Comparison

Universal EV vs SeaMate

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

Head to head
About

Universal EV

Locate electric vehicle charging stations, view real-time availability and pricing, and reserve spots in advance. Manage payments and track charging sessions for a seamless charging experience.

Highlights
  • Find nearby charging stations
  • Real-time availability and pricing
  • Streamlined payment process
  • Track charging session activity
  • Reserve charging spots
  • Future smart charging features
Features
Read full description

Charge Smarter with Universal EV Universal EV makes electric vehicle charging simple, convenient, and connected. Find nearby charging stations, check availability, view charging details, start charging sessions, manage payments, and track your charging activity—all from one app. FIND CHARGING STATIONS Easily discover nearby Universal EV charging stations using the in-app map. Find charging locations when you need them and plan your charging stops with greater confidence. CHECK AVAILABILITY & DETAILS View available charging station information before you arrive. Check station availability, connector compatibility, charger type, pricing, and other available details to choose the right charging location for your vehicle. START & MANAGE CHARGING Start your charging session through the app at supported Universal EV stations. Monitor your session and stay informed while your vehicle is charging. CONVENIENT PAYMENTS Manage your payment information and pay for supported charging sessions directly through the app. Keep your charging experience simple and organized. TRACK YOUR CHARGING ACTIVITY Keep track of your EV charging sessions and review useful information such as charging duration, energy consumed, and amount spent. Your charging history helps you stay informed about your charging activity. RESERVE A CHARGER At supported locations, reserve a charging spot in advance and plan your charging stop with greater peace of mind. A GROWING EV CHARGING NETWORK Universal EV is building a growing charging network across the United States, with Level 2 and DC Fast Charging solutions designed for everyday drivers, commuters, travelers, and EV owners. CHARGE WITH CONFIDENCE Whether you need a quick DC fast charge or a longer Level 2 session, Universal EV brings essential charging tools together in one convenient app. Download Universal EV and make your EV charging experience easier—from finding a charger to completing your charging session.

About

SeaMate

Features
Read full description

Most of search and rescue is the search. SeaMate is built around that one fact. Official NOAA charts and live tide data get you where you're going. The safety tools get you home. WHEN SOMETHING GOES WRONG • MAYDAY assistant — a complete distress call written out for you, with your exact position in degrees and minutes, ready to read aloud over VHF • Man overboard — one tap drops a mark, starts a time-in-water clock, and guides you back to it • Coast Guard contact lookup for the sector you're actually in • Float plan you can send to someone ashore before you leave the dock WHILE YOU'RE UNDERWAY • Anchor watch with a drag alarm loud enough to wake you • Bridge and overhead cable clearance checked against your air draft • Depth shading tuned to your vessel's actual draft • Route planning that checks every leg against charted hazards • Live NOAA tides, currents, and marine weather • Pre-departure checklists so nothing gets left on the dock • Voyage log with a recorded GPS track WHEN THE SIGNAL DROPS • Download full chart packs for entire coastal regions • Complete NOAA ENC vector charts for US waters • Everything keeps working with no cell service ASK THE CAPTAIN Plain-language passage planning. Ask about your route, the conditions ahead, an unfamiliar harbor, or what a chart symbol means — and get an answer that knows your boat and where you are. ONE PRICE. EVERYTHING INCLUDED. No tiers. No add-on chart purchases. No feature held back for a higher plan. Everything listed here is in the subscription. Try it all free for 7 days. Then $59.99/year, or $9.99/month. Price-lock promise: your rate never increases for as long as you stay subscribed. Built by a former search-and-rescue pilot, for the trip home. IMPORTANT — SeaMate is a supplemental aid to navigation. It is not a substitute for official paper charts, a properly installed chartplotter, a VHF radio, or an EPIRB, and it is not a guarantee of rescue. Always maintain a proper lookout and carry required safety equipment. Subscription automatically renews unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Payment is charged to your Apple ID at confirmation of purchase. Manage or cancel in Settings → Apple ID → Subscriptions. Terms of Use: https://www.risleetree.com/seamate/terms/ Privacy Policy: https://www.risleetree.com/seamate/privacy/

Screenshots

Universal EV4 screens
SeaMate4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Universal EV at none against SeaMate's 2. Universal EV also leads on device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (14.0 vs 16.4). SeaMate's advantage is update cadence (every 10 days vs monthly). On price and ads 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. SeaMate sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $12.99 per month. Universal EV asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Universal EV ships an update monthly, SeaMate every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Universal EV versus SeaMate: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterUniversal EVSeaMate
PriceFreeFree
Rating1.8 (25 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews8.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings25 — better—
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 10 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS14.0 — better16.4
Further details — not scored
Size98 MB70 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperUniversal EV LLCThe Rislee Tree Company LLC

In-app purchases

None

Universal EV

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

SeaMate

Subscriptions2
  • SeaMate Monthly7 Days trial$12.991 Month
  • SeaMate Annual7 Days trial$69.991 Year

Questions

Is Universal EV free?
Universal EV is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is SeaMate free?
SeaMate is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Universal EV or SeaMate have ads?
Neither Universal EV nor SeaMate shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Universal EV or SeaMate?
Universal EV ships an update monthly, and SeaMate every 10 days. Most recently, Universal EV was updated on October 24, 2026 and SeaMate on October 16, 2026.

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