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OpenCPN vs OpenPlotter: catalog facts
OpenCPN	OpenPlotter
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Best for: Sailors who want a full chartplotter on a laptop or onboard computer	Best for: Boat owners building their own Raspberry Pi navigation and instrument system
Free Free and open source.	Free Free to download and install.
Windows, macOS, Linux, Android	Linux, Self-hosted
Runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, Raspberry Pi and Android Plugin manager with a catalog of community plugins Designed for use at the helm while underway No cost for the software itself	Ready-made Raspberry OS images with apps configured Bundles OpenCPN, AvNav and XyGrib Connects to NMEA 0183, NMEA 2000, Seatalk 1 and Signal K Chart plotter reachable from phones and tablets
Desktop-style interface is less suited to phones than dedicated mobile apps Some chart sets must be obtained separately	Needs suitable hardware and some Linux setup Aimed at boat owners, with a technical learning curve
Downloadable app	Downloadable app, Operating system
Open source	Not open source
License not stated	License not stated
No account needed	Not stated if an account is needed
Offline features available	Offline features available
Official website Full listing and sources Sources for OpenCPN opencpn.org play.google.com/store/apps/details Catalog checked September 23, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Sources for OpenPlotter openmarine.net/openplotter Catalog checked September 24, 2026

“Not stated” means we have not confirmed it. Features can vary by device and plan.

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