Comparison

KnowWake vs Savvy Navvy

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

Head to head
About

KnowWake

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
Read full description

KnowWake is a FREE marine navigation platform packed with waterfront destinations in the United States, Canada, Caribbean, Mexico, South Africa, United Kingdom, parts of Europe, Arabian Peninsula and NOW all of Australia and New Zealand!! Salt and freshwater points of interest include 50,000+ VERIFIED: restaurants, marinas, fuel docks, yacht clubs, lodging, vessel services, dive shops, boat ramps, dive & snorkel areas, bridges, locks, popular spots, town docks, anchorages, inlets and more! KnowWake also uses real-time waterway reports from the community to see and share things like hazards, marine life, police and other important information. Features include: · Wake zones - Simplified, color-coded waterways · Marine Weather Suite - Current and forecasted marine conditions · NAVAIDS - Navigation Channel Markers, Buoys & Beacons · Anchor Alarm - Get notified if your vessel moves outside of a predetermined area · Virtual Dive Flag - Alert other vessels of swimmers in the water · Routing - Point to point waterway routing with distance to location · Depth - See depth based on current NOAA bathymetry charts · Location sharing - Share location with a single person, group or everyone · Vessel Tracks - Leave tracks along the way to see or share later · Offline mode - Use KnowWake anywhere, even with bad network service · Augmented Reality - See what's ahead including all KnowWake points of interest · Safety First - An SOS button, Safety Checklists and Float Plan generator Sharing with friends is easier than ever. Simply click the share button on any point, route or favorite location and choose who you want to share it with - This feature is perfect to retrace steps, show friends how to get somewhere or just share your adventures. Adding to the chart helps everyone. Whether posting a waterway report, adding a missing point or updating an existing one, you can help keep the chart current with local knowledge. Thank you to everyone helping keep the chart updated and we'll see you on the water soon!!

About

Savvy Navvy

This app provides comprehensive marine navigation, integrating charts, weather, tides, and GPS tracking. It simplifies route planning and offers real-time safety data to ensure confident and enjoyable time on the water for various boating activities.

Highlights
  • Clutter-free nautical charts
  • Smart route planning with weather and tide integration
  • Real-time GPS tracking
  • Departure scheduler
  • AIS data for vessel tracking
  • Marine weather forecasts
  • Tide and current information
  • Marina and anchorage finder
Features
Read full description

Savvy Navvy: Your All-in-One Marine Navigation App Savvy Navvy is the ultimate marine navigation tool that simplifies charts, weather forecasts, tides, GPS tracking, and route planning—right in the palm of your hand. Whether you're out sailing, fishing, or cruising, we take the stress out of navigation, so you can enjoy your time on the water. From smart routing to real-time GPS positioning and marine weather forecasts, savvy navvy helps you make safer, smarter decisions on the go. Navigate confidently, with up-to-date weather, tide information, and AIS data that keeps you clear of other vessels. Why Choose Savvy Navvy? Clutter-Free Charts: No more messy, hard-to-read charts. Our clean, intuitive design helps you map your route with ease, making every journey more enjoyable. Smart Route Planning: Plot your course effortlessly. Savvy Navvy calculates the best route, factoring in weather, tides, and depth. Plus, you get accurate ETAs so you can plan every detail of your trip. Real-Time GPS Tracking: Keep track of your location on the water with built-in GPS, so you always know where you are—and where you're heading. Departure Scheduler: Pick the perfect departure time by considering weather, tides, and daylight. Avoid rough seas and ensure a smoother ride. AIS Data for Safety: Stay safe with real-time AIS (Automatic Identification System) data that shows nearby vessels, helping you avoid collisions. Marine Weather Forecasts: Get ahead of the weather with detailed forecasts, including wind speed, swell, and visibility. Navigate safely, no matter the conditions. Tides and Currents: Access real-time tide and current data for safer passage, integrated directly into your charts. Marina and Anchorage Info: Find marinas and anchorages with ease. Whether you need fuel, supplies, or a safe place to dock, we’ve got you covered. Who’s Savvy Navvy For? Sailors: Plan routes with tools that account for wind, tides, and depth. Powerboaters: Navigate confidently with GPS and AIS tracking, plus estimate fuel needs for any trip. Fishermen: Get precise marine weather forecasts, schedule your trips, and mark your favorite fishing spots. Jetskiers, Kayakers, and Paddleboarders: Enjoy your adventures with reliable charts and GPS tracking. Why Trust Savvy Navvy? With over 2 million downloads and multiple marine innovation awards, Savvy Navvy is trusted by boaters around the world. We use official, regularly updated hydrographic data and live weather from top sources, ensuring you’re always equipped with the most accurate information. We listen to our users, constantly improving the app based on their feedback. Each update reflects real boater needs, making sure your experience on the water gets better with every trip. Why We're Different Unlike other navigation apps, savvy navvy lets you sync routes across up to five devices, making it easy to stay connected. Try our free version and explore all features before upgrading. Download Savvy Navvy today and explore the waters with confidence! Read our terms of service here: https://www.savvy-navvy.com/terms-of-service

