Comparison

Aqua Map Boating vs Waterway Guide

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

Head to head
About

Aqua Map Boating

This app provides official, weekly updated nautical charts for marine navigation. It allows for offline map downloads, GPS track recording, and integration with onboard instruments. Enhance your boating safety and experience with advanced features like weather forecasts and AIS collision detection.

Highlights
  • Official NOAA nautical charts
  • Offline map downloads
  • GPS track recording
  • Tides and currents predictions
  • Anchor Alarm
  • NMEA instrument connectivity
  • AIS with collision detection
Features
Read full description

Free 14-day trial for all subscriptions   Aqua Map offers weekly updated OFFICIAL NAUTICAL CHARTS (NOAA) for marine navigation. Purchase a chart subscription for the area of your interest, download the map areas for offline use, and connect your onboard instruments for a complete experience. ● BASIC FEATURES - Switch between manual and auto route planning modes - Record your GPS tracks - Store and share your navigation data (markers, routes, and recorded tracks) - Display tides and currents predictions and simulations - Increase your safety with Anchor Alarm - Enable Live Sharing to interact with the Aqua Map community - Display points of interest from the "ActiveCaptain" and "Waterway Guide" communities ● EXPERT SUBSCRIPTION Note: this subscription does not include charts; it must be paired with a chart subscription. - Marine forecasts (wind, waves, currents, gusts, salinity, sea surface temperature + weather information for any point on the map) - Overlay satellite images on the charts - Advanced AnchorLink with anchorage mirroring and email/telegram notifications for greater peace of mind while anchored, even if you are away from the boat - Connect your NMEA instruments via WiFi (autopilot, depth sounder, wind sensor, compass, GPS) and use their data on the app - AIS with automatic collision detection - Route Explorer for real-time information on all elements along your route ● MASTER SUBSCRIPTION FOR THE BEST NAVIGATION EXPERIENCE Note: this subscription does not include charts; it must be paired with a chart subscription. - All features of the EXPERT subscription are included in the MASTER subscription. + LOCAL DATA: > US: Army Corps of Engineers surveys for safe navigation in shallow waters > US: LNMs and "List of Lights" navaids from the Coast Guard. > Canada: NAVWARNs from the Coast Guard. > France: Warnings, Notices and Regulations from the PING > Denmark: Warnings and Notices from the DMA > Western Australia: temporary Notices from the Transport WA   ● PURCHASE OPTIONS To access the charts, you need to purchase a chart subscription for the area of interest. Optionally, you can add the Expert subscription or the Master subscription to unlock extra navigation features and additional data. Subscription payments will be made through your account (Apple ID). The annual subscription will automatically renew unless canceled at least 24 hours before expiration. You can manage your subscription and disable automatic renewal in the account settings section after purchase. Terms of use: https://www.aquamap.app/terms-and-conditions Privacy policy: https://www.aquamap.app/privacy-policy

About

Waterway Guide

This app provides a comprehensive boating resource with a verified database of marinas, anchorages, and navigation alerts. Users can access real-time hazard information, plan trips with a digital handbook, and utilize detailed content optimized for mobile devices. Engage with a community of boaters through comments and reviews.

Highlights
  • Verified points of interest database
  • Real-time navigation alerts
  • Community comments and reviews
  • Skipper's Handbook for trip planning
  • Offline content access
  • Marina filtering by amenities
Features
Read full description

