FloodWatch vs Red Tide Map
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
FloodWatch
Monitor real-time river and flood data across the United States. Track river height, discharge, precipitation, and water temperature with data from USGS and NWS. Ideal for property owners, outdoor enthusiasts, and anyone needing flood awareness.
- Real-time river data
- Historical trends and graphs
- Favorites list for gauges
- Nationwide US coverage
- Flood awareness alerts
- Recreation water condition checks
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Whether you live near a river, enjoy kayaking or fishing, or simply want to stay informed about potential flooding, FloodWatch keeps you connected to the latest conditions across the United States. Powered by data from the US Geological Survey (USGS) and National Weather Service (NWS), FloodWatch helps you monitor rivers and streams with precision and confidence. Key Features • Real-Time River Data – Track current river height, discharge, precipitation, and water temperature from thousands of USGS gauges nationwide. • Historical Trends & Graphs – Visualize how river levels, streamflow, rainfall, and temperature change over time. • Favorites List – Save your most important gauges for instant access to the latest readings. • Nationwide Coverage – Explore data for rivers and streams throughout the U.S., including flood-stage information from NWS. • Flood Awareness – Keep watch on flood-prone areas and monitor rising waters before they become a threat. • Great for Recreation – Check water conditions before heading out to fish, paddle, or swim. Only USGS gauges with real-time data capabilities are included, so you’ll always get the most accurate and up-to-date information available. Whether you’re safeguarding your property, planning your next river trip, or simply fascinated by hydrology, FloodWatch gives you the insight to stay prepared when water levels change.
Red Tide Map
Provides a map of recent harmful algal bloom measurements for Florida's coast. Data is sourced from NOAA and updated within the app. No registration is needed to view current conditions.
- Harmful algal bloom map
- Florida coastal coverage
- NOAA data source
- Recent measurements
- No registration required
- In-app data update
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Get a map with recent red tide (harmful algal bloom) measurements for Florida coastal areas. No registration or login required. Data source: NOAA National Coastal Data Development Center Measurements are derived from field samples that are individually collected. Tap "update" in the app to get the most recent data available from NOAA. The current version of this app covers the state of Florida only.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: FloodWatch at Free against Red Tide Map's $8.99. FloodWatch also leads on rating (4.7 vs 3.0) and review sentiment (58% vs 25%). Red Tide Map's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 5) and ads (none vs shown). On device support 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
FloodWatch is free to download; Red Tide Map costs $8.99 up front. FloodWatch sells 5 one-off in-app purchases. Red Tide Map asks for nothing beyond the download.
FloodWatch holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: FloodWatch has 314 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 58% of FloodWatch's written reviews are positive against 25% of Red Tide Map's.
FloodWatch ships an update every 2 months, Red Tide Map monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | FloodWatch | Red Tide Map |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $8.99 |
| Rating | 4.7 (314 ratings) — better | 3.0 (2 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 57.6% of reviews — better | 25.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 314 — better | 2 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Monthly — better |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases — better | Paid |
| Best chart rank | — | #185 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 26.0 | 16.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 13 MB | 17 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Brian Deshong | Qvyshift LLC |
Customer experience
FloodWatch
Red Tide Map
Bugs and requests
FloodWatch
Reported bugs
19 issues- App crashes on opening
- App crashes when updating levels
- App crashes when scrolling through favorites
- App crashes a lot
- App kicks out when viewing favorites
Show 14 moreShow fewer
- Map keeps returning to current location
- Layout changed, not preferred
- Does not work since September 11
- Update didn't resolve problem
- App kicks out when trying to access
- New update made nothing work
- Interface not intuitive
- Gauges not appearing on map initially
- Full page ads impede navigation
- App doesn't work at all
- No data or functions
- Inaccurate and missing major points
- App crashes on initial launch
- App crashes when trying to scroll thru favorites
Requested features
21 requests- Add alerts for flood stage
- Add Lock Screen widgets
- Add search bar for gauges
- Add CFS readings
- Add alerts for flow rate
Show 16 moreShow fewer
- Add historical data query
- Add data extractor to email
- Add link to data source website
- Add more information on the gage itself
- Add average conditions or trends
- Add push notifications
- Add ability to email charts
- Add automatic surfing to USGS website
- Add flood level for each river
- Add ability to send push notification for flooding potential
- Add discharge data
- Add complications for watch faces
- Add ability to remove ALL ads
- Add a "tell friends" function
- Add more sensors to pop up
- Add ability to get notified when water reaches a certain level in a certain area
Red Tide Map
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
FloodWatch
- Tip Level 1$0.99
- Tip Level 2$2.99
- Tip Level 3$5.99
Show 2 moreShow fewer
- Ad Removal$8.99
- Tip Level 4$9.99
Red Tide Map
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is FloodWatch free?
Is Red Tide Map free?
Which has better reviews, FloodWatch or Red Tide Map?
Do FloodWatch or Red Tide Map have ads?
Which is updated more often, FloodWatch or Red Tide Map?
Other comparisons
