Comparison

KnowWake vs Ramp Radar

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

Ramp Radar

Features
Read full description

Ramp Radar – Your Essential Boat Ramp Companion Ramp Radar empowers boaters to find and plan launches with confidence. Access real-time information about nearby boat ramps, monitor availability, track water flow and tides, and stay informed about ramp events — all from a single, intuitive app. Professional-Grade Features: Nearby Ramps: Quickly locate ramps in your vicinity using accurate GPS tracking. Live Availability Updates: Receive real-time information on ramp accessibility and changes. Water Flow & Tides Monitoring: Plan launches safely with up-to-date environmental data. Ramp Events & Notices: Stay informed about closures, maintenance, or community events. Trip Planning & Favorites: Save preferred ramps and optimize your boating excursions. Why Choose Ramp Radar? Designed for both recreational and professional boaters, Ramp Radar simplifies trip planning, enhances safety, and ensures a seamless experience at every launch. Download Ramp Radar today and navigate every launch with confidence.

Screenshots

KnowWake4 screens
Ramp Radar4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: KnowWake at every 11 days against Ramp Radar's every 4 months. 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

KnowWake ships an update every 11 days, Ramp Radar every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
KnowWake versus Ramp Radar: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterKnowWakeRamp Radar
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.1 (250 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews55.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings250 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 11 days — betterEvery 4 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.013.0
Further details — not scored
Size123 MB81 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperApplication Generation, IncCurt Ainsworth

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

Ramp Radar

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

KnowWake

No in-app purchases

None

Ramp Radar

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is KnowWake free?
KnowWake is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Ramp Radar free?
Ramp Radar is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do KnowWake or Ramp Radar have ads?
Neither KnowWake nor Ramp Radar shows ads.
Which is updated more often, KnowWake or Ramp Radar?
KnowWake ships an update every 11 days, and Ramp Radar every 4 months. Most recently, KnowWake was updated on September 24, 2026 and Ramp Radar on September 20, 2026.

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