Good weather data is the foundation for safety at sea and relaxed trip planning. Apart from the large all-rounders, specialised apps offer high-resolution models for local areas or complex routing calculations directly on the tablet. However, confusing subscription models and complicated functions often complicate the search for the right system.
As it is difficult to carry out a proper practical test of all available apps and their functions, we have concentrated on analysing the app functions and evaluating app store ratings. This overview should help you to better assess the strengths and weaknesses of the individual systems and make the right choice for your personal requirements and budget. The following overview presents the most powerful apps for the 2026 sailing season.
These are the 15 best weather and routing apps:
DMI Vejr
Sailors in Danish waters in particular should have the app from the Swedish national weather service DMI on their radar. Its core is the ultra-local "HARMONIE" model with a grid resolution of just 2.5 kilometres, which precisely records wind effects between the islands. The hourly current charts under the menu item "Hav" and the centimetre-precise water level forecasts for the harbours are also very helpful. The consistent language barrier is criticised in the application, as the app is only available in Danish. As a government service, it is free of charge and discreetly financed by advertising.
DWD warning weather
In German coastal waters, the WarnWetter app from the German Weather Service can play an important role in preventing severe weather. Its core expertise lies in the official warnings of storms or thunderstorms, which are sent directly to the end device via push message. The official marine weather reports in the proven text format are also practical. The application offers a high level of reliability for the German North Sea and Baltic Sea coasts. With a one-off charge of €2.49 for the full version, the app is an inexpensive investment in safety on board.
LuckGrib
LuckGrib is specially optimised for use under difficult conditions via satellite connections such as Iridium GO! Technically, the app scores with extremely small data packets, which saves time and costs with satellite connections. LuckGrib also offers very flexible routing: the skipper can tell the app exactly how to avoid certain obstacles or islands instead of just following a rigid suggestion. One major difference to many competitors is the user-friendly pricing model: instead of ongoing subscriptions, you only pay once. The basic app for GRIB data access costs 34.99 euros. In addition, there is the weather routing for 69.99 euros and the offshore module for satellite data downloads for a further 69.99 euros. Anyone wishing to purchase the complete system for worldwide use, including routing, will therefore pay a one-off fee of around 175.00 euros. Please note that the versions for iOS and Mac require separate purchases.
- only for iOS
- Costs: Complete package for a one-off €175
Meteoblue
Meteoblue is a weather application that is used for detailed data analyses and the comparison of different forecasts. The app analyses the data from over 40 different weather models and calculates the "Predictability Index". This shows in per cent how reliable the wind forecast is for the day, which is particularly helpful in recognising unstable weather conditions. The diagrams that combine wind data directly with wave height and wave period are also useful for sailors. One point of criticism is the confusing menu navigation, as many functions are specifically geared towards aviation. The subscription model is also split into two parts: In the app, you pay €6.99 per year just for the freedom from advertising, while the comprehensive professional package (point+) is a separate subscription for the website. The service has been majority-owned by Windy.com since June 2024, but will continue to operate as an independent tool.
Météo Marine
The app operated by Météo Consult is particularly suitable for sailing in European waters, especially along the French coasts and in the Mediterranean region. At its heart is a proprietary, high-resolution model with a grid resolution of just one kilometre, which depicts local wind phenomena much more precisely than global models. In addition to classic wind and wave forecasts, the application provides detailed information on harbours, anchorages and specific coastal risks. While a 24-hour preview of the interactive maps is available free of charge, more in-depth analyses and personalised warning functions require a Zen subscription for €5.99 per month. Sailors appreciate the app for its high reliability in coastal zones, but point out that the full functionality is primarily optimised for the European area.
