Memory vs Canals.UK
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Memory
Transform your device into an outdoor GPS or marine chart plotter with detailed offline maps. Track your location even without a signal, plan routes on your computer, and analyze your adventures. Trusted by professionals for various outdoor activities.
- Offline Topo and Marine Charts
- GPS Location Tracking
- Route Planning & Measurement
- GPX File Import/Export
- Tracklog Recording & Analysis
- NMEA/AIS Instrument Connectivity
- Coordinate System Support
Read full descriptionHide full description
Turn your iPhone or iPad into an outdoor GPS or marine chart plotter, with the detailed Topo maps or NOAA marine charts needed for your activity. Maps are stored on the device for offline use, when you don't have any network connection. The GPS will show your location even where you have no mobile phone signal. The app can be used standalone, but the maps and overlay data may also be used on your home PC or Mac for planning, and for printing maps on paper. Then upload everything to your phone or tablet and enjoy navigating outdoors with high quality maps. When you get home you can transfer your tracklog and points of interest back onto your computer, to see where you actually went, analyze your speed and elevation profile, and so on. Whether you are fishing, paddling, backpacking, mountain biking or sailing, enjoy your time in the wilderness with Memory-Map. We have been developing mobile navigation apps since year 2000, and our products are trusted by mountain rescue teams, police and coast guard stations around the world. Features: + Fast scrolling and zooming + Import and export GPX files + Screen lock to prevent accidental screen touches while recording a track + Shows speed and direction of travel, even while walking slowly + Support for GPS and Compass sensors, where available. + Placename index, works offline + Moving map, lock GPS position and automatically scroll the map + Records tracklogs with app running in the background + Create and edit marks, which may be linked to a web URL + Plan routes, measure distance and bearings + Routes snap to roads or trails, optimized for walking, cycling, or driving + Shows Altitude + Lat/Long, UTM, British National Grid and MGRS coordinate systems + Share position marks or tracklogs with other apps using GPX files + Connect to NMEA instruments and AIS via a WiFi gateway + AIS collision alarms, Anchor alarms and proximity alarms use notifications. Battery Use Disclaimer: "Continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life."
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.
- 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 descriptionHide 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 • Cruise mode to show nearest point, next location, time and distance to next mooring, lock, bridge, waterpoint, winding hole; current speed and GPS location
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: Canals.UK at weekly against Memory's every 2 months. Canals.UK also leads on rating (4.7 vs 4.5). Memory's advantage is iOS requirement (11.4 vs 16.0). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume and ads 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. Memory sells 16 one-off in-app purchases and Canals.UK sells 6 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Canals.UK holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 52 and 55 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 64% and 65% positive.
Memory ships an update every 2 months, Canals.UK weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Memory | Canals.UK |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.5 (52 ratings) | 4.7 (55 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 64.3% of reviews | 65.3% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 52 | 55 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Weekly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 11.4 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 5 MB | 53 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Memory-Map | MARK MANSER |
Customer experience
Memory
Canals.UK
User reviews
Memory
From 52 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Excellent for navigation
- 👍 Reliable and dependable
- 💡 Detailed topographic and marine charts
- 🗺️ Offline map access
- 🗺️ Whole country maps available
Room to improve
- 🐛 Occasional crashes and freezes
- 🔍 Complicated licensing and map management system
- 💰 Expensive map purchases
- 🤖 Limited functionality on iOS compared to PC version
- 🗺️ Some maps are outdated
Canals.UK
From 55 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Go-to app for canal needs
- 👍 Excellent features for planning
- 👍 Simple to use interface
- 👍 Pro upgrade well worth it
- 👍 Helpful for estimating travel time
Room to improve
- 👎 Paid version needed for planning
- 👎 Unreliable CRT notice information
- 👎 Saved plans glitching
- 👎 Distance calculation errors
- 👎 Pro version not activating
Bugs and requests
Memory
Reported bugs
3 issues- Tracking stops when app is in background
- Map sections disappear after device upgrades
- Unresponsive UI elements on newer iOS devices
Requested features
6 requests- Automatic map updates
- Easier map licensing and management across devices
- Improved route planning and tracking features
- Compass and heading orientation
- Apple CarPlay integration
Show 1 moreShow fewer
- Ability to share routes and tracks
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 moreShow fewer
- 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 moreShow fewer
- 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
Memory
- USGS Topo NY$9.99
- USGS Topo AK$9.99
- USGS Topo Atlantic$9.99
Show 13 moreShow fewer
- USGS Topo CA$9.99
- USGS Topo New England$9.99
- USGS Topo TX$9.99
- USGS Topo WA$9.99
- USGS Topo WV$9.99
- USGS Topo AZ$9.99
- USGS Topo WY$9.99
- USGS Topo FL$9.99
- USGS Topo GA$9.99
- Import 3rd Party maps$12.99
- DeLorme Topo Map CA$19.99
- DeLorme Topo Map ME$19.99
- Professional Features$49.99
Canals.UK
- Small Tip$0.99
- Medium Tip$1.99
- Large Tip$4.99
Show 3 moreShow fewer
- Generous Tip$9.99
- Go Pro$17.99
- Enormous Tip$19.99









