Comparison

FEMA vs CoastWarn

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

Head to head
About

FEMA

This app provides essential tools and information for disaster preparedness, safety, and recovery. Receive real-time alerts, access guidance on emergency plans and kits, and find information on disaster assistance.

Highlights
  • Real-time weather and emergency alerts
  • Disaster preparedness guidance
  • Actionable safety advice
  • Disaster recovery assistance information
  • Location-based alerts
  • Accessibility features
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

The official FEMA mobile app provides essential tools and information to help you prepare for, stay safe during, and recover from disasters. Empower yourself and your loved ones with critical resources at your fingertips. Key Features: - Timely and Relevant Alerts: Receive real-time weather and emergency alerts from the National Weather Service (NWS) and Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS), tailored to your specified locations (up to five), utilizing zip code precision. Stay informed about potential hazards affecting the areas you care about. - Comprehensive Preparedness Guidance: Access clear, concise information on how to prepare for various disasters. Learn how to develop a family emergency communication plan and build an effective emergency kit. - Actionable Safety Advice: Understand immediate steps to take to protect yourself and your family during different types of emergencies. - Disaster Recovery Assistance: Find answers to frequently asked questions about the disaster assistance process and locate FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers nearby. - Accessibility Focused: Designed with accessibility in mind, the app is compatible with screen reader technology and adheres to federal accessibility standards. Be proactive in ensuing your safety and resilience. Download the official FEMA App today to access vital information and resources when you need them most. It’s a free and essential tool for every individual and family. If you have any questions, comments or ideas, we’d love to hear them. Contact us at fema-app@fema.dhs.gov. Important: Tornado alerts are a moving target using polygon tracking for accuracy. Real-time tornado alerts based on your current location are not currently offered in the FEMA app.

About

CoastWarn

Receive timely alerts for coastal flooding based on your custom water-level thresholds. Monitor NOAA data, get tide charts, and stay informed about potential flood events affecting your property or boat.

Highlights
  • Customizable flood alert thresholds
  • NOAA water-level monitoring
  • Tide charts and predictions
  • Flood expected notifications
  • Alert history
  • Station map search
Features
Read full description

CoastWarn monitors official NOAA water-level data and alerts you when observed levels reach the threshold you set. If you live, work, or keep a boat on the coast, you know the drill: nuisance flooding that soaks your car, a dock line that needs more slack, a driveway that disappears at high tide. CoastWarn helps you keep track of the water levels that matter to you. HOW IT WORKS - Find a supported NOAA station using your ZIP code or the station map. - Set the water-level threshold that matters to your property or boat. - Receive flood alerts and all-clear notifications, with current readings and trends. - See “Flood Expected” notices when supported regional forecasts predict your threshold will be reached. BUILT FOR COASTAL REALITY - Official NOAA CO-OPS water-level observations and tide predictions. - Adjustable alert thresholds at eligible stations. - Time-sensitive notifications for minor-or-higher flood alerts, subject to your iPhone’s notification settings. - Tide charts and regional model projections where available. - Alert history, monitoring status, and notices when monitoring is interrupted. WHO IT’S FOR Waterfront homeowners · boaters and marina tenants · coastal businesses · anyone who lives with a rising tide TRY IT FREE CoastWarn is free for 7 days. Continue with CoastWarn Pro Lifetime: a single $19.99 purchase that unlocks the app’s features with no subscription or renewal. No user account required. Restore Purchases is available in Settings. Data, forecasts, and alert monitoring vary by station. Alert delivery depends on current data, connectivity, notification permissions, and iOS scheduling. CoastWarn supplements official warnings; always follow National Weather Service guidance and local emergency instructions.

Screenshots

FEMA4 screens
CoastWarn4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: CoastWarn at 5.0 against FEMA's 3.7. CoastWarn also leads on update cadence (every 6 days vs every 2 months). FEMA's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ratings volume (1K vs 1). On price 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. CoastWarn sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. FEMA asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

CoastWarn holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: FEMA has 1K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

FEMA ships an update every 2 months, CoastWarn every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
FEMA versus CoastWarn: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFEMACoastWarn
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.7 (1K ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews69.1% of reviews—
Number of ratings1K — better1
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 6 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#30 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS14.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size18 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFederal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)Ryan Dean

Customer experience

FEMA

All ratings1,025 ratings
Positive62.8%
Neutral9.0%
Negative28.2%
Written reviews246 reviews
Positive69.1%
Neutral8.9%
Negative22.0%

CoastWarn

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

FEMA

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Alerts not showing up in the app
  • Locations being repeatedly deleted
  • Inability to add or update locations
  • Notification badge not clearing properly

Requested features

5 requests
  • Dark mode option
  • Customizable notification settings
  • Ability to view past/archived alerts
  • Integration with other weather/emergency apps
  • Improved mapping and location services

CoastWarn

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

FEMA

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

CoastWarn

One-time1
  • CoastWarn Lifetime Unlock$19.99

Questions

Is FEMA free?
FEMA is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is CoastWarn free?
CoastWarn is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, FEMA or CoastWarn?
CoastWarn is rated higher. FEMA averages 3.7 out of 5 from 1K ratings, while CoastWarn averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do FEMA or CoastWarn have ads?
Neither FEMA nor CoastWarn shows ads.
Which is updated more often, FEMA or CoastWarn?
FEMA ships an update every 2 months, and CoastWarn every 6 days. Most recently, FEMA was updated on October 13, 2026 and CoastWarn on October 3, 2026.

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