RaftUp! vs HelmKeeper
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
RaftUp!
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Welcome to RaftUp! — the new social and navigation companion for sailors and cruisers. RaftUp! helps you stay connected with your friends and fellow boaters on the water. Be notified when your friends are nearby, when they start moving or when you approach a boat with similar interests! KEY FEATURES No Setup: Follow any AIS equipped vessel - no need for your friends to be app users or have any account in RaftUp! Live Fleet Tracking: View your friends and fleet members on an interactive map in real-time. Instantly see the distance in nautical miles between your vessel and others. Social Boating: Create a profile for your boat (including make, model, and year), set your visibility to Public or Private, and connect with other sailors using custom marine interest tags and messaging. Fleet Management: Easily search for and add boats to your personal fleet network. Know exactly who is currently out on the water and where they are anchored. Notifications: Receive instant alerts when your fleet members are close by, started moving or another member with similar interests is nearby. RAFTUP! Premium - Upgrade to RaftUp! Premium to unlock the full experience: • Expand your fleet limit to track up to 50 boats • View the historical tracking positions of your fleet • Enjoy a 100% ad-free interface • Get exclusive early access to upcoming features like marine routing Drop your anchor and join the community. Download RaftUp! today and never miss an opportunity to raft up with fellow sailors! Subscription Details: Payment for RaftUp! Premium will be charged to your Apple ID account at the confirmation of purchase. The subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current billing period. Your account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. You can manage your subscriptions and turn off auto-renewal by going to your App Store Account Settings after purchase. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy policy: https://raftup-t-and-c.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/Privacy+Policy+for+RaftUp-1.0.0.pdf
HelmKeeper
This app helps boaters manage pre-departure checks, file float plans, and access critical safety information offline. It provides accurate weather data and emergency procedures, ensuring peace of mind on the water.
- Pre-departure checklists
- One-tap float plans
- Offline emergency procedures
- Capability-aware conditions
- Vessel management
- Quick-reference articles
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Leave the dock with a clear head. If you've ever driven home wondering whether you left a hatch open or a battery switch on, HelmKeeper is for you. It's the clean, premium app that handles the hundred little things every boater juggles — so the only thing on your mind is the water ahead. DISTRACTION-FREE & AD-FREE When you are at the helm, you need critical tools—not intrusive pop-ups or clunky banner ads. HelmKeeper delivers a 100% premium, distraction-free experience designed with strict battery and data discipline. We use one-shot locations and smart caching so your phone still has charge left at the end of a long day out. PRE-DEPARTURE & CLOSE-UP CHECKLISTS Build a checklist for each of your boats and tap through it every time. Switches off, hatches shut, seacocks closed. You can even select checklist items and text a "what to bring" list directly to your crew so they arrive at the dock prepared. ONE-TAP FLOAT PLANS Filing a float plan is a vital safety practice that is often skipped because it is too tedious. HelmKeeper makes it instant. Select your trip, pick an emergency contact straight from your phone, and text your intentions in a couple of taps. Simple to send, reassuring to have. HONEST, CAPABILITY-AWARE CONDITIONS Stop guessing where your data comes from. HelmKeeper maps over 4,000 NOAA stations and shows you exactly what each one offers: - Clear Badges: See exactly what each station tracks - tide, current, buoy (wind & waves), or weather. - Honest distance labels: when the nearest data is farther off (e.g., "Nearest wave data: 3.2 miles away"). - Pinpoint Weather: NWS watches, warnings, and forecasts pulled precisely for your GPS location. EMERGENCY PROCEDURES, READ BEFORE YOU NEED THEM (WORKS OFFLINE) Step-by-step write-ups worth going through at the dock, and still there when you have no cell signal. Includes real-world scenarios missing from standard apps: - Prop Strikes & Prop Entanglement - Running Aground & Capsizing - Man Overboard (MOB) - Fire Aboard & Taking on Water - Engine or Steering Failure - Medical Emergencies EVERYTHING IN ONE PLACE - Manage Vessels: Track multiple boats—whether you are managing a 27-foot classic cruiser or stepping up to an offshore dual console—and securely store your insurance policy info. - Quick-Reference Articles: Access essential guidance covering engine maintenance, navigation, anchoring, and docking. - Saved Locations: Keep your favorite spots and ramps handy. PRIVATE & SECURE Sign in with Apple. Your data is yours. We do not monetize your location or tracking history, and you can permanently delete your account and all its data anytime. Zero ads, ever. IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTE HelmKeeper is an informational and organizational tool — not a substitute for proper seamanship, official charts, official forecasts, or emergency services. In an emergency on the water, contact the U.S. Coast Guard on VHF Channel 16 or call 911. Built by an everyday boater, for everyday boaters. Welcome aboard. — HelmKeeper offers auto-renewable monthly and annual subscriptions, each starting with a free first month, plus an optional one-time Lifetime purchase. Current prices are shown in the app before you buy. Payment is charged to your Apple ID at confirmation of purchase. Subscriptions auto-renew unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period; your account is charged within 24 hours prior to renewal. Manage or cancel anytime in your App Store account settings. Privacy Policy: https://www.helmkeeper.com/privacy/#privacy Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.helmkeeper.com/privacy/#termsofservice
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ads: HelmKeeper at none against RaftUp!'s shown. HelmKeeper also leads on update cadence (every 8 days vs every 5 weeks). On price, in-app purchases, 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
Both are free to download. RaftUp! sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and HelmKeeper sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
RaftUp! ships an update every 5 weeks, HelmKeeper every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on November 5, 2026 and November 10, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | RaftUp! | HelmKeeper |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | 5.0 (2 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | — | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | — | 2 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks | Every 8 days — better |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | — | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 86 MB | 30 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Code Horizon AB | Doublecheck Advertising LLC |
In-app purchases
RaftUp!
- Premium$2.991 Month
- Premium$24.991 Year
HelmKeeper
- HelmKeeper Monthly1 Month trial$1.991 Month
- HelmKeeper Yearly1 Month trial$9.991 Year
- Lifetime Access$39.99