NavimetriX
As a modern, cross-platform newcomer, NavimetriX closes the gap between operating systems. The application runs identically on Android, iOS, Windows and Mac with a central account, whereby all routes and settings are automatically synchronised via the cloud. Technically, NavimetriX is based on the proven algorithms of SailGrib and Weather4D, but offers a modern user interface including an autopilot interface and active AIS collision warning. The service uses official raster and vector charts via GeoGarage. The pricing model is split into two parts: The premium app costs around €80 per year, plus chart subscriptions for €30 to €60 each, bringing the total annual cost to between €110 and €140.
- only for iOS
- Costs: Complete package for approx. 110-140 euros
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 graphics-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). Sailors 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, the app is regarded by the community as an indispensable fallback 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.
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 narrowband 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.
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, which increases independence from external servers and safety on the high seas. The software is specifically optimised for narrowband data retrieval via satellite systems such as Iridium GO! Another very practical feature is the official Navionics interface, which enables existing chart subscriptions to be mirrored directly into the application at no extra 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 / lifetime licence for €139
SMHI Väder
What the DMI does for Denmark, the SMHI does for Swedish waters. The app offers a dedicated section for marine weather ("Sjöväder"), which is specifically tailored to the conditions in the archipelago. Technically, the service uses the high-resolution "AROME" model, which takes local winds and terrain structures into account in greater detail than international applications. In addition, the SMHI provides official coastal warnings and precise water level data, which can be particularly useful for navigating in the archipelago. As a state-funded service, the app is completely free of charge and free of advertising.
Squid mobile
Squid Mobile has established itself as a powerful yet easy-to-use routing app that makes professional grib data accessible to everyone. The application offers a free basic version which, however, only displays rough model data with a short prediction period and does not have a routing function. The actual range of functions is only activated with regional data packages.
The high-resolution Europe package including routing currently costs 33.99 euros per year, with flexible periods such as weekly or monthly subscriptions also available for short-term trips. While competitors often require external programmes or tables to adjust the boat properties, Squid Mobile allows the values to be edited directly in the app interface. This allows users to view the performance data of their yacht in order to obtain even more precise routing results. In addition to the mobile versions for Android and iOS, the app is also available as a desktop version for Windows and Mac, which enables seamless planning between the chart table and cockpit.
Weather4D
What SailGrib does for Android, Weather4D does as a technologically leading solution for the iOS world. The app functions as a fully-fledged chart plotter if required and therefore goes beyond pure routing. One interesting function is the simulation function, which skippers can use to virtually sail planned trips in order to precisely estimate weather windows. The visualisation is elegantly implemented in the Apple ecosystem. The complex pricing is often criticised in reviews: In addition to the one-off purchase of the routing version for €37.99, there are annual costs for high-resolution weather data (approx. €38.00) and for the map material (€30 to €60). In practice, this often adds up to over €100 in the first year.
- only for iOS
- Costs: Approx. 100€ per year
Windfinder
Windfinder remains a reliable tool for quickly comparing conditions in the cockpit. The strength of the app lies in the precise real-time data that is generated via a closely meshed network of global measuring stations. While the "Superforecast" offers an hourly forecast, the application is only suitable for large-scale weather planning at sea to a limited extent, as its focus is on individual locations. The main criticism is the presence of advertising in the free version and the confusing differentiation between the "Plus", "Free" and the outdated "Pro" versions. The ad-free Plus subscription is available for €12.99 per year.
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 ECMWF, GFS, ICON and AROME to be compared directly. Current enhancements also allow route planning along a manually plotted course. The restrictive pricing policy is usually criticised in the user comments, as the free version only offers three-hour intervals and the more precise one-hour forecast is reserved for paying premium customers. The subscription costs around €26.00 per year.
Yr
The app from the Norwegian weather service is well suited to recording local weather conditions. Its big trump card is the so-called meteogram, a clear graph that precisely visualises wind, air pressure and precipitation. The rain forecast in particular is considered to be one of the most reliable on the market. Another massive plus point is that Yr is completely free and has no annoying adverts. As no wind fields are displayed, the app only provides point forecasts for specific locations, which requires the user to know their exact position or the destination harbour.
