Comparison

WaterNav vs Canals.UK

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

Head to head
About

WaterNav

This app provides offline waterway maps and navigation tools, displaying points of interest, locks, bridges, and closures. It offers route planning with customizable journey times and speed, and includes special features for River Canal Rescue members.

Highlights
  • Offline map access
  • Real-time GPS location tracking
  • Points of interest display
  • Waterway information (locks, bridges, closures)
  • Route planning with customizable options
  • Exclusive RCR member features
Features
Read full description

WaterNav is unique in that it has been developed so that you can access all date even without an active internet connection. (It works offline once the maps are downloaded) It monitors you location using the phones inbuilt GPS, giving your precise location on the map. The maps display thousands of continually updated points of interest (such as pubs, shops, vets, diesel, moorings, etc), as well as all the waterway information such as locks, bridges, turning points, etc, and canal closures. It is the essential towpath companions for boaters, ramblers, cyclists, or anyone else enjoying the waterways. The route planning options and enhanced options are available once you create an account (no charges or obligations) and with options of picking location, searching for a location or using your own current position it provides lots of flexibility. You can also chose journey times, lock delays and speed. River Canal Rescue members will automatically be granted access to a special RCR interface that will offer exclusive features. RCR members will be able to access their membership details, see their RCR history, log callouts, book services, and request additional works. They will also be able to utilise a new arrival aid system which will allow them to track their engineer in real time. The WaterNav App is in ongoing development (our inhouse developers will respond to all requests or issues - just remember it can take time to get issues updated). There are new updates and development of new features and we are resolving issues continually. ( so make sure you regularly update, and let us know if we can make things easier for you)

About

Canals.UK

This app is a comprehensive guide for navigating over 2,000 miles of UK canals. It provides detailed information on locks, bridges, facilities, and points of interest for boaters and walkers. An optional upgrade offers advanced features like route planning and boat tracking.

Highlights
  • 2000+ miles of UK canals mapped
  • Locks, bridges, and facilities information
  • Mile markers and linear canal diagrams
  • Canal & River Trust notices
  • Boat details and tracking
  • Route planning and points of interest
Read full description

Canals.UK is a useful companion for anyone who uses the canals; boating or walking! Navigate the 2,000 miles of UK canals. The App shows locks, bridges, aqueducts, tunnels, mooring and facilities and much more, along our canal network. The FREE version includes: • All the UK canals mapped with locks, bridges and facilities. • Shows: Mile markers, Boatyards, CRT Notices, Fish & Chips, Launderettes, Canal side Pubs, local convenience stores. • A list of all canals in a useful linear diagram which will show you where you are on a specific canal and update your location if tracking is on. • Canal & River Trust Notices of any navigation restrictions. • Useful phone numbers and links to websites. • My Boat - keep relevant details about your boat. • Get estimated boat speed, location and sunrise/sunset times. • Notifications Upgrade ‘Go Pro’ with in-App purchase includes: • Nearby: find useful points or interest that are near your current location • Daily Boat Log to record any diary details to show you are a continuous boater! • Create your own Points of Interest (POI) and plot them on the map e.g. your favourite mooring spots, where to pick blackberries or favourite pub. • Canal Rings: shows the major canal rings that you can journey along. • Route Planner: plan a canal route and get an estimate of how long it will take. • Boat Tracker - track your boat position even when the App is not running (obviously the iPhone/iPad needs to be on). • TV Aerial Finder - find the location of the best reception from nearby Freeview TV masts • Show All CRT Notices on the Map • Show GOV.UK Stream Levels on the Map • Show CRT Stream Warnings on the Map • Show CRT Winter Moorings

Screenshots

WaterNav4 screens
Canals.UK4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Canals.UK at 65% against WaterNav's 13%. Canals.UK also leads on rating (4.8 vs 3.2) and ratings volume (53 vs 6). WaterNav's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 6). On price, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Canals.UK sells 6 one-off in-app purchases. WaterNav asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Canals.UK holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Canals.UK has 53 ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 13% of WaterNav's written reviews are positive against 65% of Canals.UK's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

WaterNav ships an update fortnightly, Canals.UK weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 19, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
WaterNav versus Canals.UK: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterWaterNavCanals.UK
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.2 (6 ratings)4.8 (53 ratings) — better
Positive reviews12.9% of reviews65.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings653 — better
Update frequencyFortnightlyWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size74 MB53 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRiver Canal RescueMARK MANSER

Customer experience

WaterNav

All ratings6 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews62 reviews
Positive12.9%
Neutral21.0%
Negative66.1%

Canals.UK

All ratings53 ratings
Positive92.5%
Neutral5.7%
Negative1.9%
Written reviews49 reviews
Positive65.3%
Neutral14.3%
Negative20.4%

Bugs and requests

WaterNav

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Canals.UK

Reported bugs

32 issues
  • Saved plans glitching
  • Route planner dropdown won't drop down
  • Search bar won't search
  • Location not working
  • Purchasing Pro problems
Show 27 more
  • Boat tracking feature not activating
  • Demo mode persistent
  • Pro features not showing
  • Odd distances when planning
  • CRT notices unreliable
  • Distance calculation errors
  • Paid for Pro twice, no access
  • Basic version has little content
  • Missing Crinan Canal data
  • Missing wide beam/dimension data
  • Missing water points data
  • No way to report missing data
  • Missing River Great Ouse navigation
  • Difficult to change destinations
  • Expensive for features offered
  • Not a substitute for Nicholson's Guide
  • Route planner basic without detailed waypoints
  • No obvious way to save/export
  • POI addition unintuitive
  • No help facility
  • Menu flags Pro modules as restricted
  • Internet connection needed
  • Not ideal for solo boaters
  • Can't reach 'locate me' arrow easily
  • No info on Pro option benefits
  • No 'report an error' option
  • Not accurate, needs work

Requested features

20 requests
  • Add 'via' points to journey plans
  • Option to choose shortest/quickest routes
  • Add a speed display
  • More logical and relevant logging feature
  • Better background map
Show 15 more
  • Filter CRT notices by current location
  • Show CRT notices on the map
  • Tap two or more points for info (distance, locks)
  • Search canal list for specific locks/bridges
  • Route planning option
  • Select start and end points for the day
  • Start navigation mode to track progress
  • Ability for boaters to add notes (issues, helpful info)
  • Move 'locate me' arrow to bottom corner
  • Editable map with 'report an error' option
  • Enter start and end points by name in Route Planning
  • User adjustable boat speeds and lock operating speeds
  • Route planning to pick up relevant CRT notices
  • Include width, length, depth, and height information
  • Alert developers to missing/wrong information feature

In-app purchases

None

WaterNav

No in-app purchases

6 purchases

Canals.UK

One-time6
  • Small Tip$0.99
  • Medium Tip$1.99
  • Large Tip$4.99
Show 3 more
  • Generous Tip$9.99
  • Go Pro$17.99
  • Enormous Tip$19.99

Questions

Is WaterNav free?
WaterNav is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Canals.UK free?
Canals.UK is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, WaterNav or Canals.UK?
Canals.UK is rated higher. WaterNav averages 3.2 out of 5 from 6 ratings, while Canals.UK averages 4.8 from 53 ratings.
Do WaterNav or Canals.UK have ads?
Neither WaterNav nor Canals.UK shows ads.
Which is updated more often, WaterNav or Canals.UK?
WaterNav ships an update fortnightly, and Canals.UK weekly. Most recently, WaterNav was updated on September 19, 2026 and Canals.UK on September 21, 2026.

Other comparisons