# Aqua Map Boating vs Sailmate

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Aqua Map Boating at 64% against Sailmate's 17%. Aqua Map Boating also leads on rating (4.7 vs 3.0) and update cadence (weekly vs every 6 weeks). Sailmate's advantage is iOS requirement (9.0 vs 15.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Aqua Map Boating sells 17 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per year and Sailmate sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Aqua Map Boating holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Aqua Map Boating has 14K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 64% of Aqua Map Boating's written reviews are positive against 17% of Sailmate's.

Aqua Map Boating ships an update weekly, Sailmate every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Aqua Map Boating | Sailmate |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (14K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aqua-map-boating/id919552329/reviews)** | [3.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sailmate/id1330421113/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **14K** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | **64.4% of reviews** | 16.7% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Every 6 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#96** | — |
| Size | 174 MB | 144 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **9.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [GEC s.r.l.](https://appshunter.io/developer/675562886) | [Myriel Aviation SA](https://appshunter.io/developer/998181101) |

## What reviewers say

### Aqua Map Boating

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aqua-map-boating/id919552329)

**Currently charting:** #96 Top Grossing · Navigation (US App Store)

This app provides official, weekly updated nautical charts for marine navigation. It allows for offline map downloads, GPS track recording, and integration with onboard instruments. Enhance your boating safety and experience with advanced features like weather forecasts and AIS collision detection.

**Highlights:** Official NOAA nautical charts, Offline map downloads, GPS track recording, Tides and currents predictions, Anchor Alarm, NMEA instrument connectivity, AIS with collision detection

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

**In-app purchases (17)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Florida - NOAA Nautical chart | $4.99 | per year |
| Alabama to Texas charts | $4.99 | per year |
| Cape Cod to Chesapeake Charts | $4.99 | per year |
| New England - Nautical charts | $4.99 | per year |
| Virginia to Georgia - Charts | $4.99 | per year |
| Midwest-Minnesota lake charts | $4.99 | per year |
| Michigan & Great Lakes chart | $4.99 | per year |
| US - Nautical & Lakes charts | $9.99 | per year |
| Canada - nautical charts | $9.99 | per year |
| US & Canada - nautical charts | $14.99 | per year |
| Caribbean South Nautical chart | $14.99 | per year |
| Bermuda - nautical charts | $14.99 | per year |
| Aqua Map Expert | $14.99 | per year |
| Aqua Map Master | $24.99 | per year |
| Bahamas - Explorer Charts | $49.99 | per year |
| US & Canada - Nautical chart | $49.99 | one-time |
| Bahamas - Explorer Chartbooks | $139.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Excellent navigation tool
- 👍 Easy to use and intuitive
- 🗺️ Detailed and accurate charts
- 💡 Helpful features like AIS, weather, and fuel prices
- 🤝 Responsive and helpful customer support

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional issues with map downloads and disappearing charts
- 🔍 Lack of intuitive route planning functionality
- 🔍 Slow map loading and tracking issues in certain areas
- 💰 Subscription model with additional costs for map downloads

**Reported bugs**

- Inconsistent GPS tracking and positioning
- Compatibility issues on older devices

**Requested features**

- Improved route planning and optimization
- Offline map caching and seamless downloads
- Tidal and wind data overlays
- Sync capabilities across devices


### Sailmate

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sailmate/id1330421113)

This app offers worldwide charts, weather forecasts, and route planning for sailors and boaters. Connect with a community to share locations, rate marinas, and view events. It also includes a signal code identifier and country flags.

**Highlights:** Worldwide nautical charts, Offline chart downloads, 5-day wind and weather predictions, Route planning and ETA, Trip recording and sharing, Community marina ratings and events, International signal code identifier

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| France SHOM chart subscription | $54.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Aqua Map Boating free?

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

### Is Sailmate free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Aqua Map Boating or Sailmate?

Aqua Map Boating is rated higher. Aqua Map Boating averages 4.7 out of 5 from 14K ratings, while Sailmate averages 3.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do Aqua Map Boating or Sailmate have ads?

Neither Aqua Map Boating nor Sailmate shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Aqua Map Boating or Sailmate?

Aqua Map Boating ships an update weekly, and Sailmate every 6 weeks. Most recently, Aqua Map Boating was updated on October 17, 2026 and Sailmate on October 7, 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.*