Comparison

RipCharts vs CA FishMap

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

CA FishMap

Features
Read full description

Discover the ultimate fishing companion with CAFishMap, designed specifically for ocean anglers on the California coast. Whether you're planning your next trip or already on the water, CA FishMap is your essential guide to successful and sustainable fishing. Key Features: - Interactive Fishing Maps: Access overlays of marine protected areas and crucial fathom lines. Know exactly where you can fish, ensuring compliance with local regulations. - Offline Functionality: Use our maps and resources without needing an internet connection, perfect for those remote sea excursions. - Resource Center: Stay informed with a list of fishing regulations, easy species identification, a safety checklist, and a calendar marking open fishing seasons. CA FishMap not only enhances your fishing adventures but also helps in preserving the marine ecosystem by promoting responsible fishing practices. Ready to cast your line? Download CA FishMap today and transform how you fish along the California coast!

Screenshots

RipCharts4 screens
CA FishMap4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: RipCharts at Free against CA FishMap's $9.99. RipCharts also leads on device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 18.6). CA FishMap's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 10). On 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

RipCharts is free to download; CA FishMap costs $9.99 up front. RipCharts sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. CA FishMap asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

RipCharts ships an update monthly, CA FishMap every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 16, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
RipCharts versus CA FishMap: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRipChartsCA FishMap
PriceFree — better$9.99
Rating4.8 (488 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews71.4% of reviews—
Number of ratings488 — better—
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS11.0 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size156 MB30 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRipChartsMark Kinoshita

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

CA FishMap

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

CA FishMap

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is RipCharts free?
RipCharts is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is CA FishMap free?
CA FishMap costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do RipCharts or CA FishMap have ads?
Neither RipCharts nor CA FishMap shows ads.
Which is updated more often, RipCharts or CA FishMap?
RipCharts ships an update monthly, and CA FishMap every 2 months. Most recently, RipCharts was updated on September 21, 2026 and CA FishMap on September 16, 2026.

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