Comparison

NavLink US vs Doyle Guides

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

Head to head
About

NavLink US

This marine navigation app transforms your Apple device into a full-featured chart plotter. It displays real-time GPS positions on NOAA charts, overlays AIS data, and allows for waypoint and route planning. Features include augmented reality views and weather buoy data.

Highlights
  • Real-time GPS plotting on NOAA charts
  • AIS overlay with compatible systems
  • Waypoint and route planning
  • Augmented reality HorizonView
  • Weather buoy data
  • A-B chart ruler
Features
Read full description

Marine Navigation App that turns your Apple Device in to a full function chart plotter. Features include: · Realtime GPS position plotted on Marine charts derived from NOAA data (Vector (ENC) & Raster (RNC)) · AIS overlay when connected to compatible wireless AIS system · Waypoints & routes with full route editing and planning function · Position, COG, SOG, VMG, bearing, distance & ETA displays · Configurable chart layers · HorizonView overlays navaid and targets onto iPad/Phone camera display · Automatic free chart updates included for 1 year · Weather buoy data · A-B chart ruler for quick & easy bearing and distance measurement · All NOAA US charts are included in the price · Optional in-app purchase of CA charts AIS Functionality When connected to an AIS system via a wireless NMEA link, NavLink will provide a real time overlay of AIS targets and CPA and TCPA alarms. Internet AIS requires Boat Beacon app HorizonView Overlay chart & AIS objects on the iPhone or iPad camera image to create an augmented HorizonView display, that makes Nav-Aid & vessel identification simple and reliable Plan & sail routes Instant route and waypoint creation by tapping on screen. Route reverse function and route overview with inter-leg bearing and distance. Share your routes via dropbox and email with other users NavLink Charting NavLink utilises the latest S57 based NOAA digital mapping & features automatic free updates for 1 year. With vector mapping, you can manage your layers of data to de-clutter the screen or maximise information. NavLink supports all key charting feature such as buoys, lights, bridges, depth contours, spot depths, depth contours, anchorage & military areas, weather buoys Interfacing NavLink is compatible with all Digital Yacht's wireless NMEA devices such as the iAIS, WLN10, WLN10HS, NavLink, iNavHub & PilotLink that stream wireless AIS data to your Apple device If you have a WiFi-only iPad you will need an external Bluetooth GPS receiver to enable navigation. 3rd Party units are available such as the Garmin Glo. Please note: Continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life Subscriptions Your purchase includes 12 months free updates to the included chart set. At the end of the 12 month period continued access to ongoing chart updates is available via an in-app purchase. Charts for other regions may also be added to your product via optional in-app purchase. Our in-app purchases are 1 year subscriptions, which automatically renew at the end of the subscription period unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. Payment will be charged to your iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase, and will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period. Pricing for our 1 year US Charts update subscription is $9.99. Subscriptions may be managed by the iTunes account holder and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to Account Settings after purchase. 
No cancellation of the current subscription is allowed during active subscription period. Privacy policy:- http://seanav.net/digitalyacht/privacy.php Terms and conditions:- http://seanav.net/dyiostsandcs.php Safety Notice NavLink & the charts are intended to be used as an aid to navigation. Only official government charts and notice to mariners contain all of the current information needed for safe navigation. This product's features cannot be relied on to be complete or accurate and may vary locally. It is the Captain's or Boat Owner's responsibility to use official government charts, notice to mariners, caution, sound judgement and proper navigational skill when operating their vessel and using this or any other Digital Yacht product. By purchasing this App, you are accepting the limitations of this app and the NOAA charts. Third Party Licenses and Notices NOTICE: US Marine Charts are derived from official NOAA Electronic Navigational Charts.

About

Doyle Guides

Access comprehensive sailing guides for the southern Caribbean, featuring nautical charts, regulations, services, and points of interest. The app offers an interactive map with user-generated comments and corrections, all free to use. In-app purchases provide access to detailed guide book content.

