NMEAconnect vs Meshtastic
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)
Meshtastic
This app enables off-grid, decentralized communication via a low-power mesh network. Send text messages in areas lacking cellular or WiFi service.
- Off-grid communication
- Decentralized mesh network
- Low-power LoRa radio support
- Text messaging
- No cellular/WiFi required
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Meshtastic® is an open source, off-grid, decentralized, mesh network built to run on low-power Lora radios letting you send text messages in areas without reliable cellular or WiFi service.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Meshtastic at Free against NMEAconnect's $3.99. Meshtastic also leads on update cadence (every 10 days vs every 5 months) and ratings volume (803 vs 3). NMEAconnect's advantage is review sentiment (86% vs 45%) and rating (4.7 vs 4.2). 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
Meshtastic 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 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Meshtastic has 803 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 86% of NMEAconnect's written reviews are positive against 45% of Meshtastic's.
NMEAconnect ships an update every 5 months, Meshtastic every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | NMEAconnect | Meshtastic |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.7 (3 ratings) — better | 4.2 (803 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 85.7% of reviews — better | 45.2% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 3 | 803 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | Every 10 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch — better |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 17.5 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 3 MB | 76 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | zapfware | Meshtastic LLC |
Customer experience
NMEAconnect
Meshtastic
Bugs and requests
NMEAconnect
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
Meshtastic
Reported bugs
4 issues- Canned messages configuration issues
- Location sharing and traceroute functions not working
- Settings screen bugs and crashes
- Inconsistent behavior when switching between devices
Requested features
5 requests- Offline maps support
- Ability to customize notifications
- More sorting and filtering options for nodes
- Apple Watch and Shortcuts integration
- Improved documentation and user guidance
In-app purchases
NMEAconnect
No in-app purchases
Meshtastic
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is NMEAconnect free?
Is Meshtastic free?
Which has better reviews, NMEAconnect or Meshtastic?
Do NMEAconnect or Meshtastic have ads?
Which is updated more often, NMEAconnect or Meshtastic?
Other comparisons
