Comparison

SARLOC vs UK Waterways Map

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side β€” with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

SARLOC

This app helps you share your location with Search and Rescue teams, even without a data signal. If you have voice contact, you can relay your position. With a SARKey, you can directly share your location to their mapping systems.

Highlights
  • Location sharing without data signal
  • Voice communication relay
  • SARKey integration
  • Direct mapping system sharing
  • Offline location display
Features
Read full description

SARLOC was originally developed in 2009 by Russ Hore as a web application that allowed Search & Rescue (SAR) teams to locate you if you were unsure of your position. If you had a data signal, the SAR team could send you a message that allowed SARLOC to obtain your location and add it to the SAR teams mapping systems. Although it has been hugely successful, it does require a data signal to show you a location before it can be passed to the SAR teams. The SARLOC App will show you a location even if you do not have a data signal. If you are in voice communication with the SAR team you can tell them your location. If they provide you with a SARKey to enter into the App, you can share your location with them directly to their mapping systems. SARLOC is not a substitute for knowing how to navigate the outside world and it is essential that you learn proper navigation techniques before venturing into the wild. SARLOC requires you to be in contact with a SAR team before you can share your location with them. Starting SARLOC will not automatically notify anybody you require assistance.

About

UK Waterways Map

Features
Read full description

Your new indispensable guide to all major canal systems, rivers, and navigations in England, Wales and Scotland. Completely free with no ads or in-app purchases. KEY FEATURES Detailed maps of over 500 UK waterways Navigate all major canal systems, rivers, and navigations in England, Wales and Scotland. Annotate the map with the location of locks, weirs, access points and other features. Your map annotations are automatically saved and synced across all your devices. Measure the distance between any two points along a waterway. Get turn-by-turn directions using Apple Maps. PERFECT FOR BOATERS - Plan narrowboat holidays with precise canal routes and distance measurements. PADDLERS - Kayakers, canoeists, and paddleboarders can find and log access points, locks and weirs. ANGLERS - Find and log the best fishing spots. WALKERS & CYCLISTS - Follow towpaths with accurate distance measurements. SWIMMERS - Discover swimming spots and access points. ANYONE who wants to discover the hidden beauty of Britain's canal and river network.

Screenshots

SARLOC3 screens
UK Waterways Map4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: UK Waterways Map at weekly against SARLOC's every 8 months. SARLOC's advantage is iOS requirement (15.6 vs 26.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price Β· Rating Β· Positive reviews Β· Number of ratings Β· Update frequency Β· Ads Β· In-app purchases Β· Monetization Β· Best chart rank Β· Devices Β· Requires iOS

CostPrice Β· In-app purchases Β· Ads Β· Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SARLOC ships an update every 8 months, UK Waterways Map weekly. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences Β· 6 level
SARLOC versus UK Waterways Map: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSARLOCUK Waterways Map
PriceFreeFree
Positive reviews100.0% of reviewsβ€”
Update frequencyEvery 8 monthsWeekly β€” better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeβ€”
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod β€” betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.6 β€” better26.0
Further details β€” not scored
Size1 MB4 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRussell HoreJack Finnis

In-app purchases

None

SARLOC

No in-app purchases

None

UK Waterways Map

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SARLOC free?
SARLOC is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is UK Waterways Map free?
UK Waterways Map is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do SARLOC or UK Waterways Map have ads?
Neither SARLOC nor UK Waterways Map shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SARLOC or UK Waterways Map?
SARLOC ships an update every 8 months, and UK Waterways Map weekly. Most recently, SARLOC was updated on November 2, 2026 and UK Waterways Map on October 30, 2026.

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