Stentec Software
Stentec Software is a Dutch company that develops WinGPS maritime navigation software, DKW digital nautical charts, and sailing/motorboat simulators for recreational boaters and inland commercial shipping operators across Europe.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1983
- HeadquartersHeeg, Netherlands
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingSoftware
What Stentec Software does
Stentec Software BV is a Dutch maritime technology company founded in 1983 and headquartered in Heeg, Netherlands. The company develops and sells the WinGPS navigation software platform (available across Windows, Android, iOS, and smart wearables), the proprietary DKW series of digital nautical charts covering European inland and coastal waters, and Sail Simulator 5 and Motorboat Simulator PC simulation products. WinGPS combines GPS positioning, route planning with bridge/lock and waterway measurement handling, GRIB weather file integration, AIS vessel display, and instrument connectivity via NMEA 0183, NMEA 2000, and SeaTalk protocols.
The business operates on a mixed revenue model combining one-time software licenses (WinGPS tiers priced up to €419), one-time digital chart purchases (DKW packages from €129.90), an annual Premium Subscription bundle for updates and support, one-time simulator downloads, and unit hardware sales (GPS receivers, AIS transponders priced up to €1,414, NMEA multiplexers, and accessories). Distribution is direct-to-consumer through the Stentec online shop (in English, Dutch, and German) and a physical store in Heeg, supplemented by a network of authorized WinGPS dealers and installers across Europe. Chart content is sourced via partnerships with the Dutch Hydrographic Office, Rijkswaterstaat, Imray, Delius Klasing, and NV-Verlag, and complementary hardware is sourced from Shipmodul, Weatherdock, and GNS Electronics.
Stentec serves primarily recreational water sports enthusiasts (sailors, motorboat owners, inland waterway hobbyists) and, secondarily, professional inland shipping skippers. The company is privately held with no disclosed external funding, employs 11-50 people, and is currently investing in a 2025-2028 TrackPilot semi-autonomous navigation project and recurring subscription monetization.
Stentec Software firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Stentec Software
- Legal name
- Stentec Software BV
- Website
- https://stentec.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1983
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Stentec Software is a Dutch company that develops WinGPS maritime navigation software, DKW digital nautical charts, and sailing/motorboat simulators for recreational boaters and inland commercial shipping operators across Europe.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Stentec Software industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Maritime Navigation Software
- NAICS
- Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511)
- SIC
- Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Marine Sensors, Instrumentation & IoT (Condition Monitoring) (IMAJAJAI)
Keywords
Where Stentec Software is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Heeg
- HQ country
- Netherlands
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Stentec Software business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Software Licenses (Navigation): One-time purchase or subscription license for WinGPS navigation software across Windows, Android, and iOS platforms. Includes tiered versions: Lite, Navigator, Pro, Voyager for Windows; Marine Lite and Marine Plus for mobile.
- Digital Charts (DKW Series): Sale of digital nautical chart packages covering inland waters (Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France, Danube) and coastal waters (North Sea, Baltic, UK). Charts are sold as one-time purchases or via subscription (e.g., DKW Netherlands subscription for Android).
- Premium Service Subscription: Premium Subscription 2026 provides WinGPS 6, all updates, exclusive discounts, and premium helpdesk support. Subscription model providing recurring revenue and customer retention.
- Simulation Software: Sale of Sail Simulator 5 (Deluxe, standard, and add-on boatsets) and Motorboat Simulator as one-time download purchases.
- Marine Hardware: Sale of complementary hardware including GPS receivers, AIS transponders, NMEA multiplexers, USB accessories, and backup USB sticks pre-loaded with software and charts.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | WinGPS 6 Lite |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | WinGPS 6 Navigator |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | WinGPS 6 Pro |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | WinGPS 6 Voyager |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | WinGPS Marine Lite (Android/iOS) |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | WinGPS Marine Plus (Android/iOS) |
| Subscription | Annual | Premium Subscription 2026 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | DKW Chart Packages |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Sail Simulator 5 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Motorboat Simulator 1.2 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | AIS, GPS, and Multiplexer Hardware |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
Stentec Software product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Stentec Software develops and sells WinGPS, an on-board maritime navigation software platform for Windows, Android, and iOS that integrates GPS positioning, route planning, weather forecasts (GRIB), and onboard instrument data via NMEA 0183/2000 and SeaTalk. The company also produces the DKW proprietary series of digital nautical charts covering European inland waters and coastal areas, plus Sail Simulator 5 and Motorboat Simulator PC-based simulation software, and complementary hardware such as GPS receivers, AIS transponders, and NMEA multiplexers.
