Comparison

NMEAconnect vs Plan M8

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Read full description

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)

About

Plan M8

Features
Read full description

Yacht Maintenance Made Easy - Designed for marine engineers, captains and owner or operators. Improves reliability, saves time, and creates transparency. Implementing a structured planned maintenance schedule such as Plan M8 not only ensures your equipment and machinery on board is maintained through continuous monitoring at all times, It assures all your yacht maintenance is planned. Plan M8 provides a comprehensive and structured task-based scheduling of all required, recommended and manufacturer specific planned maintenance tasks of a vessel's components. Plan your maintenance ahead of time, pre-order spares and never miss a component with our pre-generated templates for your vessel. You will see a reduction in downtime and the need for emergency repairs as equipment is maintained before it fails. Operating costs are reduced as optimum service life is given to components. As you continue to use Plan M8, a detailed maintenance log of your vessel is being build. Proper records will be kept that can be easily passed onto new crew, contractors, surveyors, and prospective buyers. Get more transparency about your yacht maintenance status with all involved through our easy-to-use application; your "Plan Mate".

Screenshots

NMEAconnect4 screens
Plan M84 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Plan M8 at Free against NMEAconnect's $3.99. Plan M8 also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 5 months). NMEAconnect's advantage is iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). On 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

Plan M8 is free to download; NMEAconnect costs $3.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

NMEAconnect ships an update every 5 months, Plan M8 fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 4, 2026 and September 27, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
NMEAconnect versus Plan M8: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNMEAconnectPlan M8
Price$3.99Free — better
Rating4.7 (3 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews85.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings3 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaid—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size3 MB51 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developerzapfwarecoara OU

In-app purchases

None

NMEAconnect

No in-app purchases

None

Plan M8

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is NMEAconnect free?
NMEAconnect costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Plan M8 free?
Plan M8 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do NMEAconnect or Plan M8 have ads?
Neither NMEAconnect nor Plan M8 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, NMEAconnect or Plan M8?
NMEAconnect ships an update every 5 months, and Plan M8 fortnightly. Most recently, NMEAconnect was updated on October 4, 2026 and Plan M8 on September 27, 2026.

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