Comparison

Boat Instrument vs CH16

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

Head to head
About

Boat Instrument

This app displays boat instrument data through customizable boxes. It connects to a SignalK server, which processes NMEA data from your boat's systems. Ideal for boat owners who want a digital dashboard.

Highlights
  • Configurable data boxes
  • SignalK server integration
  • NMEA data display
  • Customizable dashboard
Features
Read full description

A Boat Instrument for displaying data in fully configurable Boxes. The data is received via a subscription to a SignalK server. The SignalK server should be fed from your boat's NMEA data. The SignalK server can run on any supported platform, but this is usually a Raspberry Pi running a marine specific OS build.

About

CH16

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
Read full description

CH16 by Global SAR Hub is the essential maritime safety app for every seafarer. Instantly access contact details for over 350 maritime rescue coordination centers (MRCC, MRSC, JRCC, JRSC) worldwide. View Search and Rescue Regions (SRR) on an interactive map and identify the center responsible for your current position in real time. Generate IMO/GMDSS-compliant MAYDAY and PAN PAN distress messages with audio playback. Activate Man Overboard (MOB) mode to record a GPS position and guide you back to the drop point. NEW - Passage Plan: declare your route and automatically notify all rescue centers along your way, in their own language. An essential step for your safety at sea. Get notifications when you cross into a new SRR zone. Save your vessel and captain information to automatically include them in your messages and passage plans. Available in 6 languages. Works offline. Key features: • Global directory of 350+ maritime rescue centers • Interactive SRR zone map with automatic detection • GMDSS-compliant MAYDAY / PAN PAN message generator • Audio playback of distress messages • Man Overboard mode with GPS tracking and DMD format • Real-time MOB map view • Passage Plan: multilingual voyage declaration to RCCs • Persistent vessel and captain profiles • Voice recording of vessel name • SRR zone change notifications • Multilingual country search • 6 languages: EN, FR, ES, PT, IT, DE • Full offline mode Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.globalsarhub.com/terms-of-use.html Privacy Policy: https://www.globalsarhub.com/privacy-policy.html

Screenshots

Boat Instrument4 screens
CH163 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Boat Instrument at none against CH16's 2. Boat Instrument also leads on ads (none vs shown). On price, update cadence, device support and iOS requirement 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. CH16 sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Boat Instrument asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Boat Instrument ships an update every 6 weeks, CH16 every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 27, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Boat Instrument versus CH16: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBoat InstrumentCH16
PriceFreeFree
Rating1.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeks — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.013.0
Further details — not scored
Size59 MB80 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperVICTORIAN HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING ASSOCIATION INCGlobal SAR Hub

In-app purchases

None

Boat Instrument

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

CH16

Subscriptions1
  • CH16 Pro7 Days trial$0.991 Month
One-time1
  • CH16 Pro Lifetime$4.99

Questions

Is Boat Instrument free?
Boat Instrument is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is CH16 free?
CH16 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Boat Instrument or CH16 have ads?
CH16 shows ads; Boat Instrument does not.
Which is updated more often, Boat Instrument or CH16?
Boat Instrument ships an update every 6 weeks, and CH16 every 2 months. Most recently, Boat Instrument was updated on October 27, 2026 and CH16 on October 25, 2026.

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