# Waterway Guide vs BridgeClear Mobile

The clearest difference is update cadence: BridgeClear Mobile at daily against Waterway Guide's every 2 weeks. BridgeClear Mobile also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.7). Waterway Guide's advantage is ratings volume (2.9K vs 7). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Waterway Guide sells 43 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per year and BridgeClear Mobile sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $3.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

BridgeClear Mobile holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Waterway Guide has 2.9K ratings behind it against 7, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Waterway Guide ships an update every 2 weeks, BridgeClear Mobile daily. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Waterway Guide | BridgeClear Mobile |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (2.9K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/waterway-guide/id1551794976/reviews) | **[5.0 (7 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bridgeclear-mobile/id6802128262/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **2.9K** | 7 |
| Positive reviews | 52.4% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | **Daily** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Size | 52 MB | 5 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.6** | 17.4 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Waterway Guide](https://appshunter.io/developer/958617198) | [WILLIAM DANIEL PRINCE](https://appshunter.io/developer/6801221170) |

## What reviewers say

### 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


### BridgeClear Mobile

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bridgeclear-mobile/id6802128262)

Provides real-time vertical clearance data for bridges on US waterways, essential for towboat pilots. Offers live gauge stages, tidal currents, and navigation aids. A subscription unlocks premium features for enhanced safety and planning.

**Highlights:** Live vertical bridge clearance, Real-time NOAA gauge stages, Tidal current data, Movable-bridge open-position readings, AIS vessel tracking, NOAA nautical chart navigation, Voyage planning with ETA

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| BridgeClear Monthly | $3.99 | per month |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Waterway Guide free?

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

### Is BridgeClear Mobile free?

BridgeClear Mobile is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Waterway Guide or BridgeClear Mobile?

BridgeClear Mobile is rated higher. Waterway Guide averages 4.7 out of 5 from 2.9K ratings, while BridgeClear Mobile averages 5.0 from 7 ratings.

### Do Waterway Guide or BridgeClear Mobile have ads?

Neither Waterway Guide nor BridgeClear Mobile shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Waterway Guide or BridgeClear Mobile?

Waterway Guide ships an update every 2 weeks, and BridgeClear Mobile daily. Most recently, Waterway Guide was updated on October 29, 2026 and BridgeClear Mobile on October 25, 2026.

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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.*