Comparison

Mirror Control vs ActiveCaptain®

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

Head to head
About

Mirror Control

Remotely view and control compatible marine and farm navigation displays from your iOS device. Access charts, radar, fish finder, and autopilot functions, or manage field maps and section control. Offers full-featured touch synchronization for seamless operation.

Highlights
  • Mirror MFD display on iOS device
  • Full remote touch control
  • View charts, radar, fish finder
  • Manage autopilot and navigation
  • Monitor alarms and safety data
  • Capture MFD screenshots
  • Control farm section control
Features
Read full description

Get away from the navigation screen and move around… But stay in control! Mirror and Control your compatible* Multi-Function Display (MFD) from your iOS device: * Connect to your MFD with Mirror Control via WiFi; * View your MFD screen from anywhere onboard; * User your device as a full-featured remote control of your MFD. Mirror Control connects to compatible* MFDs and streams the display directly to your tablet or smartphone. A second display… at NO COST! Use the fully integrated touch synchronization for remote control of your MFD from the screen of your device. No reduced functions or limited menus… 100% CONTROL! MARINE MFDs: - View and Manage all your MFD pages from Mirror Control: * Charts; * Radar; * Fish Finder; * Engines; * Instruments. - Supervise route navigation with autopilot and make adjustments or change destination on the fly. - Receive alarms and monitor status for AIS, DSC, anti-grounding and other safety/navigation data. - Quickly activate Man-OverBoard functionality and monitor status even without being in front of your MFD. - Quickly capture MFD screenshots using your iOS device commands and save them to your photo library. FARM MFD: - User Mirror Control to view and manage Field Maps, the Jobs Database and implement profiles for Section Control. - Monitor operations in real-time from field-side. - Oversee Auto-Steering for automated Section Control. Simply enable WiFi connectivity on your MFD and pair it to your iOS device with a simple PIN confirmation. Synchronization is fully automatic, with immediate access and control of all menus and settings. Mirror Control app is Compatible with the following navigation systems: * Alphatron (FF-901) * AvMap (G7 Farmnavigator) * Furuno (GP1871F GP1971F) * JMC (NP-90MAX, NP-120MAX, V-90PMAX, V-120PMAX, SPMAXIIIWiFi) * Lorenz (Atom9/Plus, Atom12/Plus, MagProHDWiFi) * Navstation (N9/Fish, N12/Fish, ControllerC1) * Polar (PPC-202WiFi) * Radio Ocean (7T) * Seiwa (SWX900W/CW, SWX1200W/CW, EXP23WiFi, FT70) * Si-Tex (NavPro900C/F, NavPro1200C/F, EXPNavProWiFi) * Suzuki (SMD7, SMD9)

About

ActiveCaptain®

This app connects your mobile device to compatible Garmin chartplotters, enabling wireless chart and map transfers, software updates, and route planning. It also provides access to a community of boaters for reviews and information on marinas and points of interest.

Highlights
  • Wireless chart and map transfer
  • Route and waypoint planning
  • ActiveCaptain Community for POI reviews
  • Chartplotter control via Helm feature
  • Easy software updates
  • OnDeck system monitoring
  • Garmin Quickdraw Community map sharing
Read full description

The free ActiveCaptain app creates a powerful connection between your compatible mobile device and Garmin chartplotter, charts, maps and the boating community. Whether you use your Garmin products for cruising, fishing, sailing or diving, this all-in-one app will help you enjoy your time on the water. Just pair the app with your compatible chartplotter to wirelessly transfer and access charts and maps, software updates, routes, waypoints and helpful feedback from the ActiveCaptain Community. And, with the purchase of the OnDeck™ hub(1), you can track and monitor your boat from virtually anywhere. Please note that this app is intended for Garmin chartplotter owners and is not recommended for use as a stand-alone navigational app. FEATURES AVAILABLE: - ONECHART™: > New Garmin Navionics+™ and premium Garmin Navionics Vision+™ cartography, featuring a Navionics® style appearance, advanced Auto Guidance+™ technology(2) and a one-year subscription to daily updates, is available now for North America and Europe, and coming soon to the rest of the world. Purchase our newest-generation charts or legacy BlueChart® g3 charts from your mobile device, and upload them to registered Garmin chartplotters on your vessel. You will get exceptional coverage, clarity and detail with charts that feature integrated Garmin and Navionics data and much more. Plus, the NOAA raster cartography(3) and premium features can be downloaded for free through the ActiveCaptain app. Visit Garmin.com/marinemaps. - PLAN A TRIP: Plan your trip, or e-scout a new fishing spot before you’re on the water. Then, transfer your data to your chartplotter where you can view your routes and waypoints. - USER DATA SYNC: Automatically back up and sync your data between your chartplotter and the ActiveCaptain app. - ACTIVECAPTAIN COMMUNITY: Join a community of boaters to get up-to-date feedback on marinas, boat ramps and other points of interest (POI). Check ratings, read reviews, and view pictures of POIs to make informed decisions on the water. Contribute your own POI, reviews and pictures from your compatible mobile device. - CONTROL YOUR CHARTPLOTTER: Using the built-in Helm™ feature, the ActiveCaptain app lets you view and control your compatible(4) chartplotter from your smartphone or tablet, even when someone else is at the helm(5). - EASY SOFTWARE UPDATES: Receive notifications about software updates from the app, and update your chartplotter wirelessly. - ONDECK HUB: Use the ActiveCaptain app to track, monitor and control any number of switches with the OnDeck system(1) from nearly anywhere. Door open? Bilge running? Peace of mind comes in the form of text alerts and updates. - GARMIN QUICKDRAWTM COMMUNITY: Download the latest 1’ HD contour maps shared by your fellow boaters, and sync with your chartplotter. You can also upload your own Quickdraw Contours map data. - SMART NOTIFICATIONS: Connect the app to your chartplotter, and turn on smart notifications(4) to see calls, text messages and more on the chartplotter display while your phone is somewhere safe and dry. FOOTNOTES 1)OnDeck hub sold separately and requires an active subscription plan 2)Auto Guidance+ is for planning purposes only and does not replace safe navigation operations 3)NOAA raster cartography cannot be viewed on echoMAP™ CHIRP and ECHOMAP™ Plus combos but can be viewed on mobile devices via the ActiveCaptain mobile app 4)Helm feature is not compatible with ECHOMAP series chartplotters 5)Check device compatibility on the ActiveCaptain app web page; visit https://www.garmin.com/c/marine/marine-apps/ End User License Agreement: https://www.garmin.com/en-US/legal/marine-mobile-eula/

