# Waterway Guide vs Helm Boating

The clearest difference is ads: Waterway Guide at none against Helm Boating's shown. Waterway Guide also leads on iOS requirement (16.6 vs 18.0). Helm Boating's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 2 weeks). On price, in-app purchases, chart position and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Waterway Guide sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $14.99 per year and Helm Boating sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $19.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Waterway Guide ships an update every 2 weeks, Helm Boating weekly. The most recent releases landed on November 11, 2026 and November 10, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Waterway Guide | Helm Boating |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (2.9K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/waterway-guide/id1551794976/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **2.9K** | — |
| Positive reviews | 52.4% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Best chart rank | **#137** | #186 |
| Size | 52 MB | 72 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.6** | 18.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Waterway Guide](https://appshunter.io/developer/958617198) | [LOOP MOBILE FZCO](https://appshunter.io/developer/1741140077) |

## What reviewers say

### Waterway Guide

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

**Currently charting:** #137 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 (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Great Lakes Vol.2 Ch.8 | $14.99 | per year |
| Anchorages Along the ICW | $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 |
| Western Gulf Coast Edition | $54.99 | per year |
| Florida Keys Edition | $54.99 | 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


### Helm Boating

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/helm-boating-gps-chart-and-map/id6803616810)

**Currently charting:** #186 Top Grossing · Navigation (US App Store)

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

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium | $19.99 | per month |
| Premium | $99.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Waterway Guide free?

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

### Is Helm Boating free?

Helm Boating is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do Waterway Guide or Helm Boating have ads?

Helm Boating shows ads; Waterway Guide does not.

### Which is updated more often, Waterway Guide or Helm Boating?

Waterway Guide ships an update every 2 weeks, and Helm Boating weekly. Most recently, Waterway Guide was updated on November 11, 2026 and Helm Boating on November 10, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Waterway Guide or Helm Boating?

Waterway Guide currently peaks at #137 in the App Store charts, and Helm Boating at #186. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

---

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