Comparison

Sail Scan vs Tidey

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

Tidey

Read full description

Tidey shows you what the tide is actually doing as arrows on the water from advanced predictions in seconds. Scrub forward and back through the tide and watch the streams turn layed over a race course. WHAT YOU GET FREE The free charts runs at reduced resolution and steps in two-hour intervals, and it works entirely offline. No account, no sign-up, no trial timer. WHAT A SUBSCRIPTION ADDS Full-resolution tidal streams with fifteen-minute time stepping. The course builder - drop marks, set the wind, and see the true wind angle on every leg with the tide underneath it. Once downloaded, the full chart is stored on your device and works offline. Dark chart that survives sunlight and doesn't wreck your night vision. Large touch targets that work in gloves and chop. No account, no tracking, no analytics — your location never leaves your device. IMPORTANT Tidey shows modelled predictions and is for guidance only. It is not a navigation instrument and must not be used as one. Always rely on official charts, local pilotage guidance and your own judgement on the water. SUBSCRIPTION Privacy policy: https://tidey-legal.pages.dev Terms of use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Sail Scan4 screens
Tidey4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Sail Scan at none against Tidey's 1. Sail Scan also leads on update cadence (daily vs every 2 weeks). On price, ads, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Tidey sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $24.99 per year. Sail Scan asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Sail Scan ships an update daily, Tidey every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and September 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 7 level
Sail Scan versus Tidey: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSail ScanTidey
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequencyDaily — betterEvery 2 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS15.115.1
Further details — not scored
Size34 MB31 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSail Scan LLCRobin Stein

In-app purchases

None

Sail Scan

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Tidey

Subscriptions1
  • Full Solent Access$24.991 Year

Questions

Is Sail Scan free?
Sail Scan is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Tidey free?
Tidey is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Sail Scan or Tidey have ads?
Neither Sail Scan nor Tidey shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Sail Scan or Tidey?
Sail Scan ships an update daily, and Tidey every 2 weeks. Most recently, Sail Scan was updated on October 15, 2026 and Tidey on September 28, 2026.

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