Comparison

RipCharts vs recfishwest

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

Head to head
About

RipCharts

Access industry-leading satellite fishing maps for offshore fishermen. Evaluate recent satellite imagery to find favorable fishing conditions. View, download, and navigate with detailed data layers for informed decision-making at sea.

Highlights
  • Satellite imagery analysis
  • Near real-time data layers
  • Offline map downloads
  • Multi-touch map navigation
  • Customizable SST color ranges
  • GPS navigation
  • Pre-loaded fishing hotspots
Features
Read full description

Welcome to RipCharts, an industry leader in satellite fishing maps. This app is free to download for existing RipCharts Premium subscribers. If you are new to RipCharts, then we allow you to purchase a new RipCharts subscription via an In App Purchase. Please contact us if you have questions or would like a complementary demo The RipCharts mobile app is a powerful tool that enables offshore fishermen to evaluate recent satellite imagery in order to determine favorable fishing conditions. Search for, view, and download maps of near realtime satellite imagery onto your device to take with you offshore. View the latest imagery datasets: Raw SST orbit scans Composite SST (1day, 3day) Multi-Res/Cloud Free SST Sub-Surface SST. 0m, -25m, -50m, -100m 5 day SST forecast models Chlorophyll Chlorophyll/Cloud mashups Chlorophyll composites True Color Altimetry Currents Salinity Bathymetry Map Features: Use the multi touch map to zoom, pan, view waypoints, and overlay additional data layers to gain insight into where the most favorable fishing zones are located. Mapping Tools: Measure distances and headings between points Dynamically customize temp/color ranges on SST maps to identify subtle breaks - powerful feature! Overlay bathymetry, altimetry, currents, and Loran layers Tap the map to receive point information (lat, lon, depth, SST) Popular waypoints and fishing hotspots come pre-loaded Manage your personal waypoints (add, edit, delete) Save imagery to your device for offline/offshore use Show your position and navigate on saved imagery using GPS satellites "Go Here" navigation with bearing, ETA, and speed displays Floater oil rig positions updated twice daily (Gulf of Mexico only)

About

recfishwest

Access up-to-date Western Australian fishing regulations, fish identification guides, and marine park information. This free app provides details on seasons, bag limits, and reef locations, even offline.

Highlights
  • Up-to-date WA fishing rules
  • Fish identification guide
  • Interactive marine park info
  • Artificial reefs and FADs locations
  • Offline access
  • Fishing seasons and licenses
  • Bag limits and edibility ratings
Features
Read full description

Download Western Australia's number one premium fishing mobile app for all your WA fishing rules. Gain access to all of WA’s up-to-date fishing rules, fish ID, GPS interactive marine park info, artificial reefs, FADs and fishing safety infrastructure locations at your fingertips, even when you're outside of phone and internet reception! High quality illustrations and details of hundreds of species of fish, crustaceans and other aquatic animals all accessible on your phone through this free app. Includes up to date information about all your favourite fish, including fishing seasons and licences, bag limits, edibility ratings plus identify what you've caught with the easy three-step Recfishwest fish ID! Passionate about fishing and want to do your bit for the sustainability of our precious fish stocks by sticking to the rules? Download your FREE app today!

Screenshots

RipCharts4 screens
recfishwest4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: recfishwest at none against RipCharts's 10. RipCharts's advantage is iOS requirement (11.0 vs 15.6). On price, review sentiment, update cadence and ads 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. RipCharts sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. recfishwest asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

RipCharts ships an update monthly, recfishwest every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
RipCharts versus recfishwest: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRipChartsrecfishwest
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (488 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews71.4% of reviews77.8% of reviews — better
Number of ratings488 — better—
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 5 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS11.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size156 MB114 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRipChartsWA RECREATIONAL & SPORTFISHING COUNCIL

Customer experience

RipCharts

All ratings488 ratings
Positive95.7%
Neutral1.6%
Negative2.7%
Written reviews49 reviews
Positive71.4%
Neutral4.1%
Negative24.5%

recfishwest

Written reviews18 reviews
Positive77.8%
Neutral5.6%
Negative16.7%

Bugs and requests

RipCharts

Reported bugs

7 issues
  • Pinch-to-zoom causes errors and app exit
  • App freezes when moving around maps
  • Pixelated and inaccurate display on newer devices
  • Current information fails to load on selected spots
  • Manual latitude/longitude input numbers not visible
Show 2 more
  • App crashes after recent updates
  • Altimetry chart fails to update for days

Requested features

8 requests
  • Free trial period before purchase
  • Money-back guarantee within 30 days
  • Expanded coverage for Western Australia
  • Hawaii harbor and location data
  • More frequent chart updates (real-time preferred)
Show 3 more
  • Better resolution for close-range fishing areas
  • Improved map display quality and clarity
  • Faster satellite imagery delivery

recfishwest

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

10 purchases

RipCharts

One-time10
  • US - Gulf of Mexico$169.99
  • US - East Coast$169.99
  • US - West Coast$169.99
Show 7 more
  • MX - Baja$169.99
  • AU - Queensland/Cairns$169.99
  • AU - Queensland/NSW/Brisbane$169.99
  • AU - NSW/Sydney$169.99
  • NZ - New Zealand North$169.99
  • NZ - New Zealand South$169.99
  • US / Baja Package$229.99
None

recfishwest

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is RipCharts free?
RipCharts is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is recfishwest free?
recfishwest is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do RipCharts or recfishwest have ads?
Neither RipCharts nor recfishwest shows ads.
Which is updated more often, RipCharts or recfishwest?
RipCharts ships an update monthly, and recfishwest every 5 weeks. Most recently, RipCharts was updated on September 21, 2026 and recfishwest on September 10, 2026.

Other comparisons