Shellback vs NavyMWR GreatLakes
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Shellback
This app provides US Naval Surface Force personnel with offline access to essential information. It includes manuals and resources for administration, medical, operations, personnel management, safety, and navigation rules. Content is updated annually for relevance.
- Offline access to SURFOR information
- Admin/Training manuals
- Medical readiness resources
- Operations and navigation training
- Personnel management documents
- Safety information and lessons learned
- Rules of the Road quiz
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What is the Shellback app? Shellback, formerly known as eDivo, is a free mobile app developed to support US Naval Surface Force (SURFOR) personnel in an easy-to-access offline environment. What is a Shellback? In naval tradition, a Shellback is a nickname for a Sailor who has crossed the Equator and thus transitioned from a novice Sailor, or Pollywog, to an experienced Sailor. Why do I need Shellback? Shellback provides Sailors the ability to download key SURFOR information on their own portable devices and access it while underway without the need for an internet connection. Shellback provides the most relevant and current information to SURFOR Sailors in one location. Content is scheduled for annual updates. What type of info can I find in Shellback? The information in Shellback is separated into several main categories: -Admin/Training: Contains the Correspondence Manual and the SURFOR Training and Readiness Manual. -Medical: Includes the Manual of the Medical Department, information on medical and physical readiness, mental health, Medical Evaluation Board procedures, the Disability Evaluation System, family member readiness, and more. -Operations: Includes information and training on bridge management, navigation basics, watch team tools, crew endurance, operating procedures for air-capable ships, Air Certification for Naval Surface Force Ships, and manuals for amphibs, maintenance, and other general ship operation resources. -Personnel Management: Provides documents on Navy personnel policy and administration. Also includes legal handbooks and manuals, resources for Surface Warfare Officers, and a variety of general personnel management resources. -Safety: Provides documents related to lessons learned, mishap reporting, notices, safety-related awards, and general safety resources. -Rules of the Road: This quiz tests a Sailor’s knowledge of maritime navigation rules.
NavyMWR GreatLakes
Access comprehensive information about Fleet & Family Readiness programs, including dining, recreation, fitness, and support services. Discover event schedules, movie listings, and job opportunities with real-time updates and GPS directions.
- Facility and program information
- Real-time movie listings
- Event calendar integration
- GPS directions to facilities
- Feedback submission
- Shareable information
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Navy MWR Great Lakes brings together information on Fleet & Family Readiness programs such as MWR, CYP, Galleys, FFSC and NGIS. Find the latest hours of operation and general info for places to eat, recreation and entertainment, fitness and sports, support programs, job opportunities, movie listings, calendar of events and so much more all in one spot. Highlights: • Facility and program info at your fingertips • Real-time movie listings • Browse upcoming events and add them to your device’s calendar • Share info with friends via text, email or your favorite social media site • Get GPS directions to facilities • Send us your feedback and questions right from the app • And so much more Connect with us on the web at www.navymwrgreatlakes.com. Connect with Navy Fleet & Family Readiness programs world wide at www.NavyMWR.org or www.Facebook.com/NavyFFR.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Shellback at 45% against NavyMWR GreatLakes's 0%. Shellback also leads on rating (3.2 vs 3.0) and ratings volume (38 vs 7). NavyMWR GreatLakes's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Shellback holds the better App Store score, 3.2 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Shellback has 38 ratings behind it against 7, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 45% of Shellback's written reviews are positive against 0% of NavyMWR GreatLakes's.
Shellback ships an update every 10 months, NavyMWR GreatLakes every 5 months. Both last shipped on June 9, 2026.
| Parameter | Shellback | NavyMWR GreatLakes |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.2 (38 ratings) — better | 3.0 (7 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 45.2% of reviews — better | 0.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 38 — better | 7 |
| Update frequency | Every 10 months | Every 5 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 13.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 71 MB | 54 MB |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Program Executive Office for Enterprise Information Systems, Sea Warrior Program | CNIC HQ |
Customer experience
Shellback
NavyMWR GreatLakes
In-app purchases
Shellback
No in-app purchases
NavyMWR GreatLakes
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Shellback free?
Is NavyMWR GreatLakes free?
Which has better reviews, Shellback or NavyMWR GreatLakes?
Do Shellback or NavyMWR GreatLakes have ads?
Which is updated more often, Shellback or NavyMWR GreatLakes?
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