# KnowWake vs Whale Alert

The clearest difference is rating: Whale Alert at 4.7 against KnowWake's 4.1. KnowWake's advantage is update cadence (every 11 days vs every 3 months) and review sentiment (55% vs 43%). On price, ratings volume, 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.

Whale Alert holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 250 and 523 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 55% of KnowWake's written reviews are positive against 43% of Whale Alert's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

KnowWake ships an update every 11 days, Whale Alert every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 28, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | KnowWake | Whale Alert |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.1 (250 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/knowwake/id688017646/reviews) | **[4.7 (523 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/whale-alert/id911035973/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 250 | **523** |
| Positive reviews | **55.3% of reviews** | 42.5% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 11 days** | Every 3 months |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 123 MB | 132 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) | [Conserve.IO](https://appshunter.io/developer/651453353) |

## 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


### Whale Alert

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/whale-alert/id911035973)

This app helps protect whales by reducing ship strikes. It allows users to report whale sightings, access real-time alerts about whale activity and regulations, and view an interactive map of whale presence. It also provides tools for identifying whale species and connecting with response teams.

**Highlights:** Interactive whale sighting map, Real-time whale activity alerts, Report live, dead, or injured whales, Whale identification guide, Connect with first responders, Collision risk monitoring, Marine rules and speed zones

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is KnowWake free?

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

### Is Whale Alert free?

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

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

Whale Alert is rated higher. KnowWake averages 4.1 out of 5 from 250 ratings, while Whale Alert averages 4.7 from 523 ratings.

### Do KnowWake or Whale Alert have ads?

Neither KnowWake nor Whale Alert shows ads.

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

KnowWake ships an update every 11 days, and Whale Alert every 3 months. Most recently, KnowWake was updated on September 24, 2026 and Whale Alert on September 28, 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.*