Route planning with current-aware analysis • Trip logging with GPS drift tracking • Location search to jump to any harbor or waterway COVERAGE • US Atlantic coast — Maine to Florida • US Pacific coast — Washington to California • Gulf of Mexico • Global ocean surface currents BUILT FOR BOATERS Whether you're sailing, fishing, kayaking, or navigating commercially, understanding tidal currents is critical for safety and efficiency. Actual Currents gives you an intuitive, visual understanding of water movement that tide tables alone can't provide. SUBSCRIPTION TIERS • Basic (free) — Real-time currents within ±3 hours of now • Pro ($4.99/mo) — Full historical and forecast access • Unlimited ($39.99/yr) — Full historical and forecast access with 7-day free trial Terms of Use: https://www.actualcurrents.com/terms.html Privacy Policy: https://www.actualcurrents.com/privacy.html
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: WindCalc at none against Actual Currents's 3. WindCalc also leads on iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). Actual Currents's advantage is chart position (#197 vs unranked). On price, 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. Actual Currents sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. WindCalc asks for nothing beyond the download.
| Parameter | WindCalc | Actual Currents |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | 4.7 (20 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | — | 60.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | — | 20 — better |
| Update frequency | — | Fortnightly |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | — | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | #197 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 49 MB | 22 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Starpath Corp | Luka Catipovic |
In-app purchases
WindCalc
No in-app purchases
Actual Currents
- Pro monthly$2.991 Month
- Unlimited monthly$4.991 Month
- Unlimited Yearly7 Days trial$39.991 Year
Questions
Is WindCalc free?
Is Actual Currents free?
Do WindCalc or Actual Currents have ads?
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