Comparison

Sea Maps vs DirtGPS

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

Head to head
About

Sea Maps

This marine navigation app provides boaters with interactive maps, real-time weather overlays, and AIS vessel tracking. It offers advanced features like bathymetry, anchor alarms, and track recording for safe and informed ocean exploration.

Highlights
  • Interactive marine charts
  • Real-time weather overlays
  • AIS vessel tracking
  • Anchor alarm system
  • Track recording
  • Bathymetry data
Features
Read full description

Sea Maps is a marine navigation and weather app designed for boaters, anglers, and ocean explorers. Enjoy a free trial, then continue with a paid subscription to access all core features, including weather overlays, AIS vessel tracking, and advanced marine charts. Sea Maps Features -Core Navigation & Mapping Interactive map with multiple map types (Water World, Satellite, Streets, Hybrid, Moonlight, Ocean Contours) GPS location services with real-time user position tracking Automatic region management and centering. -Navigation & Compass Full-screen compass display with magnetic heading indicator Speed Over Ground (SOG) in real-time (knots) Bearing to pin: Green arrow showing direction to dropped pin Minimized heading view at top of screen Track recording: Start/stop with map snapshots Background location tracking -Marker & Pin System Dropped pin information popup with precise coordinates Latitude/Longitude display in DMS format (Degrees, Minutes, Seconds) Distance calculation from current location to pin Ocean current data at pin location (speed & direction) Sea surface temperature at pin location Pin management & removal Save custom markers with names and descriptions -Marine Weather & Ocean Data Sea Surface Temperature (SST) - Heat map with customizable temperature range (15-28°C) Ocean Winds - Wind speed heat map with animated wind particles and direction indicators Ocean Currents - Current flow visualization with particle animation Visible Satellite Imagery - Real-time satellite overlay Wind Animation Timeline - Play/pause/scrub controls for wind data Marine Forecast System - 7-day weather forecast with tide, swell, wind, and ocean current charts Weather Icons - Colour-coded weather conditions with moon phases -AIS (Automatic Identification System) Real-time AIS vessel tracking and information Detailed ship information popup with position, speed, heading Ship type classification and categorisation -Bathymetry & Charts Bathymetry Overlay - Ocean depth contours with configurable visualisation Navigation Aid Markers - Buoys, lights, and other maritime markers Chart Data Caching - Local storage for offline access -Safety & Monitoring Anchor Alarm System - Geofencing with configurable radius (50m default) Real-time Distance Monitoring - Continuous tracking from anchor point Background Location Tracking - Continuous monitoring even when app is closed Customizable Alarm Radius - Adjustable geofence size Track Management - GPS route recording with timestamps and custom naming Track Visualization - Display recorded routes on map Map Snapshots - Capture track data with map images -Settings & Customization Map Type Selection - Grid-based interface for choosing map styles Unit Conversions - Temperature (Celsius/Fahrenheit) and speed (Metric/Imperial) Accessibility Support - Dynamic text sizing -Subscription Details Sea Maps requires an active subscription to access app features. Pricing and duration are displayed in the app before purchase. A free trial is available for new users. Manage or cancel anytime through your App Store account settings. -Terms and Policies Privacy Policy https://www.appaspires.com/privacy/privacy.pdf Terms of Use https://www.appaspires.com/terms/termsofuse.pdf

About

DirtGPS

This app provides precise GPS navigation for off-road activities like racing and exploration. It offers real-time speed and position tracking, easy waypoint marking, and the ability to record and replay routes, all in a user-friendly interface designed for high-speed use.

