Comparison

Postboxes vs iStreams Channel Islands

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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

About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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

Postboxes4 screens
iStreams Channel Islands4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. iStreams Channel Islands sells 7 one-off in-app purchases. Postboxes asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

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.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Postboxes versus iStreams Channel Islands: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPostboxesiStreams Channel Islands
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews44.0% of reviews50.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeks — betterEvery 3 months
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better18.2
Further details — not scored
Size141 MB56 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSoftware101Navtech Software

Customer experience

Postboxes

All ratings1 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%
Written reviews25 reviews
Positive44.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative56.0%

iStreams Channel Islands

Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

In-app purchases

None

Postboxes

No in-app purchases

7 purchases

iStreams Channel Islands

One-time7
  • Unlock Set tool$1.99
  • Dover Tides 2018$2.99
  • Dover Tides 2019$2.99
Show 4 more
  • 6 Month Subscription$2.99
  • 1 Month Subscription$2.99
  • Unlock CTS tool$3.99
  • 1 Year Subscription$5.99

Questions

Is Postboxes free?
Postboxes is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is iStreams Channel Islands free?
iStreams Channel Islands is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Postboxes or iStreams Channel Islands have ads?
Postboxes shows ads; iStreams Channel Islands does not.
Which is updated more often, Postboxes or iStreams Channel Islands?
Postboxes ships an update every 5 weeks, and iStreams Channel Islands every 3 months. Most recently, Postboxes was updated on October 28, 2026 and iStreams Channel Islands on October 24, 2026.

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