# Manatee Alert vs KnowWake

The clearest difference is rating: KnowWake at 4.1 against Manatee Alert's 2.3. KnowWake also leads on ratings volume (250 vs 11) and update cadence (every 11 days vs monthly). Manatee Alert's advantage is iOS requirement (7.0 vs 13.0). On price, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

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

KnowWake holds the better App Store score, 4.1 against 2.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: KnowWake has 250 ratings behind it against 11, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 57% of Manatee Alert's written reviews are positive against 55% of KnowWake's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Manatee Alert ships an update monthly, KnowWake every 11 days. The most recent releases landed on September 28, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Manatee Alert | KnowWake |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.3 (11 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/manatee-alert/id654462272/reviews) | **[4.1 (250 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/knowwake/id688017646/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 11 | **250** |
| Positive reviews | **57.1% of reviews** | 55.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Every 11 days** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 38 MB | 123 MB |
| Requires iOS | **7.0** | 13.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Conserve.IO](https://appshunter.io/developer/651453353) | [Application Generation, Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/571709068) |

## What reviewers say

### Manatee Alert

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/manatee-alert/id654462272)

This app provides real-time manatee protection and speed zone information for Florida waterways. It alerts boaters to restrictions and allows users to report manatee sightings to authorities. The goal is to help protect these animals and preserve the environment.

**Highlights:** Manatee protection and speed zone display, Real-time safety and conservation messages, Submit manatee sightings to agencies, Information on effective dates and times, Awareness of waterway restrictions

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### KnowWake

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/knowwake/id688017646)

This marine navigation platform offers detailed waterway information for numerous global locations. Discover waterfront destinations, access real-time community reports on hazards and marine life, and utilize advanced navigation features for a safer and more informed boating experience.

**Highlights:** Waterfront destinations, Real-time waterway reports, Wake zone indicators, Marine weather forecasts, Anchor alarm, Location sharing, Offline mode

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🗺️ Comprehensive wake zone and speed restriction information
- 👍 User-friendly and intuitive interface
- 🆓 Free app with valuable features
- 📍 Accurate location data for marinas, restaurants, and fuel docks
- 🚤 Essential tool for boaters and water sports enthusiasts

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and freezing issues
- ⏱️ App becomes unstable after 30 seconds of use
- 🔌 Constant stability problems across multiple iOS versions
- ❌ Routing functionality frequently fails
- 🗺️ Limited coverage for certain regions (Great Lakes, some Florida lakes)

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes immediately upon opening
- App freezes after 30 seconds of use
- Login/registration fails or times out indefinitely
- Routing returns error messages and crashes
- Tapping on location icons does nothing or crashes app

**Requested features**

- Improved stability and crash prevention
- Course-up/heading-up map orientation option
- Depth layer integration for navigation safety
- NOAA raster charts availability
- Better routing algorithm with estimated time and distance


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Manatee Alert free?

Manatee Alert is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is KnowWake free?

KnowWake is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Manatee Alert or KnowWake?

KnowWake is rated higher. Manatee Alert averages 2.3 out of 5 from 11 ratings, while KnowWake averages 4.1 from 250 ratings.

### Do Manatee Alert or KnowWake have ads?

Neither Manatee Alert nor KnowWake shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Manatee Alert or KnowWake?

Manatee Alert ships an update monthly, and KnowWake every 11 days. Most recently, Manatee Alert was updated on September 28, 2026 and KnowWake on October 13, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*