Comparison

Whale Alert vs FerryWizard

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

Head to head
About

Whale Alert

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
Read full description

Protect Whales. Prevent Collisions. Join the Effort. Vessel strikes are a leading cause of whale injury and death around the world. With the Whale Alert app, you can help keep whales safe—whether you're a mariner, recreational boater, beachgoer, or scientist. Whale Alert turns your sightings into action. Report live, dead, or injured whales, stay informed about speed zones and regulations, and view whale activity on an interactive map. Every report contributes to a safer ocean for whales and people. Key Features: - Interactive Map: View recent whale sightings from professionals and citizen scientists, acoustic detections from buoys and gliders, and aerial survey data. - Real-Time Alerts: Get notified when you're near recent whale activity or areas of concern. - Report Sightings: Log sightings of living, dead, or injured whales and report marine hazards or vessel strikes. - Whale ID Guide: Identify whale species accurately using an in-app identification tool. - First Responder Connection: Quickly connect with response teams for distressed, stranded or dead whales.. - Collision Risk Monitoring: Understand your vessel’s risk based on location, speed, and likelihood of whale presence. - Marine Rules at a Glance: Access speed limits, seasonal protections, and region-specific whale approach guidelines. - Data-Rich Map Layers: Includes arine sanctuaries and protected areas, seasonal and dynamic management areas, U.S. marine charts, NOAA PORTS® data, and likely whale presence along the U.S. East Coast and Europe. - Multilingual Support: Available in English, French, and Spanish. Whale Alert is currently available in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. ______________________________________ Why It Matters: Whales are vulnerable to collisions with vessels of all sizes. In California, gray whales are the most commonly reported victims of vessel strikes. On the Atlantic coast, the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale faces a similar threat. In the Mediterranean, vessel strikes are the leading cause of human-caused death for fin and sperm whales. Slowing down saves lives. Whale Alert empowers you to take simple, informed actions that make a big impact. By reporting sightings and following in-app guidance, you help reduce ship strikes, inform science and policy, and protect some of the ocean’s most iconic creatures. The Whale Alert team consists of IFAW, Conserve.IO and Greenov. We are part of a global effort to reduce vessel strikes and other human activities that threaten marine mammals. Our network of partners, contributors and sponsors include NOAA Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, Whale Alert — West Coast, NOAA Fisheries Service, Canadian Whale Institute, Channel Island Cetacean Research Unit, Bay of Fundy—Tidal Energy, Whale Alert Alaska—National Park Service, The Marine Mammal Center, Orca Network, Beam Reach, OceanWise, Marine Mammal Advisory Group, Ørsted and ProtectedSeas. Download Whale Alert today and help make the ocean safer for whales—one sighting at a time. _______________________________________ Continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life.

About

FerryWizard

This app provides the fastest routes across the Puget Sound by analyzing real-time traffic, ferry reports, and vessel data. It helps you plan your journey efficiently between Seattle, Kitsap, and Whidbey Island.

Highlights
  • Real-time traffic analysis
  • WSDOT ferry reports
  • Traffic camera integration
  • USCG vessel reports
  • Fastest route calculation
  • Seattle, Kitsap, Whidbey Island routes
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Find the fastest way across the Puget Sound in seconds! Unlike any other app, FerryWizard uses all of the things that affect your trip -- from real-time traffic speeds, WSDOT ferry reports, traffic cameras, USCG vessel reports, and more to provide you the best path between Seattle, Kitsap, and Whidbey Island. We're continuously improving the app, so check back for updates regularly. Ferries can be dumb; you don't have to be. This app uses the Standard Apple End User License Agreement and Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Whale Alert4 screens
FerryWizard4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Whale Alert at Free against FerryWizard's $1.99. Whale Alert also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 4). FerryWizard's advantage is chart position (#192 vs unranked). On review sentiment, update cadence, ads 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

Whale Alert is free to download; FerryWizard costs $1.99 up front. FerryWizard sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whale Alert asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Whale Alert ships an update every 3 months, FerryWizard every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 28, 2026 and September 14, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
Whale Alert versus FerryWizard: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterWhale AlertFerryWizard
PriceFree — better$1.99
Rating4.7 (523 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews42.5% of reviews50.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings523 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank—#192 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size132 MB59 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperConserve.IODan McMath

Customer experience

Whale Alert

All ratings523 ratings
Positive92.7%
Neutral2.7%
Negative4.6%
Written reviews40 reviews
Positive42.5%
Neutral15.0%
Negative42.5%

FerryWizard

Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

In-app purchases

None

Whale Alert

No in-app purchases

4 purchases

FerryWizard

Subscriptions2
  • Unlimited Monthly Subscription$4.991 Month
  • Unlimited Annual$49.991 Year
One-time2
  • Unlimited Lifetime$89.99
  • Unlimited Lifetime$150.00

Questions

Is Whale Alert free?
Whale Alert is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is FerryWizard free?
FerryWizard costs $1.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Do Whale Alert or FerryWizard have ads?
Neither Whale Alert nor FerryWizard shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Whale Alert or FerryWizard?
Whale Alert ships an update every 3 months, and FerryWizard every 2 months. Most recently, Whale Alert was updated on September 28, 2026 and FerryWizard on September 14, 2026.

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