Argo - #1 Boat Navigation App v2.15.0
Argo Navigation, LLCAbout this app
The Argo - #1 Boat Navigation App solves the problem of navigating through North American waters by providing free charts and an easy-to-use interface for planning, logging, and sharing boating trips. This app benefits boating enthusiasts and professionals alike, offering a comprehensive solution that stands out from alternatives in the Maps And Navigation category due to its specialized focus on boating. Compared to other navigation apps, Argo's lack of ads and moderate in-app purchase prices make it an attractive option. However, its limited geographical coverage might fall short for international users.
Pros
- With over 100,000 downloads and a 4.0/5 user rating, Argo has demonstrated its value to the boating community, showcasing a high level of social proof and user satisfaction.
- The app's free North America charts and ease of use make it an excellent choice for both casual and experienced boaters, providing a comprehensive navigation solution without the need for additional purchases.
- The developer's reputation, as evidenced by their professional website and contact information, suggests a commitment to supporting and updating the app, which is crucial for an app that relies on accurate and up-to-date navigation data.
- Argo's in-app purchases are reasonably priced, ranging from $2.99 to $39.99, and the absence of ads enhances the user experience, making it more enjoyable and less distracting.
- The app's requirement of zero permissions is a significant advantage, ensuring that users' privacy is respected and their data is not unnecessarily collected or shared.
Cons
- One of the primary concerns with Argo is its limited geographical coverage, currently only offering free North America charts, which might not be sufficient for users who frequently navigate in other regions.
- Although the in-app purchases are reasonably priced, some users might find the need to purchase additional features or charts beyond the initial free offering to be a drawback, potentially limiting the app's functionality for those on a tight budget.
- The app's performance and accuracy rely heavily on the quality of its charts and updates, and any issues with these could negatively impact the user experience, highlighting the importance of regular updates and maintenance.
- Some users might find the lack of a free trial for the in-app purchases to be a concern, as it requires them to commit to a purchase without being able to fully test the additional features.
Best for: The ideal user for Argo is an individual who frequently navigates through North American waters, either professionally or as a hobby, and is looking for a reliable, easy-to-use, and comprehensive boat navigation solution that offers a good balance between features and cost, with a moderate level of technical skill to fully utilize the app's capabilities.
Developer Description
Free North America charts. Plan, log & share your boating trips with ease.
Whether you’re exploring new waters, cruising with friends, or chasing sunsets, you deserve a smarter, simpler way to navigate. That’s where Argo comes in.
Argo is the all-in-one boating app that helps you plan trips, stay safe, and connect with fellow boaters. Think of Argo like the buddy who always knows the best spots, keeps you out of trouble, and never asks for gas money.
Why Argo?
Let’s be honest: marine software is either clunky, confusing, or so expensive you feel like you’re buying the boat all over again. Not Argo.
🗺 Effortless Navigation
Ditch clunky chartplotters and confusing apps. Plot routes directly on Argo’s interactive charts with just a few taps.
📍 Explore with Confidence
Hidden coves, waterfront restaurants, or the nearest fuel dock? Argo’s interactive map has it all—plus reviews and tips from other boaters.
💬 Stay Connected
Share adventures, swap tips, and see where friends are cruising. With Argo, the water feels a little smaller—and a lot more fun.
If you’re still reading this, you’re already late to the party. Download Argo now and thank us later.
What’s Included with Argo:
- Unlimited Charts: Access charts for the U.S., including inland lakes and rivers. Sourced from NOAA, Army Corps of Engineers, and local providers.
- Interactive Maps: Find marinas, anchorages, boat ramps, restaurants, and more.
- Captain’s Log: Plan, save, and relive your trips with detailed logs and memories.
- Real-Time Local Knowledge: Crowdsourced hazard reports, reviews, and insider tips from boaters like you.
- Social Features: See where friends are cruising, share photos, and message for meet-ups.
And yes, all of that is really free.
Go Beyond Free with Argo Premium
Go beyond the basics with tools that make boating easier, safer, and more enjoyable.
- Smart Autorouting: Auto-route around hazards and shallow waters, tailored to your boat’s draft.
