# WakeWatch vs Waterway Guide

The clearest difference is price: Waterway Guide at Free against WakeWatch's $1.99. Waterway Guide also leads on rating (4.7 vs 2.2) and ratings volume (2.9K vs 10). WakeWatch's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 43). On ads, chart position, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Waterway Guide is free to download; WakeWatch costs $1.99 up front. Waterway Guide sells 43 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per year. WakeWatch asks for nothing beyond the download.

Waterway Guide holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 2.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Waterway Guide has 2.9K ratings behind it against 10, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 29% of WakeWatch's written reviews are positive against 52% of Waterway Guide's.

WakeWatch ships an update every 2 months, Waterway Guide every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 27, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | WakeWatch | Waterway Guide |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $1.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [2.2 (10 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/wakewatch/id1061101684/reviews) | **[4.7 (2.9K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/waterway-guide/id1551794976/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 10 | **2.9K** |
| Positive reviews | 28.6% of reviews | **52.4% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Best chart rank | **#106** | #185 |
| Size | 16 MB | 52 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.0** | 16.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Daniel Munson](https://appshunter.io/developer/1057945839) | [Waterway Guide](https://appshunter.io/developer/958617198) |

## What reviewers say

### WakeWatch

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/wakewatch/id1061101684)

**Currently charting:** #106 Top Paid · Navigation (US App Store)

This app provides crucial boating information, including no-wake zones, speed limits, and bridge schedules. It uses GPS to alert you to upcoming hazards and features NOAA charts as a base map for enhanced navigation.

**Highlights:** No wake zone maps, Boating speed limit maps, Bridge heights and opening schedules, GPS location tracking, NOAA chart base maps, Tide station information, Coastal waters forecasts

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### Waterway Guide

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/waterway-guide/id1551794976)

**Currently charting:** #185 Top Grossing · Navigation (US App Store)

This app provides a comprehensive boating resource with a verified database of marinas, anchorages, and navigation alerts. Users can access real-time hazard information, plan trips with a digital handbook, and utilize detailed content optimized for mobile devices. Engage with a community of boaters through comments and reviews.

**Highlights:** Verified points of interest database, Real-time navigation alerts, Community comments and reviews, Skipper's Handbook for trip planning, Offline content access, Marina filtering by amenities

**Features:** Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (43)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Chesapeake Bay Ch.3 | $4.99 | per year |
| Atlantic ICW Ch.2 | $4.99 | per year |
| Atlantic ICW Ch.6 | $4.99 | per year |
| Southern Ch.6 | $4.99 | per year |
| Southern Bridges & Locks | $4.99 | per year |
| Bahamas Cruising Guide | $4.99 | per year |
| Florida Keys Ch.3 | $4.99 | per year |
| Gulf IWW Ch.4 | $4.99 | per year |
| Atlantic ICW Ch.10 | $4.99 | per year |
| Gulf IWW Ch.1 | $4.99 | per year |
| Western Gulf Coast Ch.4 | $4.99 | per year |
| Atlantic ICW Ch.4 | $4.99 | per year |
| Southern Ch.4 | $4.99 | per year |
| Western Gulf Coast Ch.3 | $4.99 | per year |
| Atlantic ICW East Coast Inlets | $4.99 | per year |
| Northern Ch.12 | $4.99 | per year |
| Great Lakes Vol.2 Ch.7 | $4.99 | per year |
| Northern Ch.11 | $4.99 | per year |
| Great Lakes Vol.1 Ch.7 | $4.99 | per year |
| Atlantic ICW Ch.9 | $4.99 | per year |
| Great Lakes Vol.1 Ch.2 | $4.99 | per year |
| Northern Ch.1 | $14.99 | per year |
| Great Lakes Vol.2 Ch.8 | $14.99 | per year |
| Great Lakes Vol.2 Ch.6 | $14.99 | per year |
| Southern Ch.13 | $14.99 | per year |
| Southern Ch.10 | $14.99 | per year |
| Southern Ch.12 | $14.99 | per year |
| Southern Ch.3 | $14.99 | per year |
| Southern Ch.11 | $14.99 | per year |
| Anchorages Along the ICW | $20.99 | per year |
| Bahamas Bound | $20.99 | per year |
| ICW Cruising Guide by Bob423 | $29.99 | per year |
| Northern Edition | $49.99 | per year |
| 1st Ed. Bahamas Land and Sea | $49.99 | per year |
| Chesapeake Bay Edition | $54.99 | per year |
| Atlantic ICW Edition | $54.99 | per year |
| Southern Edition | $54.99 | per year |
| Bahamas Edition | $54.99 | per year |
| Western Gulf Coast Edition | $54.99 | per year |
| Florida Keys Edition | $54.99 | per year |
| Great Lakes Volume 1 Edition | $54.99 | per year |
| Great Lakes Volume 2 Edition | $54.99 | per year |
| Cuba Edition | $59.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Excellent integration with Aqua Map
- 👍 Useful resource for boating
- 👍 Great information and details
- 👍 Easy to use and navigate
- 👍 Invaluable for planning trips

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Buggy and crashes frequently
- 🐛 Inconsistent and unreliable
- 🐛 Difficult to navigate and use
- 🐛 Outdated information and images
- 🐛 Subscription and access issues

**Reported bugs**

- App not working with latest iOS version
- Subscription purchases not working properly
- Unable to access purchased content
- Frequent crashes and errors

**Requested features**

- Provide vertical bridge clearances
- Improve offline functionality
- Enhance search and filtering options
- Implement dark mode


## Frequently asked questions

### Is WakeWatch free?

WakeWatch costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Waterway Guide free?

Waterway Guide is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, WakeWatch or Waterway Guide?

Waterway Guide is rated higher. WakeWatch averages 2.2 out of 5 from 10 ratings, while Waterway Guide averages 4.7 from 2.9K ratings.

### Do WakeWatch or Waterway Guide have ads?

Neither WakeWatch nor Waterway Guide shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, WakeWatch or Waterway Guide?

WakeWatch ships an update every 2 months, and Waterway Guide every 2 weeks. Most recently, WakeWatch was updated on October 29, 2026 and Waterway Guide on October 27, 2026.

### Which is more popular, WakeWatch or Waterway Guide?

WakeWatch currently peaks at #106 in the App Store charts, and Waterway Guide at #185. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*