Comparison

Connected Waterways vs iNaturalist

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

Head to head
About

Connected Waterways

Features
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Connected waterways allows citizens, using virtual monitoring stations, to learn more about waterways, get involved in their monitoring and contribute to science. The data collected will make it possible to better document the state of health of waterways and their ecosystems in a context of climate change. Using simple steps, including taking a photo, several items are assessed at each station: • Ice cover • The water level • The state of the riparian strips • The stability of the banks • The biodiversity • Degradation caused by humans • Abnormal observations The data is then compiled into an open database that scientists can search, helping them in their research. It is possible to create your own monitoring station, near your home or in a place you frequent often. You can also document an already existing station. Is your watercourse important to you? Us too! Download the app now and explore your favorite rivers! Education and Water Monitoring Action Group (EWAG) By pioneering a visionary and innovative philosophy of participation and citizen engagement for the health and monitoring of waterways, the Education and Water Monitoring Action Group (EWAG) has created a community-based movement that has operated in the field of water for over 30 years. With a network of more than 80 committed partners with roots in Quebec, the EWAG focuses on current socio-environmental issues, including adaptation to climate change and environmental education in order to create programs that are making a difference, one river at a time. Financial partners The Connected Waterways application is part of Monitoring rivers: adapting for the future, which receives financial assistance from the Government of Quebec under the Action-Climat Quebec program and meets the objectives of the Plan for a green 2030. The RBC Foundation has also financially supported the development of this application. Credits Photo credits are inserted in the Settings / About section. Badge Image Credits: Climate change expert : https://www.flaticon.com/free-icons/temperature Biodiversity : https://www.flaticon.com/free-icons/pollen Summer : https://www.flaticon.com/free-icons/sun Fall : https://www.flaticon.com/free-icons/autumn Winter : https://www.flaticon.com/free-icons/snowfall Water treatment : https://www.flaticon.com/free-icons/waste-plastic Water expert : https://www.flaticon.com/free-icons/water Great connoisseur : https://www.flaticon.com/free-icons/education Citizen science : https://www.flaticon.com/free-icons/researcher Watercourses : https://www.flaticon.com/free-icons/landscape Vigilance : https://www.flaticon.com/free-icons/security-guard Spring : https://www.flaticon.com/free-icons/sprouts Beginner : https://www.flaticon.com/free-icons/zoom Confirmed : https://www.flaticon.com/free-icons/student Sentinel : https://www.flaticon.com/free-icons/look Insider : https://www.flaticon.com/free-icons/university Habitat : https://www.flaticon.com/free-icons/river Environment : https://www.flaticon.com/free-icons/eco

About

iNaturalist

Identify plants, animals, and fungi using your camera or imported photos. Get AI-powered species suggestions and connect with a global community of nature enthusiasts to learn more about the natural world and contribute to scientific conservation efforts.

Highlights
  • AI species identification
  • Record species observations
  • Contribute to scientific data
  • Explore biodiversity
  • Connect with nature enthusiasts
Currently charting
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Your photos of plants, animals, fungi, and more can help protect nature all around the world. iNaturalist is free, nonprofit, and community-powered. iNaturalist helps millions of people learn about and document the nature around them. Point your camera at plants, animals, and fungi to get instant identification suggestions, then share your photos or sound recordings as an "observation." Then, see your observation get reviewed by a global community of knowledgeable nature-lovers to turn it into a useful data point for science and conservation efforts. Your everyday moments of curiosity can directly contribute to protecting nature, and you don't need any previous experience or knowledge to get started. iNaturalist is a mission-driven nonprofit dedicated to connecting people to nature and advancing biodiversity science and conservation, and is freely available thanks to the generous support of our community. KEY FEATURES • Identify species from anywhere in the world • Contribute to science by sharing your observations • Keep a record of species you see • Explore and protect biodiversity • Connect with and learn from other nature enthusiasts

Screenshots

Connected Waterways4 screens
iNaturalist4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is chart position: iNaturalist at #104 against Connected Waterways's unranked. On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Connected Waterways ships an update every 3 weeks, iNaturalist fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 10 level
Connected Waterways versus iNaturalist: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterConnected WaterwaysiNaturalist
PriceFreeFree
Rating—4.1 (719 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—48.6% of reviews
Number of ratings—719 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
Monetization—Free
Best chart rank—#104 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS15.115.1
Further details — not scored
Size120 MB220 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperCentre en imagerie numerique et medias interactifsiNaturalist

Bugs and requests

Connected Waterways

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

iNaturalist

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • App freezes when suggesting IDs on audio clips
  • Inconsistent tap responsiveness in search menu
  • Observation time not accurately filling based on upload time
  • Map showing incorrect observation locations
  • Crashes and performance issues on some devices

Requested features

5 requests
  • Ability to type in address/coordinates for location
  • Option to add observations to projects during upload
  • Batch editing/uploading of observations
  • More precise search filters (e.g. aquatic, parasitic, migratory)
  • Bring back colored observation markers on map

In-app purchases

None

Connected Waterways

No in-app purchases

None

iNaturalist

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Connected Waterways free?
Connected Waterways is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is iNaturalist free?
iNaturalist is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Connected Waterways or iNaturalist have ads?
Neither Connected Waterways nor iNaturalist shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Connected Waterways or iNaturalist?
Connected Waterways ships an update every 3 weeks, and iNaturalist fortnightly. Most recently, Connected Waterways was updated on November 3, 2026 and iNaturalist on November 4, 2026.

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