# Maptech iPlot vs Coastal Explorer

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Maptech iPlot at 58% against Coastal Explorer's 11%. Maptech iPlot also leads on iOS requirement (12.0 vs 14.0). Coastal Explorer's advantage is price (Free vs $39.99) and rating (2.8 vs 2.1). On ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Coastal Explorer is free to download; Maptech iPlot costs $39.99 up front. Maptech iPlot sells 10 one-off in-app purchases and Coastal Explorer sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $19.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Coastal Explorer holds the better App Store score, 2.8 against 2.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 7 and 16 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 58% of Maptech iPlot's written reviews are positive against 11% of Coastal Explorer's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Maptech iPlot ships an update every 5 months, Coastal Explorer every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 2, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Maptech iPlot | Coastal Explorer |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $39.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [2.1 (7 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/maptech-iplot/id675930894/reviews) | **[2.8 (16 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/coastal-explorer/id1452017231/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 7 | **16** |
| Positive reviews | **58.3% of reviews** | 11.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 353 MB | 54 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 14.0 |
| Devices | iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Nautical Solutions Internation](https://appshunter.io/developer/675930897) | [Rose Point Navigation Systems, Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/1078421951) |

## What reviewers say

### Maptech iPlot

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/maptech-iplot/id675930894)

This app provides real-time nautical chart plotting with NOAA charts, allowing users to plan routes, set marks, and navigate seamlessly. It offers offline functionality after initial chart downloads and includes features for vessel location and route steering.

**Highlights:** Real-time NOAA nautical chart plotting, Offline chart operation, Route planning and mark creation, Fast chart quilting engine, Vessel location and anchor alarm, Route steering display

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Region 99 2015 | Free | one-time |
| Region 99 2017 | Free | one-time |
| Region 99 2018, Size: 292MBs | Free | one-time |
| Region 99 2019, Size: 292MBs | Free | one-time |
| Region 8 2014, Size: 195MBs | $9.99 | one-time |
| Region 2 2015 | $9.99 | one-time |
| Region 4 2015 | $9.99 | one-time |
| Region 7 2015 | $9.99 | one-time |
| Region 8 2015 | $9.99 | one-time |
| Region 3 2015 | $9.99 | one-time |


### Coastal Explorer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/coastal-explorer/id1452017231)

Plan and log your cruises with detailed nautical charts and weather forecasts. Enhance your experience with a subscription for offline access, real-time navigation, and integration with marine electronics.

**Highlights:** View NOAA and USACE nautical charts, Create routes and waypoints, Cloud synchronization, ActiveCaptain points of interest, US Coast Pilot information, Marine weather forecasts, Tide and current predictions

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Subscription | $19.99 | per month |
| Yearly Subscription | $49.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Maptech iPlot free?

Maptech iPlot costs $39.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Is Coastal Explorer free?

Coastal Explorer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Maptech iPlot or Coastal Explorer?

Coastal Explorer is rated higher. Maptech iPlot averages 2.1 out of 5 from 7 ratings, while Coastal Explorer averages 2.8 from 16 ratings.

### Do Maptech iPlot or Coastal Explorer have ads?

Neither Maptech iPlot nor Coastal Explorer shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Maptech iPlot or Coastal Explorer?

Maptech iPlot ships an update every 5 months, and Coastal Explorer every 2 weeks. Most recently, Maptech iPlot was updated on November 1, 2026 and Coastal Explorer on November 2, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*