# SeaNav vs Helm Boating

The clearest difference is ads: SeaNav at none against Helm Boating's shown. SeaNav also leads on iOS requirement (16.0 vs 18.0). Helm Boating's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs monthly). On price, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. SeaNav sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per year and Helm Boating sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $19.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

SeaNav ships an update monthly, Helm Boating weekly. Both last shipped on November 1, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | SeaNav | Helm Boating |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.4 (251 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/seanav/id857841271/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **251** | — |
| Positive reviews | 54.7% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 158 MB | 72 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.0** | 18.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Pocket Mariner Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/719592131) | [LOOP MOBILE FZCO](https://appshunter.io/developer/1741140077) |

## What reviewers say

### SeaNav

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/seanav/id857841271)

This app provides high-resolution marine charts, route planning, and real-time navigation for boaters. It offers features like AIS ship tracking, tide and weather information, and offline chart access. Advanced capabilities include augmented reality views and autopilot integration.

**Highlights:** High-resolution marine charts, Autoroute planning, Real-time GPS navigation, AIS ship tracking, Tides and weather, Offline chart access, Augmented Reality View

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weather charts | $4.99 | per year |
| NOAA US Raster Charts | $9.99 | per year |
| US Charts | $9.99 | per month |
| Pro Features | $10.49 | per year |
| US Charts | $19.99 | per year |
| UK & IE Charts | $24.99 | per year |
| French Charts | $24.99 | per year |
| Canadian Charts | $26.99 | per year |
| Man Overboard & Anchor Watch | $4.99 | one-time |
| Pro Features | $14.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use and great price
- 👍 Much easier to use than competitors
- 👍 UKHO Charts at a reasonable price
- 👍 Intuitive interface, clear and uncluttered
- 👍 Supports NMEA data integration

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frozen/locked app
- 💰 Neil and dime for everything
- ❌ Not picking up vessels or ship traffic
- ❌ Charts not good, weather not working
- ❌ Difficult to download and update charts

**Reported bugs**

- Frozen/locked app
- Not picking up vessels or ship traffic
- App does not open
- Crashes after crashes
- Sailing mode crash

**Requested features**

- Can you see water depth on Apple Watch?
- Download all purchased charts button
- Update all purchased charts button
- Legend for symbols and colors
- Brief chart reading explainer


### Helm Boating

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/helm-boating-gps-chart-and-map/id6803616810)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium | $19.99 | per month |
| Premium | $99.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SeaNav free?

SeaNav is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Helm Boating free?

Helm Boating is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do SeaNav or Helm Boating have ads?

Helm Boating shows ads; SeaNav does not.

### Which is updated more often, SeaNav or Helm Boating?

SeaNav ships an update monthly, and Helm Boating weekly. Most recently, SeaNav was updated on November 1, 2026 and Helm Boating on November 1, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*