Comparison

Sail Scan vs TackSense

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

Head to head
About

Sail Scan

This app uses your phone's camera to analyze sail shape by reading trim stripes. It provides detailed measurements like camber depth, draft position, and twist, helping sailors make real-time adjustments to improve speed and performance. Save your scans, build a library, and connect rig settings to your progress on the water.

Highlights
  • AI-powered sail shape analysis
  • Measures camber depth, draft position, and twist
  • Works on mainsails and jibs
  • Real-time adjustments
  • Save and build sail scan library
  • Compare scans and track settings
Features
Read full description

SailScan is currently in beta. SailScan turns your iPhone into a sail shape analyzer. SailScan's computer vision reads the trim stripes to measure what your eyes can't quantify. Measurements include: • CAMBER DEPTH — how much shape you're carrying, stripe by stripe • DRAFT POSITION — where the depth sits, front to back • TWIST — how the top opens relative to the boom SailScan works on mainsails and jibs, from small one-design boats to grand prix racers and superyachts. Make real-time adjustments, save your scans, build your library, and start connecting your rig settings to increase speed and progress on the water. WHY IT MATTERS Good trimmers develop an eye over decades. SailScan gives you the numbers behind that eye—so you can repeat fast settings, compare tack to tack, and debrief with data instead of memory. HOW IT WORKS 1. Photograph your sail (main or jib) from below 2. SailScan detects the stripes and calculates shape metrics 3. Review, adjust, and save your scans 4. Compare scans across the day—track every setting change BUILT BY SAILORS SailScan was built by people who race and trim for a living. Join us!

About

TackSense

Features
Read full description

TackSense is a simple sailing aid that helps you understand your point of sail from wind direction, boat heading, wind speed, and gusts. Enter the conditions, and TackSense shows a clear visual guide for the sailing angle, likely sail position, reefing considerations, and downwind caution zones. It is designed for quick use on deck when you want a fast sanity check without clutter, accounts, or unnecessary complexity. TackSense can help you identify whether you are close-hauled, reaching, running, near the no-go zone, or in a wing-on-wing zone. It also provides practical trim suggestions such as when sails should be trimmed in, eased out, or when a more conservative setup may be appropriate. Features * Point-of-sail calculation from wind direction and heading * Wind speed and gust input * Clear sail-position diagram * Main and headsail setup suggestions * Reefing considerations based on wind strength and gusts * Downwind caution notes, including wing-on-wing and gybe risk zones * Simple terminology for newer sailors * Works on-device * No account required TackSense is not a chartplotter, navigation system, weather service, or replacement for seamanship. It provides general sail-setup guidance based on the information you enter. Always consider local conditions, sea state, crew ability, vessel setup, and official weather information before sailing. Built for sailors who want a fast, visual answer to a basic but important question: What point of sail am I on, and how should the sails roughly be set?

Screenshots

Sail Scan4 screens
TackSense4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: Sail Scan at 15.1 against TackSense's 17.0. On price, ads, in-app purchases 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Scorecard1 real difference · 8 level
Sail Scan versus TackSense: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSail ScanTackSense
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequencyDaily—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.1 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size34 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSail Scan LLCMagnus Soderstrom

In-app purchases

None

Sail Scan

No in-app purchases

None

TackSense

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Sail Scan free?
Sail Scan is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is TackSense free?
TackSense is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Sail Scan or TackSense have ads?
Neither Sail Scan nor TackSense shows ads.

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