# KnowWake vs WakeWatch

The clearest difference is price: KnowWake at Free against WakeWatch's $1.99. KnowWake also leads on rating (4.1 vs 2.2) and review sentiment (55% vs 29%). WakeWatch's advantage is chart position (#73 vs unranked). On ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

KnowWake is free to download; WakeWatch costs $1.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

KnowWake holds the better App Store score, 4.1 against 2.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: KnowWake has 250 ratings behind it against 10, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 55% of KnowWake's written reviews are positive against 29% of WakeWatch's.

KnowWake ships an update every 11 days, WakeWatch every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | KnowWake | WakeWatch |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $1.99 |
| Rating | **[4.1 (250 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/knowwake/id688017646/reviews)** | [2.2 (10 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/wakewatch/id1061101684/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **250** | 10 |
| Positive reviews | **55.3% of reviews** | 28.6% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 11 days** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | **Free** | Paid |
| Best chart rank | — | **#73** |
| Size | 123 MB | 16 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Application Generation, Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/571709068) | [Daniel Munson](https://appshunter.io/developer/1057945839) |

## What reviewers say

### 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


### WakeWatch

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/wakewatch/id1061101684)

**Currently charting:** #73 Top Paid · Navigation (US App Store)

This app provides crucial boating information, including no-wake zones, speed limits, and bridge schedules. It uses GPS to alert you to upcoming hazards and features NOAA charts as a base map for enhanced navigation.

**Highlights:** No wake zone maps, Boating speed limit maps, Bridge heights and opening schedules, GPS location tracking, NOAA chart base maps, Tide station information, Coastal waters forecasts

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is KnowWake free?

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

### Is WakeWatch free?

WakeWatch costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, KnowWake or WakeWatch?

KnowWake is rated higher. KnowWake averages 4.1 out of 5 from 250 ratings, while WakeWatch averages 2.2 from 10 ratings.

### Do KnowWake or WakeWatch have ads?

Neither KnowWake nor WakeWatch shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, KnowWake or WakeWatch?

KnowWake ships an update every 11 days, and WakeWatch every 2 months. Most recently, KnowWake was updated on September 24, 2026 and WakeWatch on September 21, 2026.

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