Aqua Map Boating vs Riptide GPS
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Aqua Map Boating
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.
- Official NOAA nautical charts
- Offline map downloads
- GPS track recording
- Tides and currents predictions
- Anchor Alarm
- NMEA instrument connectivity
- AIS with collision detection
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Free 14-day trial for all subscriptions Aqua Map offers weekly updated OFFICIAL NAUTICAL CHARTS (NOAA) for marine navigation. Purchase a chart subscription for the area of your interest, download the map areas for offline use, and connect your onboard instruments for a complete experience. ● BASIC FEATURES - Switch between manual and auto route planning modes - Record your GPS tracks - Store and share your navigation data (markers, routes, and recorded tracks) - Display tides and currents predictions and simulations - Increase your safety with Anchor Alarm - Enable Live Sharing to interact with the Aqua Map community - Display points of interest from the "ActiveCaptain" and "Waterway Guide" communities ● EXPERT SUBSCRIPTION Note: this subscription does not include charts; it must be paired with a chart subscription. - Marine forecasts (wind, waves, currents, gusts, salinity, sea surface temperature + weather information for any point on the map) - Overlay satellite images on the charts - Advanced AnchorLink with anchorage mirroring and email/telegram notifications for greater peace of mind while anchored, even if you are away from the boat - Connect your NMEA instruments via WiFi (autopilot, depth sounder, wind sensor, compass, GPS) and use their data on the app - AIS with automatic collision detection - Route Explorer for real-time information on all elements along your route ● MASTER SUBSCRIPTION FOR THE BEST NAVIGATION EXPERIENCE Note: this subscription does not include charts; it must be paired with a chart subscription. - All features of the EXPERT subscription are included in the MASTER subscription. + LOCAL DATA: > US: Army Corps of Engineers surveys for safe navigation in shallow waters > US: LNMs and "List of Lights" navaids from the Coast Guard. > Canada: NAVWARNs from the Coast Guard. > France: Warnings, Notices and Regulations from the PING > Denmark: Warnings and Notices from the DMA > Western Australia: temporary Notices from the Transport WA ● PURCHASE OPTIONS To access the charts, you need to purchase a chart subscription for the area of interest. Optionally, you can add the Expert subscription or the Master subscription to unlock extra navigation features and additional data. Subscription payments will be made through your account (Apple ID). The annual subscription will automatically renew unless canceled at least 24 hours before expiration. You can manage your subscription and disable automatic renewal in the account settings section after purchase. Terms of use: https://www.aquamap.app/terms-and-conditions Privacy policy: https://www.aquamap.app/privacy-policy
Riptide GPS
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RIPTIDE GPS is a boating navigation app built for coastal skippers, day sailors, and weekend adventurers. Core GPS safety tools are free — no trial tricks, no paywall on essentials. FREE — INCLUDED NOW • Live GPS navigation with speed, heading & distance • Return to Launch — find your way back to where you started • Trip tracking — record where you’ve been • Safety screen — quick access to key safety info at sea • Marine conditions — tides & weather when you need them • Voice guidance for Return to Launch • 1 boat profile, last 10 trips & 3 saved spots PREMIUM — MORE FOR SERIOUS DAYS AFLOAT • Coastal navigation & saved-spot routing • Anchor alarm — background alerts if you drift off the hook • Unlimited trips, saved spots & photos • Multiple boats & maintenance log • Offline maps & GPX export • Full voice guidance on all navigation BUILT FOR REAL BOATING • Dark, readable interface — easy to see on deck, day or night • Works offline for GPS, trips & safety when signal is patchy • Optional account to sync your data and manage your profile RIPTIDE GPS is designed as a practical companion on the water — not a replacement for official charts, qualified navigation, or good seamanship. Always follow local regulations and use your own judgement at sea. Premium subscriptions are managed on the RIPTIDE GPS website (riptide.lynaria.com). The iOS app does not process in-app purchases. Privacy: riptide.lynaria.com/#/privacy Support: riptide.lynaria.com/#/support Terms of Use (EULA): https://riptide.lynaria.com/#/terms Privacy Policy: https://riptide.lynaria.com/#/privacy
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is chart position: Aqua Map Boating at #86 against Riptide GPS's unranked. On price, 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
Both are free to download. Aqua Map Boating sells 17 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per year and Riptide GPS sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
| Parameter | Aqua Map Boating | Riptide GPS |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (14K ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 64.6% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 14K — better | — |
| Update frequency | Weekly | — |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Best chart rank | #86 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 173 MB | 24 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | GEC s.r.l. | MY WEBSITE BUILDER LTD |
Bugs and requests
Aqua Map Boating
Reported bugs
2 issues- Inconsistent GPS tracking and positioning
- Compatibility issues on older devices
Requested features
4 requests- Improved route planning and optimization
- Offline map caching and seamless downloads
- Tidal and wind data overlays
- Sync capabilities across devices
Riptide GPS
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Aqua Map Boating
- Florida - NOAA Nautical chart14 Days trial$4.991 Year
- Alabama to Texas charts14 Days trial$4.991 Year
- Cape Cod to Chesapeake Charts14 Days trial$4.991 Year
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- New England - Nautical charts14 Days trial$4.991 Year
- Virginia to Georgia - Charts14 Days trial$4.991 Year
- Midwest-Minnesota lake charts14 Days trial$4.991 Year
- Michigan & Great Lakes chart14 Days trial$4.991 Year
- US - Nautical & Lakes charts14 Days trial$9.991 Year
- Canada - nautical charts14 Days trial$9.991 Year
- US & Canada - nautical charts14 Days trial$14.991 Year
- Caribbean South Nautical chart14 Days trial$14.991 Year
- Bermuda - nautical charts14 Days trial$14.991 Year
- Aqua Map Expert14 Days trial$14.991 Year
- Aqua Map Master14 Days trial$24.991 Year
- Bahamas - Explorer Charts14 Days trial$49.991 Year
- US & Canada - Nautical chart$49.99
- Bahamas - Explorer Chartbooks$139.99
Riptide GPS
- Premium Monthly$2.991 Month
- Premium Yearly$24.991 Year









