# VesselAware vs CH16

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: VesselAware at none against CH16's 2. VesselAware also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (daily vs every 2 months). CH16's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). On price and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. CH16 sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. VesselAware asks for nothing beyond the download.

VesselAware ships an update daily, CH16 every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 29, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | VesselAware | CH16 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Positive reviews | — | 100.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Daily** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | — | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 43 MB | 80 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Altamar Technologies Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/1725870411) | [Global SAR Hub](https://appshunter.io/developer/1888797457) |

## What reviewers say

### VesselAware

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vesselaware/id6476114797)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### CH16

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ch16/id6761360179)

This maritime safety app provides instant access to global rescue coordination centers and features tools for generating distress messages and planning voyages. It offers real-time location tracking for man overboard situations and works offline, ensuring safety at sea.

**Highlights:** Global maritime rescue center directory, Interactive SRR zone map, GMDSS-compliant distress message generator, Man Overboard (MOB) mode with GPS tracking, Passage Plan for voyage declaration, Offline functionality, Multilingual support

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| CH16 Pro | $0.99 | per month |
| CH16 Pro Lifetime | $4.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is VesselAware free?

VesselAware is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is CH16 free?

CH16 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do VesselAware or CH16 have ads?

CH16 shows ads; VesselAware does not.

### Which is updated more often, VesselAware or CH16?

VesselAware ships an update daily, and CH16 every 2 months. Most recently, VesselAware was updated on September 29, 2026 and CH16 on October 2, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*