Postboxes vs iStreams Channel Islands
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Postboxes
Locate nearby postboxes and post offices across the UK using your phone's GPS. The app utilizes OpenStreetMap data and allows users to contribute updates for missing or incorrect information. Filter results to see only postboxes, post offices, or both.
- Locate nearby postboxes and post offices
- Uses GPS for accurate positioning
- Leverages OpenStreetMap data
- Allows user contributions for data updates
- Filter by postboxes, post offices, or both
- Map clustering for better visualization
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Postbox Finder UK helps you locate nearby postboxes and post offices in the UK using the GPS built into your phone. The coverage is extensive although there are postboxes that are not currently included in the app. If you do find missing postboxes, then please help by registering at https://openstreetmap.org and creating or updating incorrect information. Once the update is confirmed at OpenStreetMap, you will be able to use the refresh button in the app to download the updates. We are now using OpenStreetMap at the data source for the postbox and post office location information, “© OpenStreetMap contributors”. The data is available under the Open Database Licence. https://www.openstreetmap.org/copyright There is a whole new interface to the app that allows you to request data updates from OpenStreetMap within 16km of the centre of the map, you can now use toggles in the top menu to allow you to filter to only see postboxes, post offices or both. There is new clustering functionality in the map interface so that you can better see the information on the map, and a new circular radius overlay that helps you see clearly the area that you are currently viewing postbox data within, since we cannot place all 400,000+ data items on the map at once. If you are having issues with the application then please contact the support email address and we will try our best to resolve the problem
iStreams Channel Islands
This app provides real-time Channel Islands tidal stream data, functioning offline. It offers tools for measuring tide set and rate, and calculating Course to Steer. Plan your voyages with hourly charts and precise navigational information.
- Hourly tidal stream atlas
- Offline functionality
- Tide set and rate measurement
- Course to Steer calculation
- Local and UTC time options
- Boat position display on chart
- Zoomable charts
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iStreams gives you instant access to the Channel Islands tidal stream atlas, aligned to the current time using High Water at Dover — even when you're offline. Whether you're sailing, navigating coastal waters, or passage planning, iStreams helps you understand tidal flow quickly and accurately. Key Features: Real-time tidal stream charts Automatically displays the correct hourly chart based on the nearest Dover High Water time. Fully offline functionality (forecast link requires a connection) No signal? No problem. All charts and tools work without internet access. Automatic chart updates As time progresses, the app switches to the next valid tidal period. Swipe forward and backward through tidal hours with ease. Pinch to zoom and drag to explore details. Toggle between Local Time and UTC. Show boat position on the chart Navigation Tools: Interpolated Rate Calculator * Instantly calculate stream rate between neaps and springs. Tidal Set Tool (In-App Purchase) * Measure the true direction of tidal stream arrows with precision. Course to Steer (CTS) (In-App Purchase) * Calculate the correct heading to maintain your intended course. How It Works: iStreams automatically selects the nearest High Water at Dover and displays the corresponding tidal stream chart. Want to plan ahead or review earlier conditions? Simply swipe forward or backward through the tidal hours to view past or future data. Why Choose iStreams? Designed for sailors, navigators, and coastal users Fast, clear, and easy-to-use interface Accurate tidal streams
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Postboxes at none against iStreams Channel Islands's 7. Postboxes also leads on update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 3 months) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 18.2). iStreams Channel Islands's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, review sentiment, monetization model and 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
Both are free to download. iStreams Channel Islands sells 7 one-off in-app purchases. Postboxes asks for nothing beyond the download.
Postboxes ships an update every 5 weeks, iStreams Channel Islands every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 28, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Postboxes | iStreams Channel Islands |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 2.0 (1 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 44.0% of reviews | 50.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 1 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks — better | Every 3 months |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 18.2 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 141 MB | 56 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Software101 | Navtech Software |
Customer experience
Postboxes
iStreams Channel Islands
In-app purchases
Postboxes
No in-app purchases
iStreams Channel Islands
- Unlock Set tool$1.99
- Dover Tides 2018$2.99
- Dover Tides 2019$2.99
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- 6 Month Subscription$2.99
- 1 Month Subscription$2.99
- Unlock CTS tool$3.99
- 1 Year Subscription$5.99







