# NAUTICAL CHART SYMBOLS GUIDE vs ActiveCaptain®

The clearest difference is price: ActiveCaptain® at Free against NAUTICAL CHART SYMBOLS GUIDE's $1.99. ActiveCaptain® also leads on rating (4.0 vs 3.5) and update cadence (every 3 months vs every 80 months). NAUTICAL CHART SYMBOLS GUIDE's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 18) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.5). On ads and device support there is nothing between them.

ActiveCaptain® is free to download; NAUTICAL CHART SYMBOLS GUIDE costs $1.99 up front. ActiveCaptain® sells 18 in-app purchases, starting at $74.99 per year. NAUTICAL CHART SYMBOLS GUIDE asks for nothing beyond the download.

ActiveCaptain® holds the better App Store score, 4.0 against 3.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ActiveCaptain® has 5.2K ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 50% of NAUTICAL CHART SYMBOLS GUIDE's written reviews are positive against 59% of ActiveCaptain®'s.

NAUTICAL CHART SYMBOLS GUIDE ships an update every 80 months, ActiveCaptain® every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | NAUTICAL CHART SYMBOLS GUIDE | ActiveCaptain® |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $1.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [3.5 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nautical-chart-symbols-guide/id687296241/reviews) | **[4.0 (5.2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/activecaptain/id1116089313/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 2 | **5.2K** |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews | **59.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 80 months | **Every 3 months** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Best chart rank | #164 | **#42** |
| Size | 41 MB | 197 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 18.5 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [The Other Hat](https://appshunter.io/developer/573973071) | [Garmin](https://appshunter.io/developer/411046952) |

## What reviewers say

### NAUTICAL CHART SYMBOLS GUIDE

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nautical-chart-symbols-guide/id687296241)

**Currently charting:** #164 Top Paid · Navigation (US App Store)

This app provides a comprehensive reference for nautical chart symbols and abbreviations, including international standards and supplementary national symbols. It's designed for learning, revision, and quick lookups with a searchable index and offline access.

**Highlights:** International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) symbols, Supplementary US and UK national symbols, Fully searchable index, Tap & Enlarge feature, Offline access, Bonus emergency tips

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### ActiveCaptain®

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/activecaptain/id1116089313)

**Currently charting:** #42 Top Grossing · Navigation, #179 Top Free · Navigation (US App Store)

This app connects your mobile device to compatible Garmin chartplotters, enabling wireless chart and map transfers, software updates, and route planning. It also provides access to a community of boaters for reviews and information on marinas and points of interest.

**Highlights:** Wireless chart and map transfer, Route and waypoint planning, ActiveCaptain Community for POI reviews, Chartplotter control via Helm feature, Easy software updates, OnDeck system monitoring, Garmin Quickdraw Community map sharing

**In-app purchases (18)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| NSUS007R-U.S. East | $74.99 | per year |
| NSUS006R-U.S. South | $74.99 | per year |
| g4 U.S. Lakes & Rivers Built-i | $99.99 | per year |
| NSUS001L-U.S. & Canada | $99.99 | per year |
| g4 Vision U.S. South | $129.99 | per year |
| g4 Vision U.S. East | $129.99 | per year |
| GN+ US & Coast Canada Built-In | $149.99 | per year |
| U.S. LakeVü Detail Map | $59.99 | one-time |
| US+Great Lakes Detail Map | $99.99 | one-time |
| BlueChart g3+LakeVu g3 Built-I | $99.99 | one-time |
| LUS100F - Download | $149.99 | one-time |
| GN+ U.S. South | $149.99 | one-time |
| GN+ U.S. East | $149.99 | one-time |
| VUS010R - Download | $174.99 | one-time |
| GN+ U.S. & Canada | $199.99 | one-time |
| HXUS604X - Download | $219.99 | one-time |
| GNV+ U.S. East | $249.99 | one-time |
| GNV+ U.S. South | $249.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 🚀 Seamless integration with Garmin devices
- 💡 Useful for planning trips and managing waypoints
- 🚀 Convenient for updating software and charts
- 👍 Great app for Garmin users

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and connection issues
- 🔍 Limited chart and mapping functionality compared to competitors
- 🤔 Difficult to transfer data between devices
- 🤔 Confusing and not very intuitive user interface
- 💰 Expensive for the features provided

**Reported bugs**

- Charts and maps not loading properly
- Waypoints and routes not syncing correctly
- Constant prompts to purchase additional charts
- Compatibility issues with older Garmin devices

**Requested features**

- Ability to duplicate and edit existing routes
- Sync user data across multiple devices
- Improved chart detail and coverage
- Animated tides and currents
- Better integration with other navigation apps


## Frequently asked questions

### Is NAUTICAL CHART SYMBOLS GUIDE free?

NAUTICAL CHART SYMBOLS GUIDE costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is ActiveCaptain® free?

ActiveCaptain® is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, NAUTICAL CHART SYMBOLS GUIDE or ActiveCaptain®?

ActiveCaptain® is rated higher. NAUTICAL CHART SYMBOLS GUIDE averages 3.5 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while ActiveCaptain® averages 4.0 from 5.2K ratings.

### Do NAUTICAL CHART SYMBOLS GUIDE or ActiveCaptain® have ads?

Neither NAUTICAL CHART SYMBOLS GUIDE nor ActiveCaptain® shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, NAUTICAL CHART SYMBOLS GUIDE or ActiveCaptain®?

NAUTICAL CHART SYMBOLS GUIDE ships an update every 80 months, and ActiveCaptain® every 3 months. Most recently, NAUTICAL CHART SYMBOLS GUIDE was updated on October 26, 2026 and ActiveCaptain® on October 29, 2026.

### Which is more popular, NAUTICAL CHART SYMBOLS GUIDE or ActiveCaptain®?

NAUTICAL CHART SYMBOLS GUIDE currently peaks at #164 in the App Store charts, and ActiveCaptain® at #42. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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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.*