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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

FishAngler vs Fishbox

FishAngler 4.8★ · Free + IAP 75
Winner FishAngler
Fishbox 4.6★ · Free + IAP 55

FishAngler is generally preferred for its community features and broader utility, despite recent complaints about paywalls, while Fishbox struggles with consistent information and aggressive subscription tactics.

Full reviews: FishAngler · Fishbox

FishAngler offers a robust community platform and useful fishing forecasts, though recent updates have moved some popular features behind a paywall. Fishbox provides similar features but is frequently criticized for its aggressive subscription model and inconsistent data, especially for specific fishing types and locations.

Head to head

Features & Functionality edge: FishAnglerR2R3R7R8
FishAngler FishAngler users appreciate features like weather and prime fishing times, fish AI, tracking catches and spots, and connecting with other anglers R8R17R35. However, many lament that core features like seeing other people's catches, fish forecasts, lunar data, and depth charts have been moved behind a paywall, making the free version less useful R7. Some also desire features like knot guides, better lure recommendations, and improved chat functionality R2R3.
Fishbox Fishbox is praised for helping users find new spots, suggesting lures/baits, and providing fishing times . However, many users report a lack of data for their specific areas, especially for saltwater, rivers, and certain regions like Ontario or the UK R64R73. Inaccurate tide charts and forecasts are also a concern .
Ease of Use edge: FishAnglerR4R6R9R28
FishAngler Some FishAngler users find the app easy to use and in-depth, even for beginners . However, others describe the new app as 'too busy,' 'difficult to understand,' and 'overloaded with stuff' R9R28. There are also reports of glitches with logging bodies of water and signing in R4R6.
Fishbox Fishbox is described as 'a bit complicated' by some and having a 'terrible UI' by others, with login issues reported . The initial setup often involves a lengthy questionnaire before subscription demands R61.
Reliability & Performance tieR4R6R16R67
FishAngler FishAngler users report issues with the app crashing and infinite loading screens during sign-in R4R6. Some features, like kayak access points and public boat ramps, are noted as not working R16.
Fishbox Fishbox users report the app being slow and having persistent login problems where verification codes fail R67. There are also complaints about incorrect information, particularly regarding tides and fish bite forecasts .
Price & Value edge: FishAnglerR1R7R10R12
FishAngler FishAngler is heavily criticized for its paywalls, with many users stating that previously free core features, such as fish forecasts, peak fishing times, and seeing other people's catches, now require a subscription R7R10R12R13. The annual cost is cited as $59.99 or $80 R1R13.
Fishbox Fishbox faces strong criticism for its deceptive subscription practices, including demanding payment after a long questionnaire, charging users without clear consent, and making cancellations difficult R61R76R78. The cost is mentioned as $27, $27.99, $35, $9.99 a week, $29.99 a year, or $79.99 lifetime R64R78R82. Many feel the app is not worth the money, especially given the lack of local data .
Customer Support edge: FishAnglerR1R30R73R76
FishAngler FishAngler receives severe criticism for its customer support, with one user reporting that support refused a refund for an accidental charge, blaming Apple instead R1. Another user, however, received an answer to a service request the next morning R30.
Fishbox Fishbox is widely criticized for its support regarding refunds and cancellations. Users report difficulty canceling trials, being charged despite canceling, and support not honoring trial offers R73R76R78R82. One user noted that after some back and forth, they did receive a full refund R78.
Pick FishAngler if

Pick FishAngler if you value a social fishing community, detailed forecasts (and are willing to pay for them), and a platform that helps track catches and spots R17R35. It's also a better choice if you're looking for a more established app with a broader user base R41.

Pick Fishbox if

Pick Fishbox if you are a beginner looking for guidance on lures, baits, and general fishing times, and are comfortable with its subscription model and potential for localized data gaps .

Evidence note: Recent reviews for both apps show a strong negative skew, primarily due to changes in pricing and features moving behind paywalls. Fishbox has a significant number of complaints regarding deceptive subscription practices and difficulty with refunds, which heavily impacts its score.

