Comparison

Wärtsilä Pilot PRO vs Seapilot

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

Head to head
About

Wärtsilä Pilot PRO

This application provides advanced navigational tools for maritime professionals, including deep sea, channel, river, and harbor pilots. It supports various chart formats and integrates with GPS and AIS sensors for precise positioning and data logging.

Highlights
  • AIS Class A and NMEA sensor integration
  • TX-97, S-63, and S-57 chart support
  • Docking Mode and Conning Display
  • Fore & Aft Speed and COG vectors
  • Extended Data Logging and Playback
  • Route and Track creation/monitoring
  • AIS Target presentation and calculations
Features
Read full description

Wärtsilä Pilot PRO is the application intended for everyday needs of deep sea, channel, river and harbour pilots and other maritime professionals. The Pilot PRO operates on iPad utilizing the AIS Class A or 3rd party NMEA sensors via Wi-Fi, built-in or external Bluetooth GPS for backup positioning purposes. The application runs on Transas TX-97 vector chart format recognised worldwide as one of the most accurate and reliable sources of navigational information and also supports S-63 / S-57 ENC formats. • OS and HW requirements: - OS Apple iOS 10.3.x and higher - Recommended iPad devices: iPad mini 2 and higher, iPad Air 9,7" and higher, All iPad PRO models • Positioning systems, NMEA Heading and Rate-Of-Turn sensors: - iOS (iPad built-in GPS) - AIS Class A transponder - 3rd Party NMEA sensors over Wi-Fi • Pilot Specific Features: - Docking Mode - Conning Display - Fore & Aft Speed and Resulting COG vectors - Own Ship Predictor - Automatic Distance Lines for berthing and mooring - Fender Lines - Virtual Boarding - Extended Data Logging and Playback - AIS Target Meeting Points & Rendezvous Points (RDV) on a selected route - CPA-TCPA and BCR-BCT calculations - Secured AIS Data option, integration with the Wärtsilä Ship Traffic Control solutions - ROT beeper and Vessel Parking System audiovisual signals • Chart Data: - TX97 chart folios and monthly chart updates. Direct online installation of charts and updates from the server - S-63 AVCS and S-57 ENC Chart support • General Functionality: - Display of Charts, Routes, Track(s), Fender Lines and User Objects - North Up, COG Up, Head Up and Route Up chart orientations - Monitoring of navigational data: Position, HDG, ROT, Course (COG) and Speed (SOG) - Route creation by the graphic and tabular methods - Waypoint monitoring: Bearing to WP, Distance to WP, XTD, Time-To-Go and ETA - Schedule information: Time-To-Go and ETA to any selected waypoint ahead - AIS Target presentation on charts: Target contours, dimensions and information - Multi Units and Multi Language support - Alarm monitoring functionality - Route, Track, Fender Line and User Object: Export/Import via GPX, KML, KMZ and RTZ formats - Day and Night chart palettes • Extra Modules: - Advanced Data Module option: Weather Service, Tides and Tidal Currents, Internet AIS Service - E-Nav Module option: Secured AIS Feed from VTS, AIS Meteo Data, IHO S-124 NW areas support - Advanced NAV Module option: Echo-Sounder and Wind Sensor support for onboard connections Wärtsilä Pilot PRO app is only available through the App Store to the registered users. NOTE: Continued use of the GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease the battery life. Wärtsilä Pilot PRO app may use your location even when it isn’t open, which can decrease device battery life. Any questions? Feel free to contact us at pilotpro.support@wartsila.com Sincerely Yours, Pilot PRO team

About

Seapilot

Navigate like a professional with this marine navigation app. It offers vectorized chart data, AIS, and weather forecasts, bringing merchant shipping technology to your mobile device. Plan trips, track your vessel, and access advanced navigation tools.

Highlights
  • Vectorized S-57 chart data
  • Automatic Identification System (AIS)
  • Built-in weather forecasts
  • Positioning and background positioning via GPS
  • Man Overboard function
  • Premium features like Weather Routing
Features
Read full description

