Fish Scouter vs Fishbrain
Fishbrain is the biggest social catch log: anglers share catches, photos and baits, and Pro unlocks exact catch locations and depth maps. Fish Scouter is built around a forecast: every species scored 0–100 for the spot you are on, this hour, with the reasons. We make Fish Scouter; the Fishbrain facts below are from its own listing or site, checked 8 November 2026.
| Fish Scouter | Fishbrain | |
|---|---|---|
| Built around | A forecast: every species scored 0–100 for your spot, this hour, with the reasons | Social catch network, with maps and forecasts |
| Free tier | No — free trial, then a plan | Yes — free to download and use; Pro adds the best map tools (3-day Pro trial) |
| Paid price | Angler $9.99, Captain $19.99 and Guide $39.99 a month; yearly 20% off | App Store lists $12.99–$14.99 a month, $41.99 a quarter, $79.99 a year |
| Platforms | Web app on any phone or computer; native iPhone and Android apps in preparation | iPhone and iPad (iOS 18+); Android |
| Coverage | US only: every coast, the Great Lakes, fresh water in all 50 states | Worldwide community |
| Where spots come from | Public sources: NOAA-charted wrecks and obstructions, state artificial reefs, ramps, piers, bridges, jetties, kayak launches | Mostly members' logged catches; exact catch locations are Pro |
| Depth | NOAA bathymetry shading and contours (not for navigation) | Navionics and C-Map depth maps (Pro) |
| Regulations | Short summary per fish, linked to the state agency for the current rules | Local rules in the app for 30+ US states |
| GPX waypoints | Import on every plan; export on Captain and Guide | Private waypoints; GPX export not stated |
| Offline | Up to five saved map areas; catches queued without signal | Not stated |
Where Fishbrain is stronger
- A far larger community and catch history
- A free tier
- Worldwide coverage
- Regulations inside the app (it owns Fish Rules)
Where Fish Scouter is stronger
- A per-species forecast for the exact water, with reasons
- Charted public structure, not just logged catches
- Month-by-month season calendars for every water
- GPX export to plotters
- Other anglers' catches never shown at an exact spot
What is the difference between Fish Scouter and Fishbrain?
Fishbrain is the biggest social catch log: anglers share catches, photos and baits, and Pro unlocks exact catch locations and depth maps. Fish Scouter is built around a forecast: every species scored 0–100 for the spot you are on, this hour, with the reasons, plus charted public spots and season calendars for US waters.
Is Fishbrain free?
Fishbrain: Yes — free to download and use; Pro adds the best map tools (3-day Pro trial). Fish Scouter has no free tier; every plan starts with a free trial.
How much does Fishbrain cost compared with Fish Scouter?
Fishbrain: App Store lists $12.99–$14.99 a month, $41.99 a quarter, $79.99 a year, as listed on 8 November 2026. Fish Scouter: Angler $9.99, Captain $19.99 and Guide $39.99 a month, yearly 20% off.
Can I use Fish Scouter and Fishbrain together?
Yes. Many anglers use more than one app, and Fish Scouter's GPX import and export moves your marks between apps and plotters.
The longer write-up: Fish Scouter vs Fishbrain on the blog.
Sources
- Fishbrain — App Store listing
- Fishbrain Premium page
- Fish Scouter: the plans and features in the app, About.