Product overview
Stentec Software is a Dutch maritime navigation technology company that develops WinGPS, the most advanced maritime route planner available for laptop, board PC, tablet, and smartphone. The product portfolio is organized around three core pillars: (1) WinGPS navigation software — available in four tiers (Lite, Navigator, Pro, Voyager) across Windows, Android, and iOS platforms; (2) DKW digital chart series — covering Dutch, Belgian, German, French, Danube, and coastal waters across multiple formats (DKW own-brand charts, Imray, Delius Klasing, NV-Verlag); and (3) Sail Simulator and Motorboat Simulator — realistic PC-based simulation software for sailing and motorboating, with add-on packs and the Scenery Designer toolkit. These three pillars are complemented by a hardware accessories line (GPS receivers, AIS transponders, NMEA multiplexers, cables, USB accessories) and a Premium Subscription service providing annual software updates, chart updates, discounts, and premium support. The company also has an active semi-autonomous navigation project (TrackPilot, 2025–2028) targeting yachts and inland commercial shipping.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- WinGPS: Maritime navigation software for Windows, Android, and iOS devices
- DKW Charts
- Sail Simulator
- Motorboat Simulator
- TrackPilot
Products and services
- WinGPS 6 Maritime Navigation Software Stentec's flagship on-board maritime navigation software for Windows PCs. Combines digital DKW charts with GPS positioning, route planning that accounts for ship dimensions and bridge/lock/waterway restrictions, GRIB weather forecasts, AIS visibility, NMEA 0183/2000 instrument integration, and autopilot control. Offered in Lite, Navigator, Pro, and Voyager tiers targeted at recreational and commercial inland/coastal skippers.
- WinGPS Marine Mobile Navigation App Navigation application for Android smartphones, tablets, iPhone, and iPad that displays current GPS position on DKW charts, plots routes respecting ship dimensions and waterway clearances, and integrates with onboard instruments via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.
- TrackPilot Semi-Autonomous Navigation Expansion Kit Expansion kit for WinGPS 6 that converts an existing autopilot on a yacht or inland shipping vessel into a smart trackpilot capable of following a planned route semi-autonomously.
- Premium Subscription Service Annual subscription that bundles the latest WinGPS edition, all software updates, exclusive discounts on DKW charts and accessories, and premium helpdesk support (including WhatsApp support) for WinGPS users.
- DKW Digital Nautical Chart Series Proprietary digital nautical chart packages covering European inland and coastal waters, sold as individual region packages (DKW The Netherlands, Belgium, Northern France, Southern France, German regions, Rhine & Moselle, Danube 1/2/3, DKW 1800/1600+ coastal series, DKW UK, German Bight, German Baltic) and produced in collaboration with official hydrographic publishers.
- Sail Simulator 5 PC-based sailing simulation software with realistic aerodynamics including wind shear and twist, a true-to-nature wave field, a multiplayer server for long-distance regattas, 17 boat types, and 5 sailing areas. Runs on Windows XP through Windows 11 and requires DirectX 9.0.
- Motorboat Simulator 1.2 PC-based motorboat simulation software for learning maneuvering and racing, with multiplayer capability via internet or local network, multiple motorboat types including a 10m motor cruiser, runabout, launch, tugboat, double-screw 15m cruiser, and a KNRM rescue boat with twin jet propulsion.
- GPS Receivers (BU-353N5 and GNS 3000) USB and Bluetooth GPS receivers (BU-353N5 USB receiver and GNS 3000 Bluetooth GPS/GLONASS receiver) compatible with WinGPS on Windows PCs, tablets, and smartphones for position data and route logging.
- EasyTRX3S AIS Class B Transponders Weatherdock EasyTRX3S Series AIS Class B transponders with NMEA2000/0183, Wi-Fi, USB, LAN, and IDVBT options, integrated GPS receiver, and built-in VHF splitter. Sold by Stentec as complementary hardware for WinGPS navigation setups for vessel visibility and collision avoidance.
- Shipmodul MiniPlex NMEA Multiplexers Shipmodul MiniPlex-3 series NMEA 0183 and NMEA 2000 multiplexers (MiniPlex-3E, MiniPlex-3USB, MiniPlex-3Wi, MiniPlex-BUF and N2K variants) with SeaTalk conversion and USB/Wi-Fi/LAN connectivity. Distributed by Stentec for routing and integrating data from multiple onboard instruments into WinGPS.
- WinGPS 6 Inland (Commercial Shipping Edition) WinGPS 6 variant tailored for commercial inland shipping, including dedicated features for professional skippers operating on European inland waterways, updated ENC data, and inland waterway regulatory support.
Quantifiable outcome
- 35+ years of continuous operation and product development in maritime navigation software
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Stentec Software
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Stentec Software technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration18 records
Feature5 records
Stentec Software partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Dutch Hydrographic OfficecoreCollaboration with the Dutch Hydrographic Office for the production of DKW nautical charts, ensuring official hydrographic data quality and authority for Dutch waters.
- RijkswaterstaatcoreCollaboration with Rijkswaterstaat (Dutch Directorate-General for Public Works and Water Management) for authoritative inland waterway data used in DKW charts.
- ImraycoreStentec produces DKW-format digital versions of Imray nautical charts, providing Imray's international coastal chart coverage within the WinGPS platform.
- Delius KlasingcoreStentec produces DKW-format digital versions of Delius Klasing nautical charts, including DKW 1600+ coastal series and various European coastal chart packages.
- NV-VerlagcoreNV-Verlag nautical charts are available in DKW format and as integrated ENC data for WinGPS 6 Windows, providing additional European coastal and inland chart coverage.
