Onwater vs Fishbrain: Which Fishing App Fits Best for You?

Fishing Apps For You

Fishing these days is slightly different from what it was a decade ago. Sure, rods, reels, and tackle continue to play important roles. But in this modern time? Most anglers these days rely on cell phone applications to maximize each trip. 

These apps help with literally everything. From the discovery of new locations to recording catches and viewing live weather. 

Whether an individual goes solo or likes to share their catches with others, an application is probably created for each kind of fisher. And yep, even that friend who just wants a pretty pic for Instagram.

Two of the favorite choices are Fishbrain and OnWater. And I know what you're thinking, they may look identical at first glance. 

Both provide maps, information, and tools to assist anglers in planning better and fishing smarter. 

But look a little closer, and their differences emerge. But once you start using them, it’s actually pretty clear. They serve very different fishing personalities. 

Each one is developed with a different take on the fishing experience.

Fishbrain leans heavily on community and crowd-sourced data. It's a wonderful tool for anglers who enjoy sharing and learning from one another. 

OnWater, by contrast, is more about precise mapping and trip planning. It's designed for those who wish to venture into new waters and target fish with a purpose.

Don't worry, we won't push one app over the other in this article. Rather, we'll examine both apps in detail, feature by feature, so that you can determine which one best serves your fishing purposes. Yes, you'll do it yourself! 

Overview

Fishbrain

Fishbrain was established in 2010. It was initially a social application developed specifically for anglers. It's like Facebook. Twitter. Or Instagram. 

It has since then turned out to be among the most popular fishing apps used worldwide.

Essentially, Fishbrain is a social thing. It lets you share catches, exchange advice, and attempt at fishing spots discovered by other co-anglers. 

The application shows local fishing spots, the hottest bite time, and the fish species common for each location. 

You may even see tide charts, moon phases, and barometric pressure to organize better angling trips. The application also offers fishing forecasts based on real-time data and weather.

Fishbrain supports all types of anglers. Yes, so that includes even the beginners to those hunting trophy fish. It supports bass fishing, trout fishing, and saltwater fishing, too. 

You can log catches, post photos, and get tips on bait and gear. And, it hooks you up with a full marketplace to purchase rods, reels, and more. 

So, when you think about it, it's kinda handy when you realize you forgot to replace your frayed line... again (don't worry, it's not just you). 

It also has a gigantic community of users. If you like learning about fishing from the community or seeing current fishing reports, Fishbrain has made it easy. 

It's among the highest-rated fishing apps for you if you like sharing your experience and searching for new spots. It’s the app that makes you feel like you're never fishing alone. 

Even when, in reality, you are. 

OnWater

OnWater is a fairly new app. That's why you rarely see feedback about it online so far. 

It's geared towards anglers who want to plan their fishing trips with precision. It supports both fly fishing and conventional methods. 

The application includes useful features for seeking out public access spots, trout streams, and backcountry zones.

Its strongest suit is in-depth maps. You can see river condition, flow, private land boundaries, and public access points.

It even allows dropping pins, establishing custom icons, and traveling through trout paths. You can see water temperature, weather, and river info for better fishing outcomes.

In contrast to most applications, OnWater has offline maps. Because let’s face it, some of the best fishing spots have zero bars. No internet at all.

This is useful for those anglers heading to areas that have no access or cell reception. It also links you with local fly shops, fly fishing guides, and even Trout Unlimited resources. 

The application is best suited for planning your next trip with greater preparation.

If you’re looking for a tool focused on finding fishing spots, tracking river anglers’ needs, and getting detailed information, then this one's your guy. Honestly, OnWater is a solid pick for you. It gives more features than many other fishing apps and helps users get the most out of every cast.

Feature by Feature Comparison

a. Mapping and Navigation Features

One thing about Fishbrain is that it has an interactive map. Yes, so that means you'll see the fishing hotspots revealed through community contribution. 

These features assist anglers in determining fishing spots based on others' experiences. 

