Comparison

Maritime Master vs IRPCS

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

Head to head
About

Maritime Master

Learn seamanship and small-craft navigation with interactive diagrams and calculators. Practice plotting positions, understanding tides, and mastering navigation techniques. Includes a reference library for essential maritime knowledge.

Highlights
  • Interactive diagrams and calculators
  • Dead reckoning and estimated position plotting
  • Tidal height and stream visualization
  • Position fixing and compass error modules
  • COLREGs, VHF, and meteorology reference
  • Speed-time-distance and unit conversion calculators
Features
Read full description

Maritime Master – Skipper is a learning companion for seamanship and small-craft navigation. It explains core concepts with interactive diagrams and clear calculators so you can practise the methods, see the effects of wind and current, and build confidence before you go afloat. Train the full workflow from plan to pilotage. Plot dead reckoning and estimated positions, add leeway, and model set and drift to understand motion over the ground. Work out a course to steer to make good a desired track, then explore how small changes in time, speed or current alter the result. A position-fixing module shows how one, two or three bearings intersect, while the compass section helps you understand deviation and compass error. Tides are presented visually to make the theory stick. Compare the Rule of Twelfths with a sine-curve model, step through time to see heights change, and review tidal streams in an easy atlas format. Passage-planning and pilotage notes turn chartwork techniques into practical checklists for entering and leaving harbour. A built-in reference library keeps key knowledge together for study: COLREGs text with buoyage, sound signals, day shapes and rules of the road; VHF channels and radio frequencies; concise emergency procedure overviews; plus meteorology essentials including the Beaufort scale, Douglas sea states, wind barbs, cloud types, weather fronts and the Coriolis effect. Calculators cover speed–time–distance, ETA, set and drift, position fixing, rhumb vs great-circle distance, true wind and comprehensive unit conversions. Training-only notice: Maritime Master – Skipper is for education, revision and simulation. It is not a substitute for official charts, publications, instruments or certified training, and must not be used for real-world navigation or operational decision-making. Always navigate using approved sources and local notices to mariners.

About

IRPCS

Features
Read full description

IRPCS is a focused training app for learning, revising and practising the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, commonly known as IRPCS or COLREGS. Built for skippers, SAR crew, lifeboat crews, maritime students, professional mariners and everyday boaters, IRPCS helps turn complex collision regulations into practical knowledge you can understand, remember and apply on the water. Whether you are preparing for an RYA, MCA or STCW assessment, supporting Search and Rescue training, refreshing your knowledge before going afloat, or improving your confidence with collision avoidance, IRPCS gives you a clear and structured way to study the rules that keep vessels safe at sea. The app covers all IRPCS/COLREGS rules, combining the official rule text with plain-English explanations, from experienced professionals. This helps you move beyond memorising wording and understand what each rule means in real situations, including who gives way, what action to take, how vessels should behave in restricted visibility, and how lights, shapes and sound signals are used. IRPCS is designed for regular practice. Use bite-sized lessons, adaptive quizzes and realistic maritime scenarios to build confidence step by step. Track your progress, identify weak areas and return to the topics that need more work. Key features include: • All IRPCS/COLREGS rules in one place • Official rule text with clear plain-English explanations • Adaptive quizzes to help identify weak areas • Realistic collision avoidance scenarios • Lights, shapes and sound signal practice • Progress tracking to monitor improvement • Offline access for use while travelling or at sea • Useful for SAR, lifeboat, commercial and leisure users • Suitable for beginners, trainees and experienced mariners IRPCS is useful for: • RYA Day Skipper, Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster preparation • MCA and STCW maritime training • Search and Rescue crew development • Lifeboat crew training and revision • Commercial vessel operators • Sailing, motor boating and powerboat users • Harbour, inshore and coastal navigation • Refreshing knowledge before going afloat From steering and sailing rules to responsibilities between vessels, navigation lights, day shapes, sound signals, conduct in restricted visibility and actions to avoid collision, IRPCS helps you practise the knowledge that matters at sea. Learn the rules. Test your understanding. Build confidence. Stay safer on the water. Download IRPCS and start improving your COLREGS knowledge today. Subscription terms: IRPCS may offer auto-renewing subscriptions that provide access to premium learning, revision and practice features. Payment will be charged to your Apple ID account at confirmation of purchase. Subscriptions automatically renew unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can manage or cancel your subscription in your App Store account settings. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://irpcs.app/privacy IRPCS Terms: https://irpcs.app/terms

Screenshots

Maritime Master4 screens
IRPCS4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Maritime Master at none against IRPCS's 2. Maritime Master also leads on ads (none vs shown). IRPCS's advantage is update cadence (every 3 days vs every 6 weeks) and iOS requirement (15.1 vs 17.6). On price 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. IRPCS sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Maritime Master asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Maritime Master ships an update every 6 weeks, IRPCS every 3 days. Both last shipped on November 5, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Maritime Master versus IRPCS: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMaritime MasterIRPCS
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksEvery 3 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS17.615.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size10 MB73 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperMARITIME MASTER LIMITEDPaul Whittle

In-app purchases

None

Maritime Master

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

IRPCS

Subscriptions2
  • IRPCS Pro 1 month$4.991 Month
  • IRPCS Pro$29.991 Year

Questions

Is Maritime Master free?
Maritime Master is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is IRPCS free?
IRPCS is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Maritime Master or IRPCS have ads?
IRPCS shows ads; Maritime Master does not.
Which is updated more often, Maritime Master or IRPCS?
Maritime Master ships an update every 6 weeks, and IRPCS every 3 days. Most recently, Maritime Master was updated on November 5, 2026 and IRPCS on November 5, 2026.

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