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OpenPlotter vs Signal K: catalog facts
OpenPlotter	Signal K

Best for: Boat owners building their own Raspberry Pi navigation and instrument system	Best for: Boat owners building a connected onboard system from their instruments and sensors
Free Free to download and install.	Free Free and open source.
Linux, Self-hosted	Web, Self-hosted
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	Bridges NMEA instruments with WiFi, mobile devices and web apps Large ecosystem of plugins and web apps Open specification anyone can implement Online demo to try before installing
Needs suitable hardware and some Linux setup Aimed at boat owners, with a technical learning curve	Needs an onboard computer and some setup work Aimed at technically inclined boat owners
Downloadable app, Operating system	Self-hosted
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 Signal K signalk.org Catalog checked September 23, 2026

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