NMEAconnect vs AirmarCAST™
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
NMEAconnect
This utility app acts as a server or bridge for NMEA data, connecting to various sources like TCP/UDP, BLE, and GPS. It organizes data into modules and can forward messages to other devices, acting as a multiplexer or repeater.
- NMEA 0183, NMEA 2000, SignalK, MQTT support
- TCP/UDP, BLE, internal/external GPS, Logfile connection
- NMEA multiplexer, hub, and switch
- Server/repeater for NMEA messages
- Background updates and logging
- Message filtering and rules
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NMEAconnect can connect to almost any NMEA source using TCP/UDP, BLE, internal/external GPS, Simulation or Logfile and act as an NMEA server/bridge via TCP/UDP. With NMEAconnect you have: ∙ support of NMEA 0183, NMEA 2000, SignalK or MQTT data of almost any device ∙ a simple setup with preconfigured sources plus versatile configuration options ∙ all values ordered into clear 'Modules' ∙ a NMEA multiplexer, hub or switch ∙ a server/repeater to forward NMEA messages to other devices (most NMEA-WiFi gateways are accepting only one client) ∙ a server of the internal GPS Position as NMEA data to an external device ∙ a MQTT broker, client or gateway ∙ ‚unlimited‘ NMEA log (even when NMEAconnect is in background) ∙ nmeaconnect:// protocol to provide NMEA data e.g. to a Filemaker database ∙ background updates ∙ a visual indicator for NMEA activity ∙ Environments to handle different setups ∙ Message-Rules: Block, Gate Time and TalkerID for each NMEA sentence Supported & preconfigured Devices: For a complete list of supported devices please visit: www.zapfware.de/nmearemote/sources/ ∙ WiFi: Actisense W2K-1 AstraYacht B&G: Vulcan, Zeus comar (NMEA-2-WiFi & i300W/i320W) Digital Yacht (TCP, UDP & NavLink 2) GoFree™ (B&G) GMM (NMEA 0183 & N2k) iKommunicate nke NMEA WiFi Interface NMEA over IP (TCP, UDP) Open Skipper (N2k Datagram) Quark-elec PilotTech - AIS Pilot Plug WiFi PredictWind DataHub Sailor Hat WiFi Gateway SailTimer Air Link™ ShipModul: MiniPlex-2Wi, MiniPlex-3Wi(-N2K) SignalK Vesper: Cortex, XB 8000, Watch Mate Vision vYacht Yacht Devices YDWG-02 (N2k) Yakker ∙ Bluetooth: Calypso: ULTRASONIC, CUPS 4.0 & NMEA CONNECT 4.0 OpenWind RaceBox Skywatch BL 500/1000 ∙ Internal: Core Location (iOS GPS) iOS Barometer ∙ Misc: LogFile Simulation String NOT Supported Devices: ∙ Garmin GNT 10 & chartplotters ∙ Raymarine WiFi devices (these companies are not interested in collaborations and still keeping their systems secret - vendor lock)
AirmarCAST™
Configure and calibrate your boat's Bluetooth-enabled multisensors and modules directly from your mobile device. View real-time data on detailed gauges and perform advanced calibrations for speed, temperature, and attitude without extra hardware.
- Bluetooth sensor connection
- Real-time data display
- Intuitive navigation
- Speed, temperature, attitude calibration
- On-board GPS speed comparison
- Advanced speed calibration wizards
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Airmar® CAST™ connects to the Bluetooth®-enabled DST810, DX900+, WX300 multisensors and SmartBoat® modules on your boat, making sensor configuration and calibration easy with intuitive app navigation and real-time data from your multisensor. View data on detailed gauges and digital data screens, and perform speed, temperature, and attitude calibrations without the need for additional converters or cables. With CAST, you can configure your multisensor directly, regardless of the other displays and gauges on board. All data configurations and calibrations are stored in the multisensor and delivered on the NMEA2000® network. When used with DST810, you can calibrate basic or heel-compensated speed through water using your on-board GPS speed for comparison. Intuitive wizards guide you through multiple runs to correct for current. Or take it a step further to advanced speed calibration, with up to five heel angles and ten reference speeds. Until now, advanced speed calibration was only possible through expensive PC based software. With Airmar’s SmartBoat® modules, the CAST app delivers the fastest connection to the SmartView software for system configuration.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: NMEAconnect at 86% against AirmarCAST™'s 25%. NMEAconnect also leads on rating (4.7 vs 2.6) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 16). AirmarCAST™'s advantage is price (Free vs $3.99). On ratings volume, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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
AirmarCAST™ is free to download; NMEAconnect costs $3.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
NMEAconnect holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 2.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 5 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 86% of NMEAconnect's written reviews are positive against 25% of AirmarCAST™'s.
NMEAconnect ships an update every 5 months, AirmarCAST™ every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 4, 2026 and October 11, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | NMEAconnect | AirmarCAST™ |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.7 (3 ratings) — better | 2.6 (5 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 85.7% of reviews — better | 25.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 3 | 5 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | Every 3 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 16 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 3 MB | 112 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | zapfware | Airmar Technology Inc. |
Customer experience
NMEAconnect
AirmarCAST™
In-app purchases
NMEAconnect
No in-app purchases
AirmarCAST™
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is NMEAconnect free?
Is AirmarCAST™ free?
Which has better reviews, NMEAconnect or AirmarCAST™?
Do NMEAconnect or AirmarCAST™ have ads?
Which is updated more often, NMEAconnect or AirmarCAST™?
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