Set And Drift vs Actual Currents
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Set And Drift
Read full descriptionHide full description
Take Current Measurements using any physical measuring device (e.g. a current stick) Ping the start and end locations, and the Set & Drift app will automatically calculate the Set Direction & Drift Rate of the current. Specify the original Event Time & Location, and the app will estimate the SAR target's approximate location.
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
Read full descriptionHide full description
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: Set And Drift at none against Actual Currents's 3. Set And Drift also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs fortnightly). Actual Currents's advantage is chart position (#164 vs unranked) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.6). 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. Set And Drift asks for nothing beyond the download.
Set And Drift ships an update every 4 days, Actual Currents fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 30, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Set And Drift | Actual Currents |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | 4.7 (20 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | — | 60.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | — | 20 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 4 days — better | Fortnightly |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | — | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | #164 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 2 MB | 22 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Susanne LEECH | Luka Catipovic |
In-app purchases
Set And Drift
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 Set And Drift free?
Is Actual Currents free?
Do Set And Drift or Actual Currents have ads?
Which is updated more often, Set And Drift or Actual Currents?
Other comparisons
