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

Fishbox vs Fishbrain

Fishbox 4.6★ · Free + IAP 60
Winner Fishbrain
Fishbrain 4.7★ · Free + IAP 65

Fishbrain has a slight edge over Fishbox due to its more established community and slightly better feature set, despite both apps suffering from aggressive paywalls.

Full reviews: Fishbox · Fishbrain

Both Fishbox and Fishbrain are fishing apps that offer forecasts, spot finding, and catch logging, but both are heavily criticized for locking essential features behind expensive subscriptions. Fishbrain benefits from a larger user base and more detailed community contributions, while Fishbox struggles with accuracy and consistent functionality.

Head to head

Features and Information Quality edge: FishbrainR4R10R11R13
Fishbox Fishbox users appreciate features like fishing forecasts and identifying best times to fish, which some find 'insanely accurate' and helpful for beginners R11R17R51. However, many users report a lack of detailed information, especially for saltwater or specific river fishing, and find the provided data, such as tide charts and fishing spots, to be inaccurate or outdated R4R13R22. Some also note that public fishing spots disappeared in recent updates R10.
Fishbrain Fishbrain users praise its 'BiteTime' feature for accuracy and its ability to help them catch more fish, as well as the value of checking what others have logged in certain spots R62. It's also seen as great for finding new fishing spots and logging catches . However, many core features, including seeing other people's catches, bait guides, and detailed forecasts, are locked behind a paywall R75. Some users also note missing fish species .
Ease of Use and Reliability tieR5R7R19R28
Fishbox Fishbox is described as 'a bit complicated' by some users R5. Many report significant issues with basic functionality, such as being unable to sign in or verify codes R7R28. The app is also criticized for being slow R19 and having a 'terrible UI' R28. Some users experience problems with location accuracy, where the app thinks they are in a different state .
Fishbrain Fishbrain users report issues with map functionality, where zooming in or out accidentally pings a location, making map manipulation frustrating . Some users also experience the app not allowing them to access the map or even the app itself . There are also reports of age restriction errors preventing users from accessing their accounts .
Price and Value tieR1R3R14R16
Fishbox Fishbox is heavily criticized for its aggressive subscription model. Users report being forced into subscriptions after lengthy questionnaires R1R60, having features that were previously free moved behind a paywall R3R14, and being charged unexpectedly or having difficulty canceling trials and subscriptions R1R16R17R18. The prices are considered 'too expensive' and the app is often labeled a 'scam' or 'money grab' due to these practices R1R60.
Fishbrain Fishbrain faces widespread criticism for its extensive paywalls, with users stating that 'everything is a paywall' or '90% of the app is locked behind a paywall' R64. Many complain that features that were once free, like viewing other people's catches, now require a subscription R75. The subscription costs are considered high, with prices ranging from $80 to $170 per year . Users also report pop-up ads for the premium version making the free app unusable .
Community and Social Features edge: FishbrainR4R9R38R52
Fishbox Fishbox users note that the app's usefulness depends on people adding their own experience R9. Some reviews indicate a lack of data or recorded catches in their area, suggesting a less active community in certain regions R4R38R52.
Fishbrain Fishbrain is praised for its community aspect, allowing users to connect with other anglers and see what people have logged in certain spots R62. Users enjoy posting their catches for others to see . However, the ability to view other people's catches is now largely behind a paywall, which frustrates users R75. There are also reports of negative social interactions within the app .
Pick Fishbox if

you are a beginner angler looking for basic guidance on best fishing times and spots, and are willing to navigate a potentially complex subscription process R11R17.

Pick Fishbrain if

you are looking for a more established fishing community and value features like 'BiteTime' and the ability to log and share catches, and are prepared to pay for a premium subscription to access most of the app's useful features R62.

Evidence note: Both apps have a significant number of negative reviews related to their subscription models and paywalls, making it challenging to compare free-tier experiences directly. The evidence for both apps is strong on the issue of aggressive monetization.