Optimized for your mobile devices with Waterway Guide's detailed and verified points of interest database. Includes over 1.3 million data points on marinas, anchorages, navigation alerts, free docks, bridges and locks displayed on the embedded map or satellite view. Benefit from the experience of 75 years of publishing and hundreds of thousands of active boaters through verified comments and reviews. Share your comments, add points of interest, earn rewards and engage with others from within the app. Stay informed with the latest hazards to navigation reported real time from USCG, government agencies, local experts and boaters everywhere. Plan your time on the water with Waterway Guide's Skipper's Handbook, which is included with the free app download. Access Waterway Guide's library of books as individual chapters or entire guides for the information and details you need for navigation. Content is optimized for mobile devices and can be bookmarked for availability offline. Easily find marinas that fit your needs. Filter our entire database of marinas based on amenities and your preferences. Same functionality as Waterway Guide’s Marinas App. EULA: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Aqua Map Boating4 screens
Waterway Guide4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Aqua Map Boating at every 6 days against Waterway Guide's every 2 weeks. Aqua Map Boating also leads on review sentiment (64% vs 51%) and ratings volume (14K vs 2.9K). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases 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. Aqua Map Boating sells 17 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per year and Waterway Guide sells 43 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Aqua Map Boating against 4.7 for Waterway Guide. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 14K and 2.9K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 64% of Aqua Map Boating's written reviews are positive against 51% of Waterway Guide's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Aqua Map Boating ships an update every 6 days, Waterway Guide every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
Aqua Map Boating versus Waterway Guide: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAqua Map BoatingWaterway Guide
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (14K ratings)4.7 (2.9K ratings)
Positive reviews64.5% of reviews — better51.2% of reviews
Number of ratings14K — better2.9K
Update frequencyEvery 6 days — betterEvery 2 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#76 — better#109
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better16.6
Further details — not scored
Size171 MB39 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGEC s.r.l.Waterway Guide

Customer experience

Aqua Map Boating

All ratings13,587 ratings
Positive93.9%
Neutral2.9%
Negative3.2%
Written reviews290 reviews
Positive64.5%
Neutral9.0%
Negative26.6%

Waterway Guide

All ratings2,897 ratings
Positive94.1%
Neutral2.4%
Negative3.5%
Written reviews41 reviews
Positive51.2%
Neutral14.6%
Negative34.1%

User reviews

Aqua Map Boating

From 14K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Excellent navigation tool
  • 👍 Easy to use and intuitive
  • 🗺️ Detailed and accurate charts
  • 💡 Helpful features like AIS, weather, and fuel prices
  • 🤝 Responsive and helpful customer support

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional issues with map downloads and disappearing charts
  • 🔍 Lack of intuitive route planning functionality
  • 🔍 Slow map loading and tracking issues in certain areas
  • 💰 Subscription model with additional costs for map downloads

Waterway Guide

From 2.9K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Excellent integration with Aqua Map
  • 👍 Useful resource for boating
  • 👍 Great information and details
  • 👍 Easy to use and navigate
  • 👍 Invaluable for planning trips

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Buggy and crashes frequently
  • 🐛 Inconsistent and unreliable
  • 🐛 Difficult to navigate and use
  • 🐛 Outdated information and images
  • 🐛 Subscription and access issues

Bugs and requests

Aqua Map Boating

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Inconsistent GPS tracking and positioning
  • Compatibility issues on older devices

Requested features

4 requests
  • Improved route planning and optimization
  • Offline map caching and seamless downloads
  • Tidal and wind data overlays
  • Sync capabilities across devices

Waterway Guide

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • App not working with latest iOS version
  • Subscription purchases not working properly
  • Unable to access purchased content
  • Frequent crashes and errors

Requested features

4 requests
  • Provide vertical bridge clearances
  • Improve offline functionality
  • Enhance search and filtering options
  • Implement dark mode

