Honest comparison

GilledIt vs FishAngler

Which Social Fishing App Wins?

Last updated: March 2026

FishAngler is a social fishing app with 2.5 million users worldwide. It has a decent social feed, fish ID for 300+ species, and maps with Garmin depth charts. However, like most competitors, it is US-focused with limited UK relevance. FishAngler has also drawn criticism for moving previously free features behind a VIP paywall. GilledIt offers a comparable social experience with better UK species coverage, a built-in marketplace, weekly challenges, and genuinely free core features.

Feature by feature

Side-by-Side Comparison

How GilledIt and FishAngler compare across every feature that matters to UK anglers.

FeatureGilledItFishAngler
Catch Logging
Social Feed
Fish Species ID150+ UK300+ global
Marketplace
Weekly Challenges
Leaderboards
30+ Badges
Messaging / DMs
Interactive Map
Depth ChartsVIP only
Groups / ClubsPlanned
Offline Mode
UK Focus
Free Core Features
PriceFree + PremiumFree + VIP $9.99/mo

Advantages

Where GilledIt Wins

UK-Focused Species and Methods

FishAngler has 300+ species globally but lacks depth on UK coarse species and British fishing methods. GilledIt is purpose-built for UK anglers with 150+ British species and support for float, feeder, ledgering, fly, lure, and sea fishing.

Built-In Marketplace

FishAngler has no marketplace. GilledIt lets anglers buy and sell catches and tackle directly within the app with secure Stripe payments. This replaces scattered Facebook groups and classified ads.

Gamification That Keeps You Fishing

FishAngler has no leaderboards, no XP system, and no badges. GilledIt offers weekly challenges, leaderboards across five metrics, 30+ achievement badges, and an XP levelling system that rewards consistent fishing.

Genuinely Free Core Features

FishAngler has been criticised by users for moving previously free features behind its VIP paywall ($9.99/month). Depth charts, exact catch locations, and 3D maps all require VIP. GilledIt keeps core features (logging, feed, map, challenges, messaging) free.

Being honest

Where FishAngler Wins

We believe in honest comparisons. Here is where the competition has an edge.

Larger Global Community (2.5M Users)

FishAngler has 2.5 million users worldwide. If you want the largest possible social network for fishing, FishAngler has a bigger community, though it is heavily US-weighted.

Groups and Club Pages

FishAngler supports fishing groups and business pages, letting clubs and tackle shops create their own presence. GilledIt does not yet offer groups or club pages, though this is planned.

The verdict

Which Should You Choose?

Choose FishAngler if:

You want a large global fishing community with group and club features. You fish in the US and do not mind paying $9.99/month for VIP features.

Choose GilledIt if:

You are a UK angler who wants a social fishing app with a marketplace, weekly challenges, leaderboards, and genuinely free core features. You want an app built for British waters and species.

FishAngler has a bigger community and group features, but its VIP paywall and US focus limit its value for UK anglers. GilledIt offers better UK coverage, a marketplace, gamification, and free core features.

FAQ: GilledIt vs FishAngler

FishAngler has a free tier, but many features including depth charts, exact catch locations, and 3D maps require FishAngler VIP at $9.99/month. Users have criticised the app for moving previously free features behind the paywall. GilledIt keeps core features free.

FishAngler is primarily designed for US anglers. While it has a large species database (300+), it lacks depth on UK coarse fishing methods and British-specific features. GilledIt is purpose-built for UK anglers with 150+ British species and all UK fishing methods.

For UK anglers, GilledIt is the best FishAngler alternative. It offers a social feed, marketplace, weekly challenges, leaderboards, and 150+ UK species. Core features are free with no VIP paywall.

No, FishAngler does not have a marketplace for buying and selling tackle or catches. GilledIt includes a built-in marketplace with Stripe-powered payments, offer negotiation, and seller dashboards.

Try GilledIt Free

The all-in-one UK fishing app. Catch logging, social feed, marketplace, challenges, and 150+ British species. Switch in two minutes.

No credit card required. No subscription needed.