Frequently asked

Are Fishbox and Fishbrain truly free?
No, while both apps offer a free download, many essential and previously free features are locked behind expensive subscriptions, with users reporting that Fishbox requires a subscription after a lengthy questionnaire R1R60 and Fishbrain locks almost all useful information behind a paywall, including viewing other people's catches R64R75.
How accurate are the fishing forecasts in these apps?
Fishbox users report mixed experiences, with some finding its forecasts and 'best times to fish' 'insanely accurate' R17R51, while others state that the app provides 'wrong info' about tides, weather, and fish bites R32. Fishbrain's 'BiteTime' feature is praised by users for being 'very accurate' and helping them catch more fish R62.
Can I cancel my subscription easily?
Users of Fishbox report significant difficulties in canceling subscriptions, with claims of being charged after canceling trials, being unable to find cancellation options within the app, and needing to involve credit card companies R16R18R22R28. Fishbrain reviews do not specifically detail cancellation difficulties, but focus more on the high cost of subscriptions .

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. [R4] 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
  2. [R10] Fishbox 1/5 · US You broke it: All the previous public fishing spots have disappeared with version 30.0. The app is basically useless now. Well done
  3. [R11] Fishbox 5/5 · US Great app for beginners: I love this app! It’s taught me so much and keeps me aware of the best times to fish.
  4. [R13] 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.
  5. [R5] Fishbox 4/5 · US Love it: It is a bit complicated, but it is good
  6. [R7] 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.
  7. [R19] Fishbox 1/5 · US Slow: Slow
  8. [R28] Fishbox 1/5 · US Terrible UI: I tried this app but couldn’t even login and I am in the trial period, i followed all the instructions but to no avail was I successful. I sent an email to cancel my trial, not sure if that will work. According to their documentation you can only cancel from within the app. Well i cant even get in and based on all the other reviews I dont want to be bombarded with ads. I just want t
  9. [R1] 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.
  10. [R3] Fishbox 3/5 · US Used to prefer this over Fishbrain: I’ve had this app for about a year if not a little longer, and loved it because of the fishing forecast it showed, now all of a sudden everything even where to go fishing is behind a subscription. It seemed like this happened overnight because I’ve even used these features this summer. I liked the forecast feature so much I used this over Fishbrain but reading o
  11. [R14] Fishbox 4/5 · US I would give it 5 star: I would give it 5 stars but it cost money which I don’t blame them but to use the map that other people document it it’s just unfair in my opinion
  12. [R16] 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
  13. [R9] Fishbox 3/5 · US Works: Works as long as people add their own experience
  14. [R38] Fishbox 2/5 · US Low data: This app don’t have very much data on fishing spots or very many recorded catches for spots on my area. Fish brain is better.
  15. [R52] Fishbox 1/5 · US Useless: I wanted to use this app for Ontario (GTA -Waterloo). It shows fishing spots but absolutely no data in there. It doesn't say what fish to catch, no ratings, no review, adm the forecast is for most of the fishing spots the same. Useless AI forecast.
  16. [R60] Fishbox 1/5 · US Just a sales pitch: We’ve all seen this before. You download an app just to see what information it has and it makes you fill out your life story over 20 screens. Then it does this whole calculating what’s best for you “dog and pony show” only to pop up with a screen for $9.99 a week, $29.99 a year or $79.99 lifetime. You’ve just wasted five minutes of your life just to be able to X out of the app
  17. [R64] Fishbrain 1/5 · US Everything is a paywall: Useless app unless you pay for the subscription
  18. [R75] Fishbrain 3/5 · US Since when do I have to pay to see other peoples catches: The app was originally amazing used to be able to see what catches other people caught at a spot. Now I have to pay the premium in order to see any catches that anyone is caught. Everything in the app requires a premium pretty much except for posting catches.
  19. [R17] Fishbox 5/5 · US Awesome: It is insanely accurate and really good for knowing where to fish and went to fish
  20. [R32] Fishbox 1/5 · US Wrong info: I have never got a correct information from this app. They’ve been wrong about Tides. They have been wrong about whether they have been wrong about the fish bite. I’m no longer going to have this subscription as soon as I figure out how to do that.
  21. [R51] Fishbox 5/5 · US Loven it: Love that they tell me the time that the fish would bite.
  22. [R62] Fishbrain 5/5 · US Insane app: I shocked how good this app is it basically is a cheat code and has really helped me level up my game. Their BiteTime is actually very accurate and I’ve caught many more fish in days when the bitetime is high. Plus I love the fact you can check what people have logged in certain spots. This definitely deserves 5 stars.
  23. [R18] 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
  24. [R22] 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

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