Aqua Map Boating vs SAILORSIM
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
SAILORSIM
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Take the helm and sail or motor across the Mediterranean, from the Costa Dorada to the Balearic Islands. SailorSim is a sailing simulator with a 3D view and a nautical chart. Hoist the sails, trim to the wind, manoeuvre under engine inside the harbour and moor alongside the pontoon. Or set out on a long passage from Salou to Mallorca or from Palma to Menorca, with day, night and bad weather passing over the sea. THREE BOATS - Cruising sailboat, speedboat and jet ski, moored side by side in Salou harbour. Choose which one to take out. MISSIONS - Leaving harbour: tap the bollard to cast off and reach open water without touching anything. - Sailing: learn to beat, reach and run with a shifting wind. - Salou regatta: find the start line, win the position and round the marks before your rivals. - Speedboat and jet ski races: from Salou to the La Pineda breakwater through the gates, alone against the clock or against a rival. Set the sea state before the start and dodge the unexpected: pedal boats, anchored boats with divers down and sudden squalls. - Guided navigation: follow the route waypoint by waypoint. - Mooring: enter harbour and berth with precision. - Salou and its coves: explore Cap de Salou among beaches, cliffs, shallows and buoys. - Mahón harbour entrance: sail up one of the longest natural harbours in the Mediterranean to the pontoon. - Passages: Salou–Palma, Salou–Mahón and Palma–Mahón. THE SEA AND THE BOAT - Wind with changing direction and strength, apparent and true wind indicators. - Sea state: calm, smooth, slight, moderate or rough. Head-on you slam into the waves, beam-on a breaking sea can knock you down, and on the quarter the boat broaches. - Gusts and knockdowns: with too much sail the boat lies over. Ease the sheets to bring her up and reef in time. - Breaking waves, capsizes and dismasting: clear the rigging and watch the propeller. - Visible anchoring, with chain, trip line and swinging. - Fuel consumption: if you run dry, use the reserve can, carry on under sail or call for help. Refuel on arrival in port. - Buoyage: lateral marks, isolated danger marks, beach buoys and lighthouses with their night flashes. - Marine traffic: container ships, ferries, tankers, fishing boats, sailboats and other vessels. - Coast with relief and shallow waters: watch out for rocks and shoals, you can run aground. RADIO AND RESCUE - VHF radio with voice messages. PAN-PAN and MAYDAY calls. - S.O.S. button: send a MAYDAY, receive confirmation and wait for the rescue boat, which tows you to the nearest port so you can carry on sailing. CONTROLS - Wooden helm wheel, the same on every device. Optional tilt steering. - Optimised for the foldable iPhone. - 3D view with smooth zoom and free camera: tap a boat or object to centre on it and double-tap to return to yours. - Nautical chart with the mission route. - Heading pilot and route pilot: "Follow route" and "Back to route" if you have drifted off course. - Time acceleration up to ×8, and up to ×512 on the open sea during the Balearic passages. - i help button: explains every icon and control. - Change the wind and sea state whenever you like. - Restart the mission at any time. Save and resume passages. FOR IPAD AND IPHONE Interface adapted to each screen, with every control also on iPhone. Optimised for the foldable iPhone. Spanish and English, with language switching without restarting the game, and a full in-app manual. Free, no ads and no data collection. Map data based on OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL licence). SailorSim is a simulation game. It is not intended for real navigation and does not replace official nautical charts, on-board equipment or skipper training.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: SAILORSIM at none against Aqua Map Boating's 10. SAILORSIM also leads on update cadence (every 2 days vs weekly). Aqua Map Boating's advantage is chart position (#74 vs unranked) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). On price, ads 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 10 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per year. SAILORSIM asks for nothing beyond the download.
Aqua Map Boating ships an update weekly, SAILORSIM every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on November 5, 2026 and November 1, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Aqua Map Boating | SAILORSIM |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (14K ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 64.9% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 14K — better | — |
| Update frequency | Weekly | Every 2 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Best chart rank | #74 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 174 MB | 21 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | GEC s.r.l. | Pablo Kessler Saiz |
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
SAILORSIM
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Aqua Map Boating
- 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
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- 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
SAILORSIM
No in-app purchases









