The increasing connectivity of on-board systems on modern yachts has given rise to many new apps in recent years. Finding the system with the right range of functions for your own needs can be a challenge. In addition, confusing subscription models and additional costs make the decision more difficult. Here is a compact overview of 20 practical apps that can make everyday life on board easier.
Apps: Weather & forecast
Choosing the right weather apps can save time and nerves. It doesn't always have to be the most feature-rich app. Free versions are often also suitable for reliable forecasts.
Windy.com
Windy.com has established itself as the standard on many yachts thanks to its clear graphical presentation of weather data. The fluid particle animations in particular enable the skipper to intuitively grasp wind and wave movements. A major advantage for cruise planning is the model comparison: the "Compare" function allows forecasts from several weather models (from ECMWF, GFS, ICON and AROME) to be compared directly. Current extensions also allow route planning along a manually plotted course. While the free version only offers three-hour intervals, the more precise one-hour forecast is reserved for paying Premium customers. The subscription costs around €26.00 per year.
PredictWind
PredictWind is a powerful weather app that uses up to eleven different forecast models in the full version. The software offers precise weather routing and a departure planner to determine the safest route based on the ship's polars. Technically, it is optimised for gentle data transmission via satellite (e.g. Iridium). As the operation is complex and the professional features require expensive subscriptions, the system often seems oversized for pure coastal navigation. The cheapest entry-level subscription (Basic) for around €29.00 per year only offers basic weather forecasts without a routing function. Professional weather routing and the departure planner are only available from the Standard subscription for around €274.00 per year; the Professional version costs around €499.00.
PocketGrib
In an era of high-resolution weather graphics, PocketGrib is a functional alternative that proves its value above all in optimised data consumption. While graphic-intensive applications often reach their limits with weak mobile phone connections (2G/Edge), PocketGrib enables the targeted download of compact GRIB files (compactly formatted meterological data). Owners can request parameters such as wind, air pressure, wave height or CAPE values for a precisely defined area. Once downloaded, the application acts as a reliable offline viewer for hourly forecast analyses. The design, which has remained unchanged for years, and the lack of modern local models and plotter functions have been criticised. Nevertheless, many users regard the app as an indispensable backup for situations with an unstable internet connection. The pricing model is user-friendly: for a one-off payment of €6.99 (iOS) or €2.99 (Android), permanent access to the GRIB servers is granted without a subscription.
DWD warning weather
The core competence of the DWD app lies in the official warnings of storms or thunderstorms, which are sent directly to the end device via push message. A separate section for coastal weather also provides the official marine weather reports in the proven text format. The application offers a high level of reliability for the German North Sea and Baltic Sea coasts, although the basic functions are deliberately kept simple. A frequent point of criticism is the need to activate the full version via an in-app purchase. Due to legal requirements, the state service is no longer allowed to offer detailed maps and forecasts free of charge. However, with a one-off charge of €2.49, the full version is an inexpensive investment in safety on board.
You can find the detailed report on the 15 best weather apps here here.
Apps: Navigation
The cost of a functioning navigation system including hardware and software in a sailing boat can quickly run into four figures. Apps can help you to navigate without an expensive chart plotter but independently of analogue nautical charts. To avoid mistakes when buying, you should bear in mind a few basic conditions. Sea charts often have to be purchased in addition to the subscription models and incur ongoing costs. In addition, many providers only offer access to offline charts with an ongoing subscription.
Aqua Map
The application focuses on the integration of on-board hardware and official geodata. Using an interface module, the app processes NMEA 0183 and Signal-K data via WLAN and displays AIS targets including collision warnings on the chart. A key functional feature is the "Route Explorer", which scans planned routes for obstacles and bridge heights. For monitoring at anchor, the system offers a remote alarm that transmits position data and warnings to mobile devices via Telegram or email. In North America, the app also provides access to detailed survey data from the US military. The annual costs for a package consisting of regional nautical charts and the extended functions are between 30 and 40 euros per year, depending on the sea area.
Orca: The Marine CoPilot
Orca combines the computing power of mobile devices with specialised hardware. The system uses vector maps, which enable the maps to be zoomed and panned without delay. While the Plus package (€49/year) offers worldwide offline maps, only Smart Navigation (€149/year) unlocks weather-based routing as well as AIS and instrument integration. In conjunction with the optional Orca Core (€549), the tablet becomes a fully-fledged display including autopilot control. The global pricing model often seems oversized for regional skippers; in addition, cancellation leads to the immediate loss of all offline maps.
