# Navionics® Boating vs Aqua Map Boating

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Aqua Map Boating at 65% against Navionics® Boating's 22%. Aqua Map Boating also leads on rating (4.7 vs 2.9) and update cadence (weekly vs every 6 weeks). Navionics® Boating's advantage is chart position (#5 vs #88). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Navionics® Boating sells 15 in-app purchases, starting at $49.99 per year and Aqua Map Boating sells 17 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Aqua Map Boating holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 2.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Aqua Map Boating has 14K ratings behind it against 2.4K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 22% of Navionics® Boating's written reviews are positive against 65% of Aqua Map Boating's.

Navionics® Boating ships an update every 6 weeks, Aqua Map Boating weekly. Both last shipped on November 1, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Navionics® Boating | Aqua Map Boating |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.9 (2.4K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/navionics-boating/id744920098/reviews) | **[4.7 (14K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aqua-map-boating/id919552329/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 2.4K | **14K** |
| Positive reviews | 22.3% of reviews | **64.9% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#5** | #88 |
| Size | 154 MB | 174 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Garmin](https://appshunter.io/developer/411046952) | [GEC s.r.l.](https://appshunter.io/developer/675562886) |

## What reviewers say

### Navionics® Boating

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/navionics-boating/id744920098)

**Currently charting:** #5 Top Grossing · Navigation, #150 Top Free · Navigation (US App Store)

Access detailed nautical charts and advanced boating features offline on your mobile device. Plan trips with dock-to-dock guidance, check weather and tides, and connect with a community of boaters. Ideal for cruising, fishing, sailing, and diving.

**Highlights:** Offline nautical charts, HD bathymetry maps, Dock-to-dock route planning, Weather and tide forecasts, Community edits and recommendations, Track recording and sharing

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (15)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Norway | $49.99 | per year |
| Baltic Sea | $49.99 | per year |
| Australia & New Zealand | $49.99 | per year |
| Africa & Middle East | $49.99 | per year |
| Mexico, Caribbean to Brazil | $49.99 | per year |
| Indian Ocean and South China | $49.99 | per year |
| Pacific Islands | $49.99 | per year |
| US & Canada | $49.99 | per year |
| UK, Ireland & Holland | $49.99 | per year |
| Chile, Argentina&Easter Island | $49.99 | per year |
| China Sea & Japan | $49.99 | per year |
| Central and West Europe | $59.99 | per year |
| Mediterranean & Black Sea | $59.99 | per year |
| Adriatic & Ionian Seas | $69.99 | per year |
| Scandinavia S. & Germany N. | $99.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Great navigation app
- 🗺️ Detailed charts and maps
- ⚓ Useful for boating and sailing
- 💰 Good value for money

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs
- 🔒 Login issues and unreliable offline access
- 💰 Expensive subscription model
- 🗺️ Inaccurate or outdated map data

**Reported bugs**

- GPS signal loss and position tracking issues
- Inability to download or access previously purchased maps
- Constant requirement to log in, even offline

**Requested features**

- Add anchor alarm feature
- Improve route planning and waypoint functionality
- Provide better support for multiple devices
- Enhance user interface and customization options


### Aqua Map Boating

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aqua-map-boating/id919552329)

**Currently charting:** #88 Top Grossing · Navigation (US App Store)

This app provides official, weekly updated nautical charts for marine navigation. It allows for offline map downloads, GPS track recording, and integration with onboard instruments. Enhance your boating safety and experience with advanced features like weather forecasts and AIS collision detection.

**Highlights:** Official NOAA nautical charts, Offline map downloads, GPS track recording, Tides and currents predictions, Anchor Alarm, NMEA instrument connectivity, AIS with collision detection

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

**In-app purchases (17)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Florida - NOAA Nautical chart | $4.99 | per year |
| Alabama to Texas charts | $4.99 | per year |
| Cape Cod to Chesapeake Charts | $4.99 | per year |
| New England - Nautical charts | $4.99 | per year |
| Virginia to Georgia - Charts | $4.99 | per year |
| Midwest-Minnesota lake charts | $4.99 | per year |
| Michigan & Great Lakes chart | $4.99 | per year |
| US - Nautical & Lakes charts | $9.99 | per year |
| Canada - nautical charts | $9.99 | per year |
| US & Canada - nautical charts | $14.99 | per year |
| Caribbean South Nautical chart | $14.99 | per year |
| Bermuda - nautical charts | $14.99 | per year |
| Aqua Map Expert | $14.99 | per year |
| Aqua Map Master | $24.99 | per year |
| Bahamas - Explorer Charts | $49.99 | per year |
| US & Canada - Nautical chart | $49.99 | one-time |
| Bahamas - Explorer Chartbooks | $139.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Excellent navigation tool
- 👍 Easy to use and intuitive
- 🗺️ Detailed and accurate charts
- 💡 Helpful features like AIS, weather, and fuel prices
- 🤝 Responsive and helpful customer support

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional issues with map downloads and disappearing charts
- 🔍 Lack of intuitive route planning functionality
- 🔍 Slow map loading and tracking issues in certain areas
- 💰 Subscription model with additional costs for map downloads

**Reported bugs**

- Inconsistent GPS tracking and positioning
- Compatibility issues on older devices

**Requested features**

- Improved route planning and optimization
- Offline map caching and seamless downloads
- Tidal and wind data overlays
- Sync capabilities across devices


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Navionics® Boating free?

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

### Is Aqua Map Boating free?

Aqua Map Boating is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Navionics® Boating or Aqua Map Boating?

Aqua Map Boating is rated higher. Navionics® Boating averages 2.9 out of 5 from 2.4K ratings, while Aqua Map Boating averages 4.7 from 14K ratings.

### Do Navionics® Boating or Aqua Map Boating have ads?

Neither Navionics® Boating nor Aqua Map Boating shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Navionics® Boating or Aqua Map Boating?

Navionics® Boating ships an update every 6 weeks, and Aqua Map Boating weekly. Most recently, Navionics® Boating was updated on November 1, 2026 and Aqua Map Boating on November 1, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Navionics® Boating or Aqua Map Boating?

Navionics® Boating currently peaks at #5 in the App Store charts, and Aqua Map Boating at #88. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

---

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