Float vs Riverways
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side β with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Track mooring locations
- Log journey stops
- Calculate miles covered
- Set current location as Home
- Secure data saving
- Export travel data
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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.
Riverways
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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
Verdict
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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Float ships an update monthly, Riverways every 11 days. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Float | Riverways |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Positive reviews | 75.0% of reviews | β |
| Update frequency | Monthly | Every 11 days β better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | β |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone, iPad β better |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 16.4 β better |
| Further details β not scored | ||
| Size | 19 MB | 63 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | ALESSANDRO BORELLI | VesselDigital Technologies LTD |
In-app purchases
Float
No in-app purchases
Riverways
No in-app purchases