Screenshots

KnowWake4 screens
Savvy Navvy4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Savvy Navvy at 4.7 against KnowWake's 4.0. Savvy Navvy also leads on ratings volume (8.4K vs 273) and chart position (#62 vs unranked). KnowWake's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 18) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). On price, review sentiment, update cadence and ads 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. Savvy Navvy sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $99.00 per year. KnowWake asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Savvy Navvy holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Savvy Navvy has 8.4K ratings behind it against 273, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 55% of KnowWake's written reviews are positive against 53% of Savvy Navvy's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

KnowWake ships an update every 11 days, Savvy Navvy weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and November 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
KnowWake versus Savvy Navvy: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterKnowWakeSavvy Navvy
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (273 ratings)4.7 (8.4K ratings) — better
Positive reviews55.3% of reviews — better53.2% of reviews
Number of ratings2738.4K — better
Update frequencyEvery 11 daysWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank—#62 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size123 MB156 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperApplication Generation, Incsavvy navvy

Customer experience

KnowWake

All ratings250 ratings
Positive74.0%
Neutral4.0%
Negative22.0%
Written reviews103 reviews
Positive55.3%
Neutral4.9%
Negative39.8%

Savvy Navvy

All ratings8,376 ratings
Positive92.3%
Neutral3.3%
Negative4.4%
Written reviews359 reviews
Positive53.2%
Neutral7.5%
Negative39.3%

User reviews

KnowWake

From 273 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🗺️ 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

Room to improve

  • 🐛 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)

Savvy Navvy

From 8.4K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Easy to use
  • 👍 Helpful for navigation
  • 🌊 Accurate charts and data
  • 💡 Useful features like weather and tide info
  • 👍 Great for planning routes

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Buggy and crashes
  • 💰 Expensive subscription
  • 🗺️ Missing chart data for some areas
  • 🤔 Confusing to set up
  • 🔋 Drains battery quickly

Bugs and requests

KnowWake

Reported bugs

14 issues
  • 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
Show 9 more
  • Filtering options don't work (removed items still appear)
  • Depth chart feature returns 'error tap on water area' message
  • Freshwater/saltwater detection incorrect
  • NOAA overlay charts work once then fail
  • Vessel picture change causes symbol display issues
  • Buoy recognition inconsistent (only recognizes one random buoy)
  • Contact form CAPTCHA rejects valid input
  • App won't load or appear in app list after download
  • Force closing and random shutdowns

Requested features

12 requests
  • 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
Show 7 more
  • Ability to save multiple vessel profiles
  • Layer on/off toggle functionality
  • Bridge information with contact details and height specifications
  • Water amenities for canal boaters (water points, Elsan disposal, pump out sites)
  • Improved filtering system that actually works
  • Better icon explanations or legend
  • Expanded lake coverage in central Florida and other regions

Savvy Navvy

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • App freezes or becomes unresponsive
  • Inaccurate weather and tide information
  • Issues with syncing data across devices
  • Problems with downloading charts and maps

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add more chart coverage for different regions
  • Improve route planning and navigation features
  • Allow offline use without internet connection
  • Integrate with other boating apps and devices
  • Provide more customization options

In-app purchases

None

KnowWake

No in-app purchases

10 purchases

Savvy Navvy

Subscriptions10
  • Premium1 Year trial$99.001 Year
  • Premium$99.001 Year
  • Premium (US-only charts)3 Days trial$99.001 Year
Show 7 more
  • Premium3 Days trial7 variants$99.001 Year
  • Premium (US-only charts)3 Days trial2 variants$129.001 Year
  • Premium (US-only charts)14 Days trial$129.001 Year
  • Elite (with Denmark)3 Days trial$129.001 Year
  • Premium Plus (global charts)14 Days trial$129.001 Year
  • Premium Plus (global charts)3 Days trial2 variants$169.001 Year
  • Premium Plus (global charts)14 Days trial$169.001 Year

Questions

Is KnowWake free?
KnowWake is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Savvy Navvy free?
Savvy Navvy is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, KnowWake or Savvy Navvy?
Savvy Navvy is rated higher. KnowWake averages 4.0 out of 5 from 273 ratings, while Savvy Navvy averages 4.7 from 8.4K ratings.
Do KnowWake or Savvy Navvy have ads?
Neither KnowWake nor Savvy Navvy shows ads.
Which is updated more often, KnowWake or Savvy Navvy?
KnowWake ships an update every 11 days, and Savvy Navvy weekly. Most recently, KnowWake was updated on October 21, 2026 and Savvy Navvy on November 1, 2026.

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