Screenshots

Mirror Control4 screens
ActiveCaptain®4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: ActiveCaptain® at 4.0 against Mirror Control's 1.3. ActiveCaptain® also leads on review sentiment (56% vs 29%) and update cadence (every 3 months vs every 16 months). Mirror Control's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 18) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 18.5). 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. ActiveCaptain® sells 18 in-app purchases, starting at $74.99 per year. Mirror Control asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

ActiveCaptain® holds the better App Store score, 4.0 against 1.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ActiveCaptain® has 5.2K ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 29% of Mirror Control's written reviews are positive against 56% of ActiveCaptain®'s.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Mirror Control ships an update every 16 months, ActiveCaptain® every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 2, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
Mirror Control versus ActiveCaptain®: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMirror ControlActiveCaptain®
PriceFreeFree
Rating1.3 (3 ratings)4.0 (5.2K ratings) — better
Positive reviews28.6% of reviews56.2% of reviews — better
Number of ratings35.2K — better
Update frequencyEvery 16 monthsEvery 3 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank—#26 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS11.0 — better18.5
Further details — not scored
Size11 MB196 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAvMapGarmin

Customer experience

Mirror Control

All ratings3 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive28.6%
Neutral0.0%
Negative71.4%

ActiveCaptain®

All ratings5,159 ratings
Positive72.9%
Neutral3.7%
Negative23.4%
Written reviews909 reviews
Positive56.2%
Neutral4.7%
Negative39.1%

Bugs and requests

Mirror Control

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

ActiveCaptain®

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Charts and maps not loading properly
  • Waypoints and routes not syncing correctly
  • Constant prompts to purchase additional charts
  • Compatibility issues with older Garmin devices

Requested features

5 requests
  • Ability to duplicate and edit existing routes
  • Sync user data across multiple devices
  • Improved chart detail and coverage
  • Animated tides and currents
  • Better integration with other navigation apps

In-app purchases

None

Mirror Control

No in-app purchases

18 purchases

ActiveCaptain®

Subscriptions7
  • NSUS007R-U.S. East$74.991 Year
  • NSUS006R-U.S. South$74.991 Year
  • g4 U.S. Lakes & Rivers Built-i$99.991 Year
Show 4 more
  • NSUS001L-U.S. & Canada$99.991 Year
  • g4 Vision U.S. South$129.991 Year
  • g4 Vision U.S. East$129.991 Year
  • GN+ US & Coast Canada Built-In$149.991 Year
One-time11
  • U.S. LakeVü Detail Map$59.99
  • US+Great Lakes Detail Map$99.99
  • BlueChart g3+LakeVu g3 Built-I$99.99
Show 8 more
  • LUS100F - Download$149.99
  • GN+ U.S. South$149.99
  • GN+ U.S. East$149.99
  • VUS010R - Download$174.99
  • GN+ U.S. & Canada$199.99
  • HXUS604X - Download$219.99
  • GNV+ U.S. East$249.99
  • GNV+ U.S. South$249.99

Questions

Is Mirror Control free?
Mirror Control is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is ActiveCaptain® free?
ActiveCaptain® is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Mirror Control or ActiveCaptain®?
ActiveCaptain® is rated higher. Mirror Control averages 1.3 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while ActiveCaptain® averages 4.0 from 5.2K ratings.
Do Mirror Control or ActiveCaptain® have ads?
Neither Mirror Control nor ActiveCaptain® shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Mirror Control or ActiveCaptain®?
Mirror Control ships an update every 16 months, and ActiveCaptain® every 3 months. Most recently, Mirror Control was updated on October 2, 2026 and ActiveCaptain® on October 13, 2026.

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