Comparison

WaterNav vs UK Waterways Map

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

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

WaterNav4 screens
UK Waterways Map4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: WaterNav at 15 against UK Waterways Map's 26.0. On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

WaterNav ships an update fortnightly, UK Waterways Map weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
WaterNav versus UK Waterways Map: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterWaterNavUK Waterways Map
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.2 (6 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews12.9% of reviews—
Number of ratings6 — better—
Update frequencyFortnightlyWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size74 MB4 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRiver Canal RescueJack Finnis

In-app purchases

None

WaterNav

No in-app purchases

None

UK Waterways Map

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is WaterNav free?
WaterNav 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 WaterNav or UK Waterways Map have ads?
Neither WaterNav nor UK Waterways Map shows ads.
Which is updated more often, WaterNav or UK Waterways Map?
WaterNav ships an update fortnightly, and UK Waterways Map weekly. Most recently, WaterNav was updated on October 25, 2026 and UK Waterways Map on October 30, 2026.

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