- Offline Charts: Navigate confidently, even when you’re off the grid.
- 7-Day Weather Forecasts: Stay ahead with tides, wind, and conditions for smarter trip planning.
- Custom Depth Shading: Visualize the safest waters for your boat.
- Synch with Your Chartplotter: Import and export GPX files.
- Multi-Vessel Support: Easily manage routes and logs for all your boats.
It’s like upgrading from a dinghy to a yacht.
Your Adventure Starts Here
Ready to navigate smarter, explore farther, and connect better? Download Argo today and see why thousands of boaters have already made the switch.
Download Argo for free. Start your next adventure.
Follow Us:
Instagram, Facebook, Twitter: @argonavigation
Learn more at www.argonav.io
Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Privacy Policy: https://www.argonav.io/privacy/
Privacy
Given that Argo requires zero permissions, it presents a very low risk in terms of data collection and privacy concerns, making it a safe choice for users. However, as with any navigation app, users should be aware of the data they share when logging and sharing their trips, and consider the privacy implications of such actions. To further protect their privacy, users should review the developer's privacy policy, available on their website.
Tips
To get the most out of Argo, users should first explore the free North America charts to understand the app's capabilities and limitations. They should also regularly check for updates to ensure they have the latest charts and features, which can enhance their navigation experience. Additionally, users can optimize the app's performance by closing unnecessary apps and ensuring their device has sufficient storage space.
What's New
- Increased size of buttons for tablets
- Improved visibility of boater icons
- Added "My Location" to route options
- Renamed Captain's Log to My Trips and Voyages to Trips
- Updated My Pins/Place Details to mirror features found in My Trips
- Added ability for group members to add pins for their group only
- Integrated SlipRezi allowing users to reserve dock space and table at Florida dock bars/restaurants
In-app purchases
$2.99 - $39.99 per item
Version Information
- Version
- 2.15.0
- Downloads
- 100K+
- Updated on
- Dec 10, 2025
- Released
- Sep 8, 2019
- Requires
- Android 7.0
Statistics
Google Play Rating History
Rating Distribution
Downloads Over Time
Argo - #1 Boat Navigation App has been downloaded times. Over the past 30 days, it averaged downloads per day.
Shaded area shows 30-day prediction based on historical trends
Historical data collection started recently. More data points will be available over time.
Argo - #1 Boat Navigation App - Google Play Rankings
Top Rankings
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Ranking History in
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#90 in Top Grossing Maps And Navigation in United States
Argo - #1 Boat Navigation App users say on Google Play
Finally a decent usable free app for boat navigation! There are so many others out there that claim to be free but their functionality is extremely limited or not even usable. Years ago I paid for one that that was supposed to be free for lifetime and it wasn't true. Now it costs over $100 a year. This one gives me very similar functionality with no cost and some enhancements that the other one did not even have. Plus their premium subscription is more than half of other competitors!
keep it free and no ads. apart from that it's a great app. used it for many years without issues.
app is great, loading was a little slow, and i do enjoy using it, especially the premium features...however, im not renewing my annual subscription because the price doubled from $20 to $40. would be a 5 star review if you didnt raise the cost. jeff, you also sent me a email asking why i cancelled my subscription, stating 'please reply back as this is my personal email' and it got rejected because the email address i replied to was just another automatic spam email...kind of scammy, just saying.
This app could be fantastic but at least on Android I've had a very bad experience with it. Performance got really bad while on the water, and the point that shows my location and direction was almost never accurate, showing me crab walking as though the compass stopped working. Using the track feature at about 5 mph drew lines through islands that I was going around. After we got back to the dock, unloaded the boat and went back for the phone, the location was still catching up.
This app is terribly slow on wifi and basically useless with cell service. I have an android and used this on my sailboat. It is unable to refresh fast enough for depth changes and hazards. I gave it a few months to see if it would improve but it hasn't. The lag isn't just with updating location, all of the features have a lag of a minute or more. Like changing the map settings or setting locations. It is really frustrating. Would not recommend downloading, plenty of other free apps out there.
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