Comparison

WaterNav vs Canal Map Narrow View

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 Map Narrow View

Navigate UK canals and rivers with this community-driven map. Discover routes, share information, and experience modern canal navigation. Join a growing network of waterway enthusiasts.

Highlights
  • UK canal and river mapping
  • Community contributions
  • Modern navigation interface
  • Waterway route discovery
  • Enthusiast community
Features
Read full description

Canal and River map for the UK featuring community contributions and features. Navigate the canal, the modern way. Join our community on our open canal navigation app built for the modern age. Terms of Use: https://narrowview.app/terms Privacy Policy: https://narrowview.app/privacy

Screenshots

WaterNav4 screens
Canal Map Narrow View4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Canal Map Narrow View at 100% against WaterNav's 13%. Canal Map Narrow View also leads on update cadence (weekly vs fortnightly). WaterNav's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. Canal Map Narrow View sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $2.99 per month. WaterNav asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

WaterNav ships an update fortnightly, Canal Map Narrow View weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
WaterNav versus Canal Map Narrow View: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterWaterNavCanal Map Narrow View
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.2 (6 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews12.9% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings6 — 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 MB7 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRiver Canal RescueThomas Fell

Customer experience

WaterNav

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

Canal Map Narrow View

Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

WaterNav

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Canal Map Narrow View

Subscriptions1
  • NarrowView Supporter$2.991 Month

Questions

Is WaterNav free?
WaterNav is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Canal Map Narrow View free?
Canal Map Narrow View is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do WaterNav or Canal Map Narrow View have ads?
Neither WaterNav nor Canal Map Narrow View shows ads.
Which is updated more often, WaterNav or Canal Map Narrow View?
WaterNav ships an update fortnightly, and Canal Map Narrow View weekly. Most recently, WaterNav was updated on October 25, 2026 and Canal Map Narrow View on October 29, 2026.

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