Comparison

Float vs Riverways

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

Head to head
About

Float

Log your canal and river journeys with this open-source app. Track mooring locations, calculate miles traveled, and record your stops throughout the year. All data is securely saved and can be exported for proof of your travels.

Highlights
  • Track mooring locations
  • Log journey stops
  • Calculate miles covered
  • Set current location as Home
  • Secure data saving
  • Export travel data
Features
Read full description

Float is a free, open-source app for canal boaters. Track every mooring along your journey, see exactly how long you've been at your current spot, get notified before the 14-day CRT limit runs out, and keep an eye on waterway closures ahead. Built with continuous cruisers in mind. What you can do with Float β€’ See where you are and how long you've been there. The 14-day tracker shows days remaining at a glance β€” green when you have time, amber as you approach the limit, red when it's time to move. β€’ Get reminders before time runs out. Push notifications arrive 4, 2, 1, and 0 days before the 14-day deadline so you can plan your move calmly instead of in a rush. β€’ Log every mooring along the way. Each stop captures the date, GPS coordinates, name, and any notes you want to add β€” your full journey, on a map. β€’ Set a home mooring you can always navigate back to. β€’ Review your travels. Total miles covered, number of stops, and date ranges β€” useful as evidence of continuous cruising for CRT compliance. β€’ Use the map. Every mooring you've logged appears on the map, with dark mode for late-night planning. β€’ See waterway closures ahead. The Notices tab pulls CRT stoppages, restrictions and advisories directly into the app β€” filter to what's near you, on a live map, updated hourly. Privacy β€’ Your data is yours. Float stores your moorings in your own private account β€” no one else can see them. β€’ No ads. No tracking. No selling your location to anyone. β€’ Open source. Every line of code is public on GitHub. Built by boaters, for boaters.

About

Riverways

Read full description

Riverways is the all-in-one navigation app designed specifically for boaters on the UK's inland waterways. Whether you're planning a relaxing cruise or travelling to your next mooring, Riverways helps you find the safest and most efficient route with real-time information tailored to your vessel. Think of it as the navigation app for inland waterways. Currently supporting the Broads National Park, with additional waterways planned for future updates. Plan every journey by creating routes between destinations and receive accurate journey times, distances and estimated arrival times. Riverways takes your vessel into account, helping you avoid routes with bridges or waterways that aren't suitable for your boat. Navigate with confidence and follow clear turn-by-turn navigation designed for waterways instead of roads. Stay informed throughout your journey with important alerts and guidance along your route. Riverways combines essential boating information into a single easy-to-use app, including: Turn-by-turn waterway navigation Trip planning with journey times and distances Vessel-aware routing to avoid low bridges and inaccessible waterways Live bridge heights and average bridge clearance information Speedometer with local speed limit information Tidal information Current weather conditions Detailed mooring information Boat facilities and services Nearby points of interest Departure reminders to help you arrive on time Live hazard reporting Built for boaters Unlike traditional mapping apps, Riverways is designed specifically for inland waterways. From navigating tidal rivers to finding the right mooring, every feature has been created with boaters in mind. Whether you're exploring the Norfolk Broads for the first time or you're a regular visitor, Riverways helps make every journey safer, simpler and more enjoyable.

Screenshots

Float3 screens
Riverways4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Riverways at every 11 days against Float's monthly. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price Β· Rating Β· Positive reviews Β· Number of ratings Β· Update frequency Β· Ads Β· In-app purchases Β· Monetization Β· Best chart rank Β· Devices Β· Requires iOS

CostPrice Β· In-app purchases Β· Ads Β· Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Float ships an update monthly, Riverways every 11 days. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference Β· 7 level
Float versus Riverways: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFloatRiverways
PriceFreeFree
Positive reviews75.0% of reviewsβ€”
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 11 days β€” better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeβ€”
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad β€” better
Requires iOS17.016.4 β€” better
Further details β€” not scored
Size19 MB63 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperALESSANDRO BORELLIVesselDigital Technologies LTD

In-app purchases

None

Float

No in-app purchases

None

Riverways

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Float free?
Float is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Riverways free?
Riverways is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Float or Riverways have ads?
Neither Float nor Riverways shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Float or Riverways?
Float ships an update monthly, and Riverways every 11 days. Most recently, Float was updated on October 17, 2026 and Riverways on October 24, 2026.

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