Highlights
  • Real-time GPS with speed & heading
  • One-tap waypoint marking
  • Track recording and replay
  • Offline satellite maps
  • GPX import and export
  • Prerunner mode
  • 3D terrain with satellite imagery
Read full description

Built for speed, precision, and zero signal. DirtGPS is a purpose built GPS navigation app for offroad racing, prerunning, and remote exploration. Combining powerful navigation tools with a clean, easy to use interface. Track your speed, heading, and position in real time. Mark hazards and key locations instantly. Record your runs and replay them later to refine your lines, all without digging through complicated menus. Hear every waypoint called out hands-free as you approach it, and share your race live with anyone who wants to follow along. Designed to perform in harsh environments and high-speed conditions, DirtGPS keeps everything simple, visible, and within reach. FEATURES • Real-time GPS with speed & heading • Fast, intuitive interface designed for use at speed • One-tap waypoint marking with custom icons and colours • Voice navigation with hands-free callouts for every waypoint • Live GPS tracking on one permanent shareable link • Live in-car video streaming with up to 4 cameras • Two-way pit crew messaging • Track recording with full route history and trip stats • Offline satellite maps using Mapbox • GPX import and export support • Prerunner mode for marking race courses and hazards • Track replay for post-run analysis • Collections to organise tracks and waypoints • 3D terrain with satellite imagery • Optimised for iPhone and iPad DESIGNED FOR OFF-ROAD Built for racers, prerunners, and off-road explorers who need reliable navigation in demanding environments. DirtGPS is designed to perform where traditional navigation apps fall short. FREE VERSION • Real-time GPS navigation • Record 1 track • Up to 25 waypoints • Import/export 1 GPX file • 1 collection DIRTGPS PRO Unlock the full capability of DirtGPS: • Unlimited track recording • Unlimited waypoints and collections • Offline satellite maps • Prerunner mode • Voice navigation • Live GPS tracking • Track replay • Unlimited GPX import and export DIRTGPS PREMIUM Everything in PRO, plus your race day broadcast: • Live in-car video streaming with up to 4 cameras • Custom sponsor overlays on your stream • Multistream to other platforms • Two-way pit crew messaging IMPORTANT NOTES • Requires iOS 17 or iPadOS 17 or later • Continued use of GPS in the background can significantly reduce battery life • Devices without built-in GPS (WiFi-only models) require an external GPS receiver for accurate positioning • Offline maps must be downloaded before entering areas without coverage • Live tracking, streaming and pit crew messaging require an internet connection in the vehicle • Map data is provided via Mapbox and subject to availability SUBSCRIPTION TERMS DirtGPS PRO and DirtGPS Premium are auto-renewable subscriptions, available monthly or yearly, each with a 7 day free trial for new subscribers. Payment is charged to your Apple Account at confirmation of purchase. Subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage or cancel in your device Settings under your Apple Account, then Subscriptions. Terms of Use (EULA): https://dirtgps.com/terms.html Privacy Policy: https://dirtgps.com/privacy.html

Screenshots

Sea Maps4 screens
DirtGPS4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: DirtGPS at free with in-app purchases against Sea Maps's subscription. DirtGPS also leads on update cadence (every 9 days vs monthly) and iOS requirement (17.0 vs 26.0). On price, review sentiment, 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. Sea Maps sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $14.99 per 3 months and DirtGPS sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $12.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Sea Maps ships an update monthly, DirtGPS every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Sea Maps versus DirtGPS: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSea MapsDirtGPS
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 9 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationSubscriptionFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS26.017.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size106 MB39 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAPP ASPIRESDIRTGPS PTY LTD

Customer experience

Sea Maps

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

DirtGPS

Written reviews3 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Sea Maps

Subscriptions3
  • 3 Months Subscription14 Days trial$14.993 Months
  • 6 Month Subscription14 Days trial$24.996 Months
  • 1 Year Subscription14 Days trial$39.991 Year
2 purchases

DirtGPS

Subscriptions2
  • DirtGPS PRO Monthly7 Days trial$12.991 Month
  • DirtGPS PRO Yearly7 Days trial$79.991 Year

Questions

Is Sea Maps free?
Sea Maps is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is DirtGPS free?
DirtGPS is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Sea Maps or DirtGPS have ads?
Neither Sea Maps nor DirtGPS shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Sea Maps or DirtGPS?
Sea Maps ships an update monthly, and DirtGPS every 9 days. Most recently, Sea Maps was updated on October 24, 2026 and DirtGPS on October 31, 2026.

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