WaterNav vs Canal Map Narrow View
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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)
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.
- UK canal and river mapping
- Community contributions
- Modern navigation interface
- Waterway route discovery
- Enthusiast community
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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
Verdict
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
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.
WaterNav ships an update fortnightly, Canal Map Narrow View weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | WaterNav | Canal Map Narrow View |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.2 (6 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 12.9% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 6 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | Weekly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 74 MB | 7 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | River Canal Rescue | Thomas Fell |
Customer experience
WaterNav
Canal Map Narrow View
In-app purchases
WaterNav
No in-app purchases
Canal Map Narrow View
- NarrowView Supporter$2.991 Month