It is useful when prospecting for trout fishing, bass fishing, or coastal waters. The map has advice from the public to make your next trip better. And trust me, it helps a lot!

On the other hand, OnWater provides users with in-depth maps that have multiple perspectives. This includes satellite, outdoor, and dark mode. 

(For your reference, I found this really insightful review of the app. Review: OnWater App By Adam Brown.)

You can view public land, private land, access points, boat ramps, and trout streams. 

These features are extremely useful for river fishermen as well as fishermen in out-of-the-way places. If you think this is you, then OnWater's for you! The app is like taking a cross across Google Earth. But in a way that's designed specifically for fishermen.

b. Live Conditions and Forecasts

Fishbrain offers weather predictions, tide tables, lunar phases, and fish activity forecasts. 

So, it helps you find out the optimal time for catching fish. It's a blend of both fishing apps and weather apps. It takes more data to provide you with a better chance on your next cast.

OnWater provides real-time information about flow rates, river conditions, and weather. 

You also have access to radar, stream gauges, and tides. The MyWaters dashboard simplifies the planning of fishing trips based on current conditions. 

This is good for trout anglers tracking changing water levels.

c. Journaling and Logging

Fishbrain allows you to record your catches. 

You may mark locations, specify fish types, and post pictures. So, this allows you to monitor patterns and learn over time. Honestly? It's super handy when pursuing trophy fish (for bragging rights, of course!) or tracking your go-to fishing hotspots.

OnWater goes one step beyond logging. It automatically records your fishing trips. It records river conditions, route, and weather. No-catch trips are also recorded with full details. 

Trends over time are displayed on the dashboard. This information is particularly useful in fly fishing or trout fishing. 

d. Community and Social Engagement

Fishbrain is among the top fishing apps for sharing with others. 

It boasts more than 15 million users. You can see fishing reports, leave comments on posts, and read reviews. There's a gear marketplace too. It assists you in locating other users who fish close to you. As I've said earlier, it's like Facebook. But for anglers only. Amazing, right?

If you couldn't care less about socializing, then this one is for you. OnWater is less concerned with social features. It has no forums or chat features. 

What it does do is help you organize the ideal fishing trip. You get more map features and river information, but less user interaction.

e. Species and Conservation Insights

Fishbrain monitors fish behavior and seasonal habits. It provides predictions for various fish species. It encourages sustainable fishing and wise practices. 

This keeps you in respect with the water and fish stock.

OnWater provides you with access to more than 100 species layers. You can see which species inhabit specific trout routes or fishing spots. 

The application also offers some conservation details and links you with regional fly shops and Trout Unlimited. This renders it one of the finest fly fishing apps for well-informed anglers.

f. Offline Features and Accessibility

Fishbrain is best used while you are online. Although you can prepare ahead, most of the tools require connectivity. It might not be the best in far-flung or remote areas with poor connectivity. So, yes, there's that downside. 

OnWater is designed for offline use. You can download maps, look at access points, and view cell coverage layers. 

So it's pretty much great for backcountry fishing or prowling rivers with no signal. The offline maps feature alone makes it stand out from most other fishing apps.

g. Pricing and Subscriptions

Fishbrain offers a free version. Pro is $9.99 per month or $74.99 per year. It opens up more features, improves fishing forecasts, and provides more detailed maps.

OnWater also offers a free account. The OnWater Plus version is $39.99 per year. It opens up additional tools, such as access to maps when offline, custom icons, and more detailed data.

Which App is for Who?

Both Fishbrain and OnWater have great tools. But they cater to different types of anglers. So, it's just a matter of which type you are. It comes down to how you prefer to fish and what features are important to you.

Fishbrain is ideal for social anglers. If you like to learn from others, this app is an excellent choice. 

The big community provides access to fellow anglers' fishing reports and submitted hotspots. 

You can read advice, share photos, and observe other people catching fish around you. 

It is particularly useful for beginners. You can ask questions, get answers, and gain honest feedback. 

The app also has gear reviews and a marketplace for fishing. That way, you can see what other people are doing and where they are doing it.

