Apps for sailing: The best apps for everyday life on board and cruise planning
David Ingelfinger
· 12.01.2026
The selection of apps ranges from social networks for sailors to automated logbooks, including ship data. The range of community apps in particular has grown considerably in recent years. These networks thrive on direct communication between sailors and offer detailed information about harbours and bays.
The most important apps for everyday life on board and cruise planning:
Harbour guide
The harbour guide app is the digital version of the renowned "Havneguiden" books. The application offers location-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. Due to the high quality of information, the app is considered almost without alternative for sailing areas in Sweden and Norway. Technically, the app is often described as unwieldy. There is no global offline mode, so harbours have to be saved individually. The volume of images also requires a large amount of data. The annual subscription costs around €59.00, while monthly access is available for around €10.00.
Navily
The digital cruising guide Navily has established itself as a comprehensive digital aid and is increasingly supplementing or replacing traditional manuals in the Mediterranean. With a basis of over 300,000 user reviews, the app offers detailed information on everything from the holding quality of anchorages to the noise levels in marinas. Moorings can also be reserved directly via the application without additional fees. The free basic version of the app is primarily designed for online use in harbours. The premium version for €29.99/year also offers the so-called "protection score". This calculates the safety of a berth in a specific bay for the next 72 hours based on wind and swell forecasts. Users appreciate this tool for making it easier to decide where to anchor at night.
Skippo
Anyone travelling in Swedish waters should definitely have the Skippo app on their radar. Its unique selling point is the integration of high-precision hydrographic data, which is not included in many international nautical charts. For mooring in natural harbours, the app also provides specific information on rocky moorings, including an assessment of wind protection. Due to the depth of local detail, Skippo remains the reference tool for navigation and orientation in the archipelago. While pure planning on the PC is free of charge, mobile navigation on board requires a subscription. The model for 2026 is based on three levels: "Start" (€19.00/year), "Smart" including offline maps (€29.00/year) and "Premium" (€49.00/year) for more specialised data.
Watercards
The manager for the Netherlands Waterkaarten acts as a specialised information service for Dutch inland and coastal waters. The app enables route calculation taking into account mast height and draught. A key technical feature is the live data on bridge and lock opening times, which minimises waiting times. The system is a standard tool for charterers and owners in the Dutch area due to the database for the complex waterway network. However, charts can also be purchased here for other areas in Northern Europe. For one year of use, depending on the area, you pay around €55.00.
mySea
mySea acts as a specialised digital area guide for sailors in Croatia, Greece and Turkey. The core competence of the application lies in the real-time reservation of moorings in marinas, buoy fields and restaurant jetties. A functional advantage for holidaymakers in Croatia is the integration of national park tickets (e.g. for the Kornati islands), which can often be purchased more cheaply via the app than on site. The use of the app is free of charge for sailors, as the model is financed by the operator's commissions.
Noforeignland
Noforeignland connects sailors all over the world. As a donation-based platform, the app provides information on on-board logistics that is rarely found in traditional chart plotters: from dinghy docks and drinking water points to launderettes and petrol 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. As all the data comes from the community, it is not subject to any editorial checks. The quality of the information therefore varies from region to region. The project is completely free and ad-free and is financed exclusively by voluntary donations.
Nebo - Boat Logging
The Nebo app modernises the logbook through complete automation and a strong social component. Using the smartphone GPS or the "Nebo Link" hardware, it automatically recognises the start and end of the journey and creates a detailed report including a map, weather data and statistics after each trip. The "Nearby" function allows you to see users in the vicinity, follow friends' boats and be notified when they call at the same harbour. The family on land can also follow trips in real time on a map. While tracking via smartphone is free, the Nebo Link hardware costs around 160 to 190 euros. A subscription for 12 euros per month (or 110 euros per year) is also required for full functionality. However, the high battery consumption when using a smartphone alone and occasional GPS inaccuracies when recording below deck are criticised.
Ld-log
The Ld-log app is aimed at minimalists and charter sailors who value clean documentation without cloud compulsion. The principle is very simple: the app tracks in the background via GPS and automatically fills in fields such as course, position and speed. The skipper only has to add events such as "engine on" or "reef 1" at the touch of a finger. At the end of the trip, a PDF can be exported that has the layout of an official paper logbook. With a one-off price of €10.90, ld-log is an inexpensive, data protection-friendly solution.
- for Android available
- Costs: one-off purchase of €9.90
Logbook Suite
The Logbook Suite from 2K Yachting is a comprehensive management system for owners and long-distance sailors that goes far beyond mere cruise documentation. The software acts as a central instance for ship management, including maintenance intervals, inventory lists and crew management. In the Pro version, logbook entries can be generated fully automatically from the NMEA on-board network. The lack of support for Android devices and the pricing for use on multiple devices are criticised. The modular system starts at €59.00 for the Lite version and can cost up to €359.00 when fully equipped.
- for iOS
- Costs: From €59 to €359 per year
Splid
The favourite for the on-board cash register Splid is a widely used tool for managing the on-board cash register within crews. The application is characterised by a minimalist approach and does not require registration. A key feature for use at sea is the fully-fledged offline mode, which enables bookings to be made even without network coverage. The absence of a subscription is particularly appreciated. While the basic version is free of charge for up to two groups, the upgrade to "Splid Plus" permanently unlocks the full range of functions for a one-off payment of €3.99.
Chippy Split
The free Splid alternative Chippy Split positions itself as a free solution for crew management without functional restrictions. The application allows the management of any number of groups and expenses in different currencies without the need for user registration. The system offers automatic debt minimisation and intuitive handling. Although the app is ad-financed and does not offer such an in-depth offline synchronisation mode, it can be a good alternative for price-conscious users.
Airalo
Airalo improves mobile connectivity for long-distance sailors by replacing the purchase of local SIM cards with digital eSIMs. As soon as the ship comes within range of the coastal radio masts, the pre-booked data tariff is activated automatically. In 2026, the "Discover+" tariffs will also include global phone numbers for text messaging and telephony. The technical bottleneck is the activation process, which requires an existing internet connection. Prices for 1 GB of data volume (7 days) in 2026 will be around €13.50, while global annual packages with 20 GB will be available for around €58.00.
Komoot
If you want to stretch your legs after several days at sea, Komoot is the ideal companion for exploring on land. Its strength lies in its huge community: users share highlights such as hidden viewpoints or quaint taverns that are not listed in any traditional travel guide. The app is valuable for skippers because it offers reliable navigation away from tarmac roads. While the first region is free, the "World Package" is recommended for a one-off fee of €29.99. The optional premium subscription for around €60 per year is usually unnecessary for the occasional shore leave.
Node 3D
Knots 3D shows over 200 nautical and general knots in a fluid 3D animation. Users can rotate the perspective continuously, zoom into the knot and reduce the speed of the animation down to a single frame. Once downloaded, the app no longer requires an internet connection.
