# Aqua Map Boating vs WaterNav

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Aqua Map Boating at 64% against WaterNav's 13%. Aqua Map Boating also leads on rating (4.7 vs 3.2) and ratings volume (14K vs 6). WaterNav's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 17). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Aqua Map Boating sells 17 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per year. WaterNav asks for nothing beyond the download.

Aqua Map Boating holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Aqua Map Boating has 14K ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 64% of Aqua Map Boating's written reviews are positive against 13% of WaterNav's.

Aqua Map Boating ships an update weekly, WaterNav fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Aqua Map Boating | WaterNav |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (14K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aqua-map-boating/id919552329/reviews)** | [3.2 (6 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/waternav/id1554872132/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **14K** | 6 |
| Positive reviews | **64.4% of reviews** | 12.9% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Fortnightly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | **#100** | — |
| Size | 174 MB | 74 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [GEC s.r.l.](https://appshunter.io/developer/675562886) | [River Canal Rescue Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1166619647) |

## What reviewers say

### Aqua Map Boating

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aqua-map-boating/id919552329)

**Currently charting:** #100 Top Grossing · Navigation (US App Store)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (17)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Florida - NOAA Nautical chart | $4.99 | per year |
| Alabama to Texas charts | $4.99 | per year |
| Cape Cod to Chesapeake Charts | $4.99 | per year |
| New England - Nautical charts | $4.99 | per year |
| Virginia to Georgia - Charts | $4.99 | per year |
| Midwest-Minnesota lake charts | $4.99 | per year |
| Michigan & Great Lakes chart | $4.99 | per year |
| US - Nautical & Lakes charts | $9.99 | per year |
| Canada - nautical charts | $9.99 | per year |
| US & Canada - nautical charts | $14.99 | per year |
| Caribbean South Nautical chart | $14.99 | per year |
| Bermuda - nautical charts | $14.99 | per year |
| Aqua Map Expert | $14.99 | per year |
| Aqua Map Master | $24.99 | per year |
| Bahamas - Explorer Charts | $49.99 | per year |
| US & Canada - Nautical chart | $49.99 | one-time |
| Bahamas - Explorer Chartbooks | $139.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 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

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 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

**Reported bugs**

- Inconsistent GPS tracking and positioning
- Compatibility issues on older devices

**Requested features**

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


### WaterNav

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/waternav/id1554872132)

This app provides offline waterway maps and navigation tools, displaying points of interest, locks, bridges, and closures. It offers route planning with customizable journey times and speed, and includes special features for River Canal Rescue members.

**Highlights:** Offline map access, Real-time GPS location tracking, Points of interest display, Waterway information (locks, bridges, closures), Route planning with customizable options, Exclusive RCR member features

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Aqua Map Boating free?

Aqua Map Boating is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is WaterNav free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Aqua Map Boating or WaterNav?

Aqua Map Boating is rated higher. Aqua Map Boating averages 4.7 out of 5 from 14K ratings, while WaterNav averages 3.2 from 6 ratings.

### Do Aqua Map Boating or WaterNav have ads?

Neither Aqua Map Boating nor WaterNav shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Aqua Map Boating or WaterNav?

Aqua Map Boating ships an update weekly, and WaterNav fortnightly. Most recently, Aqua Map Boating was updated on October 20, 2026 and WaterNav on October 13, 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.*