C-Map Boating
C-Map Boating positions itself as a visually appealing and more cost-effective alternative to the market leader Navionics. The app's "Reveal Shaded Relief" display, which visualises the seabed in an almost photorealistic way, is particularly noteworthy. For owners who use systems from B&G, Simrad or Lowrance, the app offers seamless synchronisation of routes and waypoints with the chart plotter. The pricing model is cheaper than the competition at €29.99 for a regional subscription or €48.99 for the worldwide premium package.
One major point of criticism concerns Danish waters: due to licence restrictions, the app often does not allow offline storage of maps there, which makes navigation more difficult if the mobile phone connection fails. While the stability under iOS is praised, Android users occasionally report delayed loading times. It should also be noted that access to all downloaded offline maps is lost once the subscription expires.
NV Charts
NV Charts combines paper maps with the navigation app: with the purchase of a map atlas for , the digital data set including GPS navigation is included free of charge for one year. The app allows you to switch between the classic raster look, which corresponds to the familiar paper image, and modern vector maps. The range of functions includes Europe-wide autorouting, real-time layers for tidal data and an augmented reality function for identifying sea marks in the camera image. The stability on older Android devices and the loading times of the high-resolution raster maps are occasionally criticised. A digital-only subscription is available for €49.90 per year. Additional costs may be incurred for nautical charts.
Savvy Navvy
Savvy Navvy is aimed at sailors looking for maximum simplification of navigation and is often characterised as "Google Maps for boats". The application combines nautical charts, weather data from the ECMWF model as well as tide and current information in an intuitive user interface. The integrated routing automatically calculates the optimum course to steer, which makes planning easier for occasional sailors in particular. However, users of the app are warned to pay attention, as the routing algorithm sometimes plans courses very close to capes or shoals. In addition, the app's high energy consumption due to the permanent background calculations is criticised. The "Explore" package, which is relevant for owners and includes offline maps valid worldwide, costs €144.99 per year.
SailGrib WR
SailGrib WR is one of the most powerful solutions for tech-savvy Android users. The app pursues a consistent offline approach in which the weather routing is calculated directly on the end device. This massively increases independence from external servers and safety on the high seas. The software is specifically optimised for data retrieval via satellite systems such as Iridium GO! The official Navionics interface enables existing chart subscriptions to be mirrored directly into the application at no additional cost. The integration of live instrument data and AIS targets is also possible via NMEA gateways. The pricing model with an annual subscription for €45.99 or a lifetime licence for €139.00 is rated as fair.
- only for Android
- Costs: Annual subscription for €45.99 and lifetime licence for €139 + cards
You can find the detailed report on the 15 best apps for navigation and safety on board here.
Apps: the mobile device as an on-board instrument
When properly integrated, mobile devices can act as the central dashboard of a ship, visualising instrument data such as wind, depth or engine values individually. Such apps can replace expensive secondary displays in the cockpit and transfer important information directly to the smartwatch.
WilhelmSK
WilhelmSK is a powerful tool for owners who want to transform their iPad into a modern cockpit. The application specialises in the free visualisation of ship data and allows parameters such as wind, depth, engine data or tank levels to be individually arranged on the display. A key advantage in 2026 is the customer-friendly pricing model: with a one-off payment of €22.99, the app does not require a subscription. One challenge is the technical set-up, which requires a Wi-Fi gateway or a Signal K server as well as appropriate network knowledge.
- only for iOS
- Costs: One-off payment of €22.99
NMEAremote
NMEAremote focusses on the stable processing and display of complex data records within an on-board network. The app is considered one of the most reliable tools on the market and processes standard values as well as Navtex messages and AIS lists. Regatta sailors benefit from specific modules for start timers and the calculation of performance values based on polar data. Another practical feature is the ActiveLook integration, which enables data such as course and speed to be displayed directly in AR goggles. However, the user interface and the complex configuration are no longer considered up-to-date by many users. The licence is available for a one-off payment of €22.99.
- only for iOS
- Costs: One-off payment of €22.99
navCentre
navCenter has established itself as a functional subsidiary display for NMEA data for IOS and communicates with systems from Garmin, B&G and other providers across all manufacturers. A special technological feature is the support of SeaTalk protocols: If a corresponding wifi gateway is available, the app can be used as a remote control for the autopilot. The software also offers integration for the Apple Watch, as well as the display of classic wind and log data. The pricing model for 2026 provides for an annual subscription for €17.99 or a one-off licence fee of €39.99.
