Comparison

Poole's Cavern vs Canal Maps

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

Head to head
About

Poole's Cavern

Features
Read full description

Nestled in the heart of the Peak District, Poole’s Cavern is a must-visit destination for nature enthusiasts, history buffs, and adventure seekers alike. Known as one of the finest show caves in Derbyshire, this historic landmark in Buxton offers a unique glimpse into the region’s geological wonders and ancient past! The Poole’s Cavern and Buxton Country Park app features an interactive audio tour of the cave system, highlighting both the geological features and evidence of human activity which a visitor will discover. The app also provides general visitor information, woodland routes and highlights the conservation work of the Buxton Civic Association. The app is a perfect companion to learn more about the fascinating history of Poole’s Cavern. You do not need to be in the caverns to access the app content, just click on the different sections in the app. However, when you are in the cavern you will be able to tap your phone against NFC tags positioned on wayfinding boards and this will take you directly to relevant content in the app. The app is GPS-enabled. This feature is used to show you relevant content based on your location as you follow trails in Buxton Country Park. The app also optionally uses Location Services to determine your location when the app is running in the background. It will trigger notifications when you are close to a location of interest. However, as with all apps that use location, please note that continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life.

About

Canal Maps

Features
Read full description

Canal Maps is an offline-first navigation app for the UK's inland waterways. Browse detailed maps of major canals and navigable rivers, find points of interest along your route, and keep your bearings — with or without a mobile signal. Features: • Detailed maps of UK canals and navigable rings including the Avon Ring, Cheshire Ring, and more • Points of interest: locks, bridges, pubs, wharves, marinas, services, and visitor moorings • Photos for canal points of interest • Search for specific points of interest by name • Canal traders and fuel boats near your route • My Places: save your own private points of interest with custom icons • Your GPS position shown live on the map — all data processed on-device, never transmitted • Works offline after initial data download Whether you're planning a narrowboat holiday or already on the water, Canal Maps keeps the information you need close at hand.

Screenshots

Poole's Cavern4 screens
Canal Maps4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Canal Maps at fortnightly against Poole's Cavern's every 6 months. Poole's Cavern's advantage is iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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

Poole's Cavern ships an update every 6 months, Canal Maps fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 28, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 4 level
Poole's Cavern versus Canal Maps: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPoole's CavernCanal Maps
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 6 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size87 MB55 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLlama DigitalDAVID ANTHONY FLOYD

In-app purchases

None

Poole's Cavern

No in-app purchases

None

Canal Maps

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Poole's Cavern free?
Poole's Cavern is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Canal Maps free?
Canal Maps is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Poole's Cavern or Canal Maps have ads?
Neither Poole's Cavern nor Canal Maps shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Poole's Cavern or Canal Maps?
Poole's Cavern ships an update every 6 months, and Canal Maps fortnightly. Most recently, Poole's Cavern was updated on October 28, 2026 and Canal Maps on October 24, 2026.

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