Compare software

OpenPlotter vs OpenCPN: catalog facts
OpenPlotter	OpenCPN
	Screenshots
Best for: Boat owners building their own Raspberry Pi navigation and instrument system	Best for: Sailors who want a full chartplotter on a laptop or onboard computer
Free Free to download and install.	Free Free and open source.
Linux, Self-hosted	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android
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	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
Needs suitable hardware and some Linux setup Aimed at boat owners, with a technical learning curve	Desktop-style interface is less suited to phones than dedicated mobile apps Some chart sets must be obtained separately
Downloadable app, Operating system	Downloadable app
Not open source	Open source
License not stated	License not stated
Not stated if an account is needed	No account needed
Offline features available	Offline features available
Official website Full listing and sources Sources for OpenPlotter openmarine.net/openplotter Catalog checked September 24, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Sources for OpenCPN opencpn.org play.google.com/store/apps/details Catalog checked September 23, 2026

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

Screenshots