- only for iOS
- Costs: Subscription model for €17.99 per year or one-off purchase for €39.99
You can find the detailed report on the eleven best apps as an on-board instrument here here
Apps: Security & anchoring
Nowadays, many apps help to make sailing safer. The spectrum ranges from digital anchor watches to direct emergency calls to the rescue services. The big advantage is the constant availability: critical alarms land directly on the smartphone, which provides additional safety and a better feeling, especially when going ashore.
SafeTrx (DGzRS)
The DGzRS SafeTrx app is highly recommended for water sports enthusiasts in German waters. It acts as a direct interface to the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC Bremen) and offers two decisive safety advantages: In an emergency, the red emergency call button transmits the exact GPS position directly to the rescue coordination centre even before the call is established. The tracking function ensures passive safety: skippers enter their estimated time of arrival (ETA). If this is exceeded without feedback, the system automatically alerts a private emergency contact who can give the rescuers access to the last known route. The app is completely free of charge.
Marine traffic
MarineTraffic is much more than a global chart for ship observation. The OnCourse app makes it possible to actively report your own position, whereby this data remains purely internet-based and therefore invisible to conventional VHF AIS receivers. While the basic functions are free of charge, only the starter subscription (€119.99 per year) unlocks advanced functions such as active collision avoidance (CPA/TCPA) with alarm function and route planning. This is complemented by an augmented reality (AR) mode that superimposes ship information directly onto the live camera image of the horizon.
AnchorChainCalculator
The AnchorChainCalculator is a specialised analysis tool for skippers who are looking for a sound basis for securing their anchorage. Based on the ship's data, the application calculates the wind force at which an anchor could lose its holding power, taking into account water depth, chain lead, weight and shock absorbers. The user interface is deliberately kept functional and dispenses with modern design elements, which is reminiscent of technical analysis programmes. The app is often too complex for occasional sailors, but its reliability is impressive. A one-off purchase costs around €8.99, with no additional subscription costs.
Anchor Pro
Anchor Pro has established itself as a standard for electronic monitoring of the Schwoijkreis. In 2026, the application scores points above all with its sophisticated Telegram integration: in the event of an alarm, a device remaining on board sends position data and chart screenshots directly to the skipper's smartphone or Apple Watch on land. Even status queries via chat command are possible. With a rating of 4.8 stars in the App Store, it is one of the best-rated nautical applications. A known problem is GPS drift when used below deck, which can occasionally trigger false alarms. The Pro upgrade for remote monitoring costs €6.99.
You can find the detailed report on the eleven best apps for navigation and safety on board here.
Apps: Trip planning
Where the official nautical chart ends, digital trip planning begins. Community-based apps pool the knowledge of thousands of sailors and offer information on harbours and bays - from the drinking water point to the peculiarities of an anchorage. They are the perfect supplement for planning after mooring, even if they usually rely on the parallel use of a dedicated navigation app for precise depth data. They also offer the opportunity to network among sailors and make new contacts.
Navily
Navily has established itself as a community tool for cruise planning in European waters and the Mediterranean. With over 300,000 user comments on anchorages and harbours, the app offers a wealth of information that goes beyond traditional manuals. A key technical feature is the "protection score", an algorithm that calculates the safety of a mooring based on geography as well as wind and swell forecasts. Berths can also be reserved directly via the platform in over 700 partner marinas. The free basic version requires a permanent internet connection. A premium subscription for €29.99 per year is required for offline mode and a 72-hour forecast. As the app does not provide precise depth contours, the use of an official nautical chart is mandatory.
Harbour Guide (Havneguiden)
The harbour guide app is the digital twin of the renowned "Havneguiden" books. The app offers verified descriptions from local experts, as well as exclusive Hydrographica special maps at a scale of 1:10,000, which show even the smallest details in the archipelago. A special feature is the photo navigation using high-resolution helicopter images, in which anchor lines and danger spots are precisely marked. Technically, the app is often described as unwieldy. There is no global offline mode, so harbours have to be saved individually, which can lead to loading errors if there is no network coverage. In addition, the image volumes require a high data volume, and regular online verification can block access in dead spots. The annual subscription costs around €59.00, while monthly access is available for around €10.00.
Noforeignland
Noforeignland connects sailors all over the world. As a donation-based platform, the service provides information on on-board logistics that is rarely found in traditional chart plotters: from dinghy docks and drinking water points to launderettes and gas stations. Profiles of over 15,000 ships can be tracked via an interactive nautical chart, making it easier to network with like-minded people or family crews. It is not a navigation tool, but a supplement for everyday life after mooring.
As all data originates from the community, it is not subject to official verification. The quality of the information therefore varies from region to region, which requires the user to regularly check that it is up to date. The project is completely free of charge and free of advertising and is financed exclusively by voluntary donations.
