# Memory vs Canals.UK

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Memory | Canals.UK |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.5 (52 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/memory-map/id354675923/reviews) | **[4.7 (55 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/canalsuk/id1588058538/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 52 | **55** |
| Positive reviews | 64.3% of reviews | **65.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 5 MB | 53 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.4** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Memory-Map](https://appshunter.io/developer/349996087) | [MARK MANSER](https://appshunter.io/developer/1378563905) |

## What reviewers say

### Memory

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/memory-map/id354675923)

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.

**Highlights:** 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

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (16)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| USGS Topo NY | $9.99 | one-time |
| USGS Topo AK | $9.99 | one-time |
| USGS Topo Atlantic | $9.99 | one-time |
| USGS Topo CA | $9.99 | one-time |
| USGS Topo New England | $9.99 | one-time |
| USGS Topo TX | $9.99 | one-time |
| USGS Topo WA | $9.99 | one-time |
| USGS Topo WV | $9.99 | one-time |
| USGS Topo AZ | $9.99 | one-time |
| USGS Topo WY | $9.99 | one-time |
| USGS Topo FL | $9.99 | one-time |
| USGS Topo GA | $9.99 | one-time |
| Import 3rd Party maps | $12.99 | one-time |
| DeLorme Topo Map CA | $19.99 | one-time |
| DeLorme Topo Map ME | $19.99 | one-time |
| Professional Features | $49.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Excellent for navigation
- 👍 Reliable and dependable
- 💡 Detailed topographic and marine charts
- 🗺️ Offline map access
- 🗺️ Whole country maps available

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 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

**Reported bugs**

- Tracking stops when app is in background
- Map sections disappear after device upgrades
- Unresponsive UI elements on newer iOS devices

**Requested features**

- Automatic map updates
- Easier map licensing and management across devices
- Improved route planning and tracking features
- Compass and heading orientation
- Apple CarPlay integration


### Canals.UK

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/canalsuk/id1588058538)

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.

**Highlights:** 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

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Small Tip | $0.99 | one-time |
| Medium Tip | $1.99 | one-time |
| Large Tip | $4.99 | one-time |
| Generous Tip | $9.99 | one-time |
| Go Pro | $17.99 | one-time |
| Enormous Tip | $19.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Go-to app for canal needs
- 👍 Excellent features for planning
- 👍 Simple to use interface
- 👍 Pro upgrade well worth it
- 👍 Helpful for estimating travel time

**What reviewers complain about**

- 👎 Paid version needed for planning
- 👎 Unreliable CRT notice information
- 👎 Saved plans glitching
- 👎 Distance calculation errors
- 👎 Pro version not activating

**Reported bugs**

- Saved plans glitching
- Route planner dropdown won't drop down
- Search bar won't search
- Location not working
- Purchasing Pro problems

**Requested features**

- 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


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Memory free?

Memory is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Canals.UK free?

Canals.UK is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Memory or Canals.UK?

Canals.UK is rated higher. Memory averages 4.5 out of 5 from 52 ratings, while Canals.UK averages 4.7 from 55 ratings.

### Do Memory or Canals.UK have ads?

Neither Memory nor Canals.UK shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Memory or Canals.UK?

Memory ships an update every 2 months, and Canals.UK weekly. Most recently, Memory was updated on October 7, 2026 and Canals.UK on October 9, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*