# Argo Navigation vs Waterway Guide

Argo Navigation and Waterway Guide both sit at 4.9 stars, but that hides the real split: 85% of Argo Navigation's written reviews are positive against 52% of Waterway Guide's. Argo Navigation also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs every 2 weeks) and chart position (#103 vs unranked). On price, rating, ratings volume and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Argo Navigation sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and Waterway Guide sells 43 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Argo Navigation holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 6.2K and 2.9K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 85% of Argo Navigation's written reviews are positive against 52% of Waterway Guide's.

Argo Navigation ships an update every 4 days, Waterway Guide every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on November 3, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Argo Navigation | Waterway Guide |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.9 (6.2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/argo-navigation-boat-gps-map/id1463869636/reviews)** | [4.7 (2.9K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/waterway-guide/id1551794976/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **6.2K** | 2.9K |
| Positive reviews | **84.6% of reviews** | 52.4% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 4 days** | Every 2 weeks |
| Monetization | Freemium | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#103** | — |
| Size | 139 MB | 52 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.1** | 16.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [ARGO TECHNOLOGIES, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1463869635) | [Waterway Guide](https://appshunter.io/developer/958617198) |

## What reviewers say

### Argo Navigation

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/argo-navigation-boat-gps-map/id1463869636)

**Currently charting:** #103 Top Grossing · Navigation (US App Store)

This free marine navigation app provides NOAA charts, depth surveys, and points of interest for US waters. It allows users to plot routes, share locations, and access community-reported hazards. Premium features offer advanced routing, weather forecasts, and tide predictions.

**Highlights:** NOAA charts and USACE depth surveys, 500,000+ marinas, anchorages, and fuel docks, Community-reported hazards, Route plotting with ETA and fuel use, Live location sharing, Offline chart downloads, Marine weather and tides

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

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Canada Charts | $2.99 | per month |
| Argo Premium Monthly | $6.99 | per month |
| Argo Canada Charts | $9.99 | per year |
| Argo Premium | $39.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 🚀 Accurate navigation
- 💡 Helpful social features
- 🔋 Good battery life
- 🔒 Reliable app performance

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional app crashes
- 🗺️ Limited map coverage in some areas
- 🔍 Difficulty finding certain locations

**Reported bugs**

- Login/account creation issues
- Slow map loading times

**Requested features**

- Improved offline map capabilities
- Integration with marine weather data
- Enhanced route planning tools


### Waterway Guide

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

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 Argo Navigation free?

Argo Navigation is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Waterway Guide free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Argo Navigation or Waterway Guide?

Argo Navigation is rated higher. Argo Navigation averages 4.9 out of 5 from 6.2K ratings, while Waterway Guide averages 4.7 from 2.9K ratings.

### Do Argo Navigation or Waterway Guide have ads?

Neither Argo Navigation nor Waterway Guide shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Argo Navigation or Waterway Guide?

Argo Navigation ships an update every 4 days, and Waterway Guide every 2 weeks. Most recently, Argo Navigation was updated on November 3, 2026 and Waterway Guide on November 3, 2026.

---

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