Best boating & marine navigation apps for Android
Boating and marine navigation apps turn a phone or tablet into a chart plotter with nautical charts, position, course, speed, waypoints and route planning.
15 apps ranked · How we rank
-
A draft-aware marine chart app that suits recreational boaters in covered regions, provided the subscription and coverage fit your water.
-
A deep, offline marine chart app for boaters and anglers who want depth, tides and voice-guided routing in one place.
-
A well-established all-in-one boating app that suits sailors, powerboaters and anglers willing to try the free version before paying for full access.
-
A free, focused companion for Garmin chartplotter owners that earns its keep through charts, syncing and community data.
-
A focused, free route-planning tool for boaters who want waypoints, leg figures and live course tracking without extra ceremony.
-
A free, well-stocked charting app for US boaters, with premium routing, weather and offline charts for those who need more.
-
A well-established paid offline navigator for hikers, boaters and backcountry travelers who plan routes in advance and value file-based data.
-
A free, ad-free companion for US boaters that pairs five-day marine forecasts with 24/7 tow dispatch and membership tools.
-
A capable chart-first navigation app for US boaters who will pay per region and want tides, anchor alarm and instrument links.
-
A well-built companion for anglers with compatible Lowrance hardware.
More of the best boating & marine navigation apps
About boating & marine navigation apps
They help when paper charts or a dedicated unit are not at hand, when a route needs a quick change, or as a backup on the water. They suit day sailors, anglers, kayakers and anyone boating in familiar waters. Some stick to simple chart viewing and basic route planning; others add autorouting, instrument feeds and offline chart downloads. They differ in chart coverage, how much works without a signal, and which charts and features are free and which need a purchase or subscription.
What to look for
- Check the chart source and coverage for your area, since some apps use official hydrographic data while others rely on community edits that may be less complete.
- Confirm how charts are stored and whether they work offline, because a reliable plotter needs to function when you are out of cell range.
- See whether the app supports route planning and autorouting, which can save time but may require a subscription or specific chart packages.
- Look at how the app handles subscriptions or one-time purchases, as some lock essential navigation behind a recurring fee while others sell charts individually.
- Consider whether you need instrument integration or just a standalone plotter, since extra features can add complexity and cost.
How we rank
Apps are ranked by their Google Play rating (weighted by how many people rated them), their number of installs, how recently they were updated and how closely they fit the category. Only apps we've reviewed are included.