Highlights
  • Comprehensive sailing guides
  • Nautical charts and navigation
  • Interactive satellite map
  • 3000+ points of interest database
  • User comments and corrections
  • Island-specific content bundles
Features
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Doyle Guides produces the southern Caribbean's most comprehensive and up-to-date sailing guides, complete with nautical charts and navigational information, details on regulations, customs and immigration, general and technical yacht services, marinas, restaurants, provisioning, shore-based attractions, and more. The Doyle Guides mobile app allows users to search our comprehensive 3000+ point of interest database with results shown based on distance from the user and displayed on an interactive satellite map where users can leave public comments as well as suggest corrections and new points of interest, all free of charge. Subscriptions to guide book content is available on both long and short term basis, as well as bundled by island.

Screenshots

NavLink US4 screens
Doyle Guides4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Doyle Guides at Free against NavLink US's $30.99. Doyle Guides also leads on rating (4.3 vs 3.0) and update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 6 months). NavLink US's advantage is iOS requirement (11.0 vs 16.6). 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

Doyle Guides is free to download; NavLink US costs $30.99 up front. NavLink US sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per year and Doyle Guides sells 18 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Doyle Guides holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Doyle Guides has 50 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

NavLink US ships an update every 6 months, Doyle Guides every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 3, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
NavLink US versus Doyle Guides: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNavLink USDoyle Guides
Price$30.99Free — better
Rating3.0 (2 ratings)4.3 (50 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—60.0% of reviews
Number of ratings250 — better
Update frequencyEvery 6 monthsEvery 5 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS11.0 — better16.6
Further details — not scored
Size28 MB51 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDigitalYacht Ltd.Chris Doyle Publishing Limited

Customer experience

NavLink US

All ratings2 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

Doyle Guides

All ratings50 ratings
Positive80.0%
Neutral8.0%
Negative12.0%
Written reviews10 reviews
Positive60.0%
Neutral10.0%
Negative30.0%

In-app purchases

4 purchases

NavLink US

Subscriptions4
  • Weather charts$7.991 Year
  • UK Charts$16.991 Year
  • US Chart Updates$19.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Canadian Charts$29.991 Year
18 purchases

Doyle Guides

Subscriptions18
  • Trinidad & Tobago - 1 month3 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • Martinique Sailing Guide3 Days trial$19.991 Month
  • St. Lucia Sailing Guide3 Days trial$19.991 Month
Show 15 more
  • St. Vincent Sailing Guide3 Days trial$19.991 Month
  • Grenada Package - 1 month3 Days trial$19.991 Month
  • Trinidad Tobago Sailing Guide7 Days trial$19.991 Year
  • Martinique Sailing Guide7 Days trial$24.991 Year
  • St. Lucia Sailing Guide7 Days trial$24.991 Year
  • St. Vincent Sailing Guide7 Days trial$24.991 Year
  • Grenada Package - 12 months7 Days trial$24.991 Year
  • Southern Leeward Sailing Guide3 Days trial$24.991 Month
  • Northern Leeward Sailing Guide3 Days trial$24.991 Month
  • Windward Islands Guide3 Days trial$29.991 Month
  • BVI Cruising Guide3 Days trial$29.991 Year
  • Windward Islands Guide7 Days trial$39.991 Year
  • Virgin Islands Cruising Guide3 Days trial$39.991 Year
  • Leeward Islands Sailing Guide3 Days trial$39.991 Month
  • Leeward Islands Sailing Guide7 Days trial$59.991 Year

Questions

Is NavLink US free?
NavLink US costs $30.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is Doyle Guides free?
Doyle Guides is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, NavLink US or Doyle Guides?
Doyle Guides is rated higher. NavLink US averages 3.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while Doyle Guides averages 4.3 from 50 ratings.
Do NavLink US or Doyle Guides have ads?
Neither NavLink US nor Doyle Guides shows ads.
Which is updated more often, NavLink US or Doyle Guides?
NavLink US ships an update every 6 months, and Doyle Guides every 5 weeks. Most recently, NavLink US was updated on October 3, 2026 and Doyle Guides on October 14, 2026.

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