Professional marine navigation used to require an expensive GPS plotter. Now, same technology used in merchant shipping is available for the iPad and iPhone.  Seapilot lets you navigate like a pro with vectorized S-57 chart data from National Maritime Administrations. This is the first navigation app to feature Automatic Identification System (AIS) and built in weather forecasts, when within a mobile network. Charts and features available as In-App Purchase. Use it to navigate, to plan tomorrow’s boat trip or reminisce about yesterday’s. (PS. Even works in your sofa at home.) Seapilot features: • Free trial period of included functionallity • Professional navigation based on merchant shipping standards for ECDIS (Electronic Chart Display and Information System) • S-57 chart data (In-App Purchase) and AIS data from National Maritime Administrations  • Developed by True Heading, leaders in marine navigation and communication at sea, with cutting-edge AIS and VHF know-how Functions: Δ Positioning and background positioning via GPS  (Continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life) Δ Visualization of S-57 chart data from National Maritime Administrations  Δ Autonomous navigation - charts (In-App-purchase) downloaded to the device  Δ Option of tracking your own boat on the chart Δ Displays position, course and speed Δ Adjustable own speed and course vector  Δ Man Overboard function Δ Display settings for day, dawn/dusk and night Δ Past track Δ Plotting/marking objects Δ Electronic bearing and range marker from own vessel Δ True Motion and adjustable North Up / Head Up chart orientation Δ Chart object search Δ AIS target search Δ Setting of safety contour (2, 3, 6, 10 and 15 meters) Δ World chart for rough overview/orientation Δ Facebook integration; share position with friends or all users, list friends, show friends or all users on chart, post on was Premium: Δ Routes Δ Weather Routing Δ Weather Forecast, High quality 5-day Coastal Weather Forecasts. Δ AIS data from National Maritime Administrations via Internet (3G or WLAN)  Δ Course and speed vector for AIS targets Δ NMEA-0183 interface for connecting external GPS/AIS via WIFI Δ Import/Export to GPX-file == Auto-renewable subscriptions in Seapilot == • Seapilot Premium, Annual Subscription: $39.99 • Swedish Charts with automatic updates, Annual Subscription: $8.99 Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user’s Account Settings after purchase No cancellation of the current subscription is allowed during active subscription period Privacy Policy https://seapilot.com/privacy End User License Agreement https://seapilot.com/eula/ ==== Requirements: iOS 7.0 or later, iPad or iPhone with GPS. (External GPS unit can be used for other models.) Based on 140 years of experience, Seapilot has been developed by True Heading (www.trueheading.se/us) – experts at AIS, VHF, marine navigation and communication at sea.  • True Heading is a leader in AIS products with over 40 years of navigation experience. – An authority on professional navigation. Contact: Your input is essential in helping us further develop Seapilot. Feel free to contact us at info@seapilot.com. For the latest info, like Seapilot on www.facebook.com/seapilot.se

Screenshots

Seapilot2 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Wärtsilä Pilot PRO at 4.3 against Seapilot's 2.9. Wärtsilä Pilot PRO also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 18). Seapilot's advantage is ratings volume (15 vs 3) and device support (3 vs 1). On price, review sentiment, update cadence and ads 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

Both are free to download. Seapilot sells 18 in-app purchases, starting at $8.99 per year. Wärtsilä Pilot PRO asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Wärtsilä Pilot PRO holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 2.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Seapilot has 15 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 36% of Wärtsilä Pilot PRO's written reviews are positive against 38% of Seapilot's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Wärtsilä Pilot PRO ships an update every 2 months, Seapilot every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 11, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Wärtsilä Pilot PRO versus Seapilot: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterWärtsilä Pilot PROSeapilot
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (3 ratings) — better2.9 (15 ratings)
Positive reviews36.4% of reviews38.1% of reviews — better
Number of ratings315 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS15.89.3 — better
Further details — not scored
Size73 MB107 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperWartsila Voyage Sweden ABSeapilot

Customer experience

Wärtsilä Pilot PRO

All ratings3 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral33.3%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews11 reviews
Positive36.4%
Neutral18.2%
Negative45.5%

Seapilot

All ratings15 ratings
Positive46.7%
Neutral6.7%
Negative46.7%
Written reviews21 reviews
Positive38.1%
Neutral9.5%
Negative52.4%

In-app purchases

None

Wärtsilä Pilot PRO

No in-app purchases

18 purchases

Seapilot

Subscriptions14
  • Swedish charts with automatic updates$8.991 Year
  • East Canadian charts$14.491 Year
  • West Canadian$14.491 Year
Show 11 more
  • Spanish charts with automatic updates$17.491 Year
  • Finnish charts$19.491 Year
  • Dutch charts$19.491 Year
  • Irish charts$19.491 Year
  • British charts$19.491 Year
  • German charts$23.491 Year
  • Croatian charts with automatic updates$26.491 Year
  • Portuguese charts with automatic updates$26.491 Year
  • Greek charts with automatic updates$34.991 Year
  • Premium$39.991 Year
  • French charts$50.991 Year
One-time4
  • US EastFree
  • US WestFree
  • US-Great Lakes. One year subscription.$11.99
Show 1 more
  • US-West. One year subscription.$13.99

Questions

Is Wärtsilä Pilot PRO free?
Wärtsilä Pilot PRO is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Seapilot free?
Seapilot is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Wärtsilä Pilot PRO or Seapilot?
Wärtsilä Pilot PRO is rated higher. Wärtsilä Pilot PRO averages 4.3 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while Seapilot averages 2.9 from 15 ratings.
Do Wärtsilä Pilot PRO or Seapilot have ads?
Neither Wärtsilä Pilot PRO nor Seapilot shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Wärtsilä Pilot PRO or Seapilot?
Wärtsilä Pilot PRO ships an update every 2 months, and Seapilot every 3 months. Most recently, Wärtsilä Pilot PRO was updated on October 11, 2026 and Seapilot on October 15, 2026.

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