Comparison

WaterNav vs Canal Maps

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

Canal Maps

Features
Read full description

Canal Maps is an offline-first navigation app for the UK's inland waterways. Browse detailed maps of major canals and navigable rivers, find points of interest along your route, and keep your bearings — with or without a mobile signal. Features: • Detailed maps of UK canals and navigable rings including the Avon Ring, Cheshire Ring, and more • Points of interest: locks, bridges, pubs, wharves, marinas, services, and visitor moorings • Photos for canal points of interest • Search for specific points of interest by name • Canal traders and fuel boats near your route • My Places: save your own private points of interest with custom icons • Your GPS position shown live on the map — all data processed on-device, never transmitted • Works offline after initial data download Whether you're planning a narrowboat holiday or already on the water, Canal Maps keeps the information you need close at hand.

Screenshots

WaterNav4 screens
Canal Maps4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: WaterNav at 15 against Canal Maps's 17.0. 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

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 19, 2026 and September 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
WaterNav versus Canal Maps: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterWaterNavCanal Maps
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.2 (6 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews12.9% of reviews—
Number of ratings6 — better—
Update frequencyFortnightlyFortnightly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size74 MB55 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRiver Canal RescueDAVID ANTHONY FLOYD

In-app purchases

None

WaterNav

No in-app purchases

None

Canal Maps

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is WaterNav free?
WaterNav is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Canal Maps free?
Canal Maps is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do WaterNav or Canal Maps have ads?
Neither WaterNav nor Canal Maps shows ads.
Which is updated more often, WaterNav or Canal Maps?
WaterNav ships an update fortnightly, and Canal Maps fortnightly. Most recently, WaterNav was updated on September 19, 2026 and Canal Maps on September 6, 2026.

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