If you tend to fish in areas you know well but wish there were some social interaction, Fishbrain is your winner. Yup, this is definitely the app for you.

Why? Because you gain inspiration from common catches and are able to schedule your next outing according to actual activity. 

This is great for bass fishing, beach angling, or even hopping around ponds. You also receive features such as catch logging and forecasting of fish behavior. 

If you need a fishing app that is social networking for anglers, Fishbrain is a better option.

OnWater is perfect for anglers who love to plan and discover. The app suits people who require precise fishing maps. You can access public land, boat ramps, topographic layers, and trout streams. 

It assists you in discovering new regions, even distant areas. If you prefer fly fishing, river fishing, or backcountry fishing, OnWater provides the correct tools.

You also receive real-time stream flow, radar, and local conditions. This is super helpful when fishing in unpredictable weather. Or even when you're trying to monitor water levels. 

The app also automatically logs trips. You receive a complete dashboard of your fishing data, even for catch-less trips. Feel free to use this to identify patterns and optimize your plans.

Well, we've talked about this above. But the main strength of OnWater is really its offline capability. 

You're able to download fishing maps, view cell coverage layers, and obtain access point data without a signal. This makes it ideal for remote excursions where there is no internet. 

If you're someone who desires control, planning tools, and conservation data, OnWater is an excellent fishing app for you.

DO YOU REALLY HAVE TO CHOOSE? Honestly? Not necessarily.

Some fishermen may utilize both. This is great for hybrid fishers who like to plan and receive social feedback. You may use Fishbrain to check what is popular, learn from others, and discover gear tips. 

Then you can flip to OnWater for route planning, offline maps, and stream gauge monitoring. This way, you can have the best of both worlds!

Some Bonus Tips!

Now that we've reviewed the apps. We've added extra tips for you in this article.

Fishing apps are great tools. But to reap actual value, you must do more than just download them. 

Many anglers download apps such as Fishbrain or OnWater and never explore all the features. 

Honestly, that's a lost potential. So, here are simple things to gain more from your fishing app. That is, if you are using it for social fishing, weather forecasting, or offline maps in remote locations.

1. Sync your trips with your calendar

Most fishermen are planners. If your fishing app supports it, connect it with your phone calendar. Then you can schedule trips according to fish activity predictions, tide, and moon stages. 

Both OnWater and Fishbrain provide the best times to fish according to real-time weather and seasonal variables. It prevents you from leaving for a trip at the wrong time.

2. Download maps before you leave

Never count on having a signal. There are no internet connections at all on many remote lakes and mountain rivers. 

If you're using OnWater, pre-load your maps. You'll still be able to view access areas, fishing locations, and even private land boundaries. It's one of the finest offline capabilities in any fishing app. 

If you're using Fishbrain, at least note locations in advance while you still can with data.

3. Both mobile and desktop explore

A few fishing apps offer a desktop version or web dashboard. 

These are actually easier to use for intricate planning. 

You can see larger map areas, zoom in on streams, or compare layers more quickly on a large screen. 

Then switch to the mobile version when you are on the water. Using both gives you the best of both worlds. Yes for portability! 

Reflection

As you can see, both Fishbrain and OnWater are valuable fishing aids. 

But they provide very different things. One is more about the social aspect of fishing. The other is better for planning and charting. So, I guess, ask yourself: are you a social butterfly or a planner? Or maybe both?

Selecting the top fish app ultimately depends on what is most important to you. 

If social aspects, real-time advice, and community feedback are your thing, Fishbrain might be the app for you. 

If independent planning, finding access points, or fishing off the grid are more of your preference, OnWater might be the app for you.

A piece of advice? You don't have to pick between them. Both apps are utilized by the majority of anglers for varying reasons. 

Both free versions of each can be used. So, see what works for you. You can utilize Fishbrain to get ideas, then move on to OnWater when you need to map your way.

Ultimately, the perfect app is the one that suits your fishing style. Try them all out. Use gear that makes you fish smarter. And above all, have a good time on the water.