In-app purchases

17 purchases

Aqua Map Boating

Subscriptions15
  • Florida - NOAA Nautical chart14 Days trial$4.991 Year
  • Alabama to Texas charts14 Days trial$4.991 Year
  • Cape Cod to Chesapeake Charts14 Days trial$4.991 Year
Show 12 more
  • New England - Nautical charts14 Days trial$4.991 Year
  • Virginia to Georgia - Charts14 Days trial$4.991 Year
  • Midwest-Minnesota lake charts14 Days trial$4.991 Year
  • Michigan & Great Lakes chart14 Days trial$4.991 Year
  • US - Nautical & Lakes charts14 Days trial$9.991 Year
  • Canada - nautical charts14 Days trial$9.991 Year
  • US & Canada - nautical charts14 Days trial$14.991 Year
  • Caribbean South Nautical chart14 Days trial$14.991 Year
  • Bermuda - nautical charts14 Days trial$14.991 Year
  • Aqua Map Expert14 Days trial$14.991 Year
  • Aqua Map Master14 Days trial$24.991 Year
  • Bahamas - Explorer Charts14 Days trial$49.991 Year
One-time2
  • US & Canada - Nautical chart$49.99
  • Bahamas - Explorer Chartbooks$139.99
43 purchases

Waterway Guide

Subscriptions43
  • Chesapeake Bay Ch.3$4.991 Year
  • Atlantic ICW Ch.2$4.991 Year
  • Atlantic ICW Ch.6$4.991 Year
Show 40 more
  • Southern Ch.6$4.991 Year
  • Southern Bridges & Locks$4.991 Year
  • Bahamas Cruising Guide$4.991 Year
  • Florida Keys Ch.3$4.991 Year
  • Gulf IWW Ch.4$4.991 Year
  • Atlantic ICW Ch.10$4.991 Year
  • Gulf IWW Ch.1$4.991 Year
  • Western Gulf Coast Ch.4$4.991 Year
  • Atlantic ICW Ch.4$4.991 Year
  • Southern Ch.4$4.991 Year
  • Western Gulf Coast Ch.3$4.991 Year
  • Atlantic ICW East Coast Inlets$4.991 Year
  • Northern Ch.12$4.991 Year
  • Great Lakes Vol.2 Ch.7$4.991 Year
  • Northern Ch.11$4.991 Year
  • Great Lakes Vol.1 Ch.7$4.991 Year
  • Atlantic ICW Ch.9$4.991 Year
  • Great Lakes Vol.1 Ch.2$4.991 Year
  • Northern Ch.1$14.991 Year
  • Great Lakes Vol.2 Ch.8$14.991 Year
  • Great Lakes Vol.2 Ch.6$14.991 Year
  • Southern Ch.13$14.991 Year
  • Southern Ch.10$14.991 Year
  • Southern Ch.12$14.991 Year
  • Southern Ch.3$14.991 Year
  • Southern Ch.11$14.991 Year
  • Anchorages Along the ICW$20.991 Year
  • Bahamas Bound$20.991 Year
  • ICW Cruising Guide by Bob423$29.991 Year
  • Northern Edition$49.991 Year
  • 1st Ed. Bahamas Land and Sea$49.991 Year
  • Chesapeake Bay Edition$54.991 Year
  • Atlantic ICW Edition$54.991 Year
  • Southern Edition$54.991 Year
  • Bahamas Edition$54.991 Year
  • Western Gulf Coast Edition$54.991 Year
  • Florida Keys Edition$54.991 Year
  • Great Lakes Volume 1 Edition$54.991 Year
  • Great Lakes Volume 2 Edition$54.991 Year
  • Cuba Edition$59.991 Year

Questions

Is Aqua Map Boating free?
Aqua Map Boating is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Waterway Guide free?
Waterway Guide is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Aqua Map Boating or Waterway Guide?
Aqua Map Boating and Waterway Guide are both rated 4.7 out of 5 on the App Store, from 14K and 2.9K ratings respectively.
Do Aqua Map Boating or Waterway Guide have ads?
Neither Aqua Map Boating nor Waterway Guide shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Aqua Map Boating or Waterway Guide?
Aqua Map Boating ships an update every 6 days, and Waterway Guide every 2 weeks. Most recently, Aqua Map Boating was updated on September 24, 2026 and Waterway Guide on September 23, 2026.
Which is more popular, Aqua Map Boating or Waterway Guide?
Aqua Map Boating currently peaks at #76 in the App Store charts, and Waterway Guide at #109. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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