Frequently asked

What are the main complaints about FishAngler?
The main complaints about FishAngler revolve around its recent updates moving previously free, core features like fish forecasts, peak fishing times, and the ability to see other users' catches behind a paywall R7. Users also report issues with app crashes, sign-in problems, and poor customer service regarding refunds R1R4R6.
Is Fishbox a scam?
Many users describe Fishbox's practices as a 'scam' or 'deceptive' due to its aggressive subscription model, where users are often required to complete a lengthy questionnaire and then immediately face subscription demands, with reports of charges occurring even after trial cancellations or without clear consent R61R76R78R82.
How much do these apps cost?
FishAngler's premium subscription is cited as costing $59.99 or $80 per year R1R13. Fishbox has various pricing models, including $9.99 a week, $29.99 a year, or $79.99 lifetime, with some users reporting charges of $27, $27.99, or $35 R64R78R82.
Which app is better for finding fishing spots?
FishAngler is praised for helping users find a lot of fishing spots and connect with other anglers about locations R17R23R35R41. Fishbox also aims to help with finding new spots , but many users report a significant lack of data and recorded catches for their specific local areas, making it less useful for finding spots in those regions R64R73.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R2] FishAngler 5/5 · US Great: This is a great app for fishing though I wish it would help me with knots. Maybe you can add
  2. [R3] FishAngler 3/5 · US How to find the best lures to fish: It doesn’t say what to fish depending on where you are and that should be provided wether you have plus or not
  3. [R7] FishAngler 1/5 · US Paywalls have ruined FishAngler: After years of contributing and using FishAngler as a community tool for anglers all over the world, the March 2026 update that paywalls seeing other peoples catches has killed the app for me. FishAngler still allows you to log your catches but now they own that data and sell it to other users as a ‘premium’ feature. I’m very sad to be deleting all my data and the
  4. [R8] FishAngler 5/5 · US Made me a pro: Best app ever it’s fish AI. It’s the best. Let’s go fish.
  5. [R4] FishAngler 1/5 · US Day 6 of trying to get past the sign in page: Cant sign in. Infinite loading screen. Fix it. Is this app abandoned or something?
  6. [R6] FishAngler 3/5 · US My app keeps crashing: I can’t log in
  7. [R9] FishAngler 3/5 · US Hate the app: I do not like the new app, It is way to busy and difficult for me to understand and use, I will no longer be using it. Good bye!!!
  8. [R28] FishAngler 1/5 · US I am too dumb to use this app: I was completely lost using this app maybe I am too dumb but there was no fish id that I could find every screen was over loaded with stuff I was not interested in and I had to pay for Like I said I am just too dumb for this app 🤣 Good luck to all you smart fishermen out there
  9. [R16] FishAngler 2/5 · US kayak access points don’t work: It would be nice to be able to filter and see where all the “ez dock kayak launch” platforms are located. The “kayak access” pin and filter does not work at all. All the public boat ramps do not show up either.
  10. [R67] Fishbox 1/5 · US Bad: I tried signing in about 30 times it never let me sign in because apparently it couldn’t verify the verification code. I don’t know why it’s just stupid and I would not recommend buying this.
  11. [R1] FishAngler 1/5 · US Terrible support: Talk about trash. These people claim to support veterans but when a vet accidentally was charged for a full year 59.99 for their app they wouldn’t even offer a refund after it was immediately deleted and u used. No customer service. They just blamed Apple. Apple isn’t the owner of the company. They are. They are a joke. Shame on you
  12. [R10] FishAngler 1/5 · US Do not use this app: This app plays dumb commercials out loud while you scroll through the feed. This app is garbage just trying to force people to pay. Good luck
  13. [R12] FishAngler 3/5 · US Upgrade: I really wanted this to be the tool to use. I checked out many of the places I like to fish. I liked many of the options the upgraded version had. I was very disappointed in the catch reports on the lakes and rivers. Most of the reports were five years or older. Seems there are not many people reporting catches since the app went to two tier system. I will keep using the free version fo
  14. [R30] FishAngler 3/5 · US New User: App was not working correctly while signing up. Sent a service request. Answer next morning. Still not sure if the App is working, but all things deserve a chance that includes if I did something to cause the issue.
  15. [R73] Fishbox 1/5 · US Does not support all locations: Tried the app but there was no information in the lake a was on. Explained this to Apple but refused to refund. Uninstalled the app immediately. I did not receive a trial period however the did not charge me for a week, but there was no way to end and cancel without being charged.
  16. [R76] Fishbox 1/5 · US Still charging my card after canceling subscription: Very shady and do not pay for the subscription they will keep charging you
  17. [R61] Fishbox 1/5 · US It’s a scam: The app employs deceptive practices: after installing it, you have to complete a nonsensical 20-minute questionnaire, after which it demands a subscription. There is no way to skip this.
  18. [R78] Fishbox 3/5 · US Subscription Trap: Be aware that it’s very easy to miss the details in the free trial and if you mess it up you will be charged $27 which is NON-REFUNDABLE without jumping through a series of cumbersome loops. If the app wen out and caught fish for me I wouldn’t use it just based on how exploitive the interactions with the team felt. UPDATE: After some back and forth with the team here they fu
  19. [R82] Fishbox 1/5 · US Beware: I bought the service and then 2 later found that they don’t provide meaningful info for rivers, which I primarily fish. I sent an email cancelling well within 7 day free trial. Guess what they continue to charge $27.99. I’ve sent a copy of my dated email cancelling to the owner and he still owning that his company isn’t honoring their trial offer. So now Amex is involved. Beware! Don’t bel
  20. [R13] FishAngler 1/5 · US Expensive: This apple run you $80 per year not worth it not even close. You still have people that report their catches at their houses so you don’t really know where they got caught. Not worth it delete it from your phone.
  21. [R64] Fishbox 1/5 · US Eh. Would not rebuy this app: Probably better for freshwater people. No one on the coast uses it, or logs catches. Has terrible ‘insight’ for coastal anglers, and doesn’t even have enough proper options for world famous local fish like striped bass, bluefish, tuna, Black Sea bass, etc. Like for selecting bait. Or where/when to fish. Very little saltwater info, will be politely asking for my $35
  22. [R17] FishAngler 5/5 · US W app: Amazing app lets you talk to other anglers and helps me track my catches plus my fishing spots 100/10!
  23. [R23] FishAngler 5/5 · US Fish: It helped me find a lot of fishing spots
  24. [R35] FishAngler 5/5 · US Amazing: Fish angler amazing cause you can communicate with all types of different anglers about out of fish and you can log and see the forecast on everything. It is a 10 out of 10 perfect app and better than fish brain 100%.
  25. [R41] FishAngler 5/5 · US Great app: App is great it has a lot of users and can be like a fishing social media app and you can connect with other anglers as well as post your catches and see others also can see a bunch of extra stuff if you are bored

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store