- ShipmodulcoreStentec distributes Shipmodul's MiniPlex series of NMEA multiplexers (MiniPlex-3E, MiniPlex-3USB, MiniPlex-3Wi in standard and N2K variants, and MiniPlex-BUF) as complementary hardware for WinGPS navigation setups.
- Weatherdock AGcoreStentec distributes Weatherdock's EasyTRX series AIS transponders (EasyTRX3S models with NMEA2000, WiFi, USB, LAN, and IDVBT options) and related accessories as complementary hardware for WinGPS.
- GNS ElectronicsminorStentec distributes GNS Electronics' GNS 3000 Bluetooth GPS receiver, a wireless positioning solution compatible with iPhone, iPad, Windows, and Android devices for WinGPS navigation.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Stentec Software competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Garmin Marine: Garmin is the dominant provider of marine GPS chartplotters and integrated navigation systems. Comparable as a broad marine electronics incumbent whose chartplotter ecosystem (with Navionics content) competes with WinGPS/DKW for the same recreational boater wallet, albeit via hardware-first sales motion.
- Raymarine: Raymarine (FLIR/Teledyne) is a major marine electronics brand producing chartplotters, radar, AIS, and instrument displays. Comparable to Stentec as a marine electronics ecosystem where Raymarine's displays integrate with charts and NMEA networks overlapping with WinGPS's integration scope.
Emerging players
- Polar Navy (Sailfast): Polar Navy provides sailing navigation and routing software for PC and mobile, with a focus on polar and offshore passages. Comparable as a niche marine navigation software competitor, particularly relevant for Stentec's Voyager tier targeting offshore and racing sailors.
- PredictWind: PredictWind provides marine weather forecasting, weather routing, and GRIB file services for sailors and racers. Partially overlapping with WinGPS's GRIB weather file integration feature, though PredictWind specializes in weather routing rather than full navigation system delivery.
- OpenCPN: OpenCPN is an open-source chart plotter and navigation software for PCs, popular with cruising sailors. Comparable to WinGPS as a free, community-developed marine navigation alternative, posing a price-based competitive threat particularly for budget-conscious recreational boaters.
Direct peers
- C-MAP: C-MAP is a global marine chart provider serving recreational and commercial mariners with vector and raster charts. Comparable to Stentec as a chart content provider integrated with navigation software, though at much larger global scale and primarily focused on coastal waters.
- Navionics (Garmin): Navionics, acquired by Garmin, is a leading provider of marine navigation charts and the Boating app. Directly comparable to Stentec as a digital nautical chart and route-planning provider for recreational boaters, though it focuses on coastal and open-water navigation rather than Stentec's inland waterway specialization.
- iNavX: iNavX is a marine navigation app for iOS that supports multiple chart providers and NMEA instrument integration. Directly comparable to WinGPS Marine as a mobile marine navigation app with multi-chart support, though iNavX focuses on the Apple ecosystem rather than cross-platform delivery.
- TIMEZERO (Nobeltec / MaxSea): TIMEZERO (formerly MaxSea and Nobeltec) provides professional marine navigation software with chart plotting, route planning, and radar/ECS integration. Directly comparable to WinGPS Pro/Voyager as a tiered marine PC navigation software product targeting both recreational and professional mariners.
Others
- MarineTraffic: MarineTraffic operates a global AIS vessel tracking platform and is adjacent to Stentec's AIS integration capabilities. Comparable ecosystem participant rather than direct competitor, sharing AIS-based vessel visibility use cases though delivered via web/mobile tracking rather than onboard navigation.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Stentec Software social profiles
Digital presenceStentec Software financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Stentec Software leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Stentec Software funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Stentec Software M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Stentec Software
What does Stentec Software do?
Stentec Software develops and sells WinGPS, an on-board maritime navigation software platform for Windows, Android, and iOS that integrates GPS positioning, route planning, weather forecasts (GRIB), and onboard instrument data via NMEA 0183/2000 and SeaTalk. The company also produces the DKW proprietary series of digital nautical charts covering European inland waters and coastal areas, plus Sail Simulator 5 and Motorboat Simulator PC-based simulation software, and complementary hardware such as GPS receivers, AIS transponders, and NMEA multiplexers.
Is Stentec Software a public or private company?
Stentec Software is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Stentec Software founded?
Stentec Software was founded in 1983. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Stentec Software based?
Stentec Software is headquartered in Heeg, Netherlands, in the Europe region.
How does Stentec Software make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Software Licenses (Navigation) is the primary driver. The others are digital Charts (DKW Series), premium Service Subscription, simulation Software and marine Hardware.
Who are Stentec Software's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Garmin Marine and Raymarine. Emerging players are Polar Navy (Sailfast), PredictWind and OpenCPN. Direct peers are C-MAP, Navionics (Garmin), iNavX and TIMEZERO (Nobeltec / MaxSea). MarineTraffic is listed as an others.
Does Stentec Software have an API?
No public API is recorded for Stentec Software.
What industry is Stentec Software in?
Stentec Software's product category is Maritime Navigation Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAJAJAI, Marine Sensors, Instrumentation & IoT (Condition Monitoring). Its NAICS code is 334511 and its SIC code is 3823.