Best kayak and SUP tracking apps (2026): compared
Waterspeed, Paddle Logger, Strava, Garmin Connect, Watersports Tracker and Paddle Ways compared for kayaking and stand up paddling: stroke rate, live location, route planning, watches supported and price model, as of November 2026.
By Paula Acebo
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For one-tap tracking on an Apple Watch with live location and route planning made for paddlers, pick Paddle Logger. For stroke rate from the wrist, best speeds and sessions that sync from a Garmin, Coros or Suunto watch, pick Waterspeed. If your runs and rides already live in Strava, it records kayak and SUP too, but it lists no stroke rate. To find where to launch, add Paddle Ways.
Compared as of November 2026, from each app’s US App Store page, Strava’s support pages and Garmin’s fēnix 8 owner’s manual, all read 12 November 2026, and, for Waterspeed, its help centre and its plans page. “Not listed” means we did not find the feature in those sources; the app may still have it. We make Waterspeed; corrections are welcome at support@waterspeedapp.com.
Which kayak and SUP tracking apps are there?
| App | Made for | Stroke rate | Live location for people ashore | Planning and conditions | Watches | Price model | App Store rating (US) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waterspeed | 30+ water sports, with kayak, canoe and SUP modes | Yes, on Apple Watch: works well for SUP, in beta for kayak | Yes, from iPhone, Android or Apple Watch (Pro) | Wind, weather and tide forecasts, wind alerts (Pro) | Apple Watch, Wear OS; Garmin, Coros and Suunto sync | Free; Pro and Ultra | 4.6 (1,137) |
| Paddle Logger | SUP, kayak, canoe, outrigger canoe, prone paddleboard | Not listed | Yes, PaddleLIVE with automatic alerts (subscription) | PaddlePLAN routes with off-course alerts (subscription); local wind and tide | Apple Watch, without the iPhone | Free; subscription | 4.7 (6,448) |
| Strava | 50+ sport types, with Kayak, Canoe, Stand Up Paddling and Rowing | Not listed | Yes, Beacon: free from the phone app, for subscribers from a watch | Routes tool; no wind or tide listed | Apple Watch, Garmin, Fitbit and other devices | Free; subscription | 4.8 (381,268) |
| Garmin Connect | Owners of a Garmin watch | Listed for the fēnix 8: stroke rate, strokes and distance per stroke | Not listed | Workouts and courses | Garmin only | Free with a Garmin device | 4.4 (59,805) |
| Watersports Tracker | Kayaking, canoe, rafting, SUP and other water sports | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Apple Watch | Free; Pro subscription | 4.8 (1,384) |
| Paddle Ways | Finding places to paddle by kayak, canoe, SUP or raft | Not listed | Not listed | Access points, streamflow, hazards and live weather (free); forecasts, wind maps, curated routes, tide charts and offline maps (Plus) | Not listed | Free; Plus | 4.4 (1,451) |
What does each app do well?
Waterspeed
Waterspeed records kayak, canoe and SUP sessions on iPhone, Android, Apple Watch or a Wear OS watch. The Apple Watch records with its own GPS when the iPhone stays ashore. With a Garmin, Coros or Suunto watch, record on the watch and the session syncs to Waterspeed automatically; this sync is in the free plan. After a paddle you see the track on the map, average and max speed, and heart rate with zones. Pro adds best speeds over set times and distances.
On Apple Watch it also counts strokes: strokes per minute live on the wrist, then total strokes, distance per stroke and stroke rate for each split. The help centre says this works well for SUP and is still in beta for kayak, surf ski, rowing, dragon boat and outrigger, so some counts can be wrong. Stroke count is in the free plan. Live location sharing, wind alerts, forecasts and automatic sharing to Strava are in Pro.
Less suited if: you want to plan a route on a map before you launch. Waterspeed does not list route planning.
Paddle Logger
Paddle Logger is built for paddlers: SUP, kayak, outrigger canoe, canoe and prone paddleboard. Its store page also names sailing and swimming. After setup you tap one button to start. The Apple Watch app works without the iPhone and uses the Action Button on Apple Watch Ultra. PaddleLIVE shares your location with family and friends and sends automatic alerts. PaddlePLAN lets you plot a route and warns you with alerts and haptics when you drift off course. There is local wind and tide information, a Race Mode with preset distances, and a logbook with route maps.
The subscription adds PaddleLIVE, PaddlePLAN, heart rate, speed, pace and splits, detailed graphs, and nautical miles and knots as units.
Less suited if: you want stroke rate (not listed), or you record on a Garmin, Coros or Suunto watch (not listed).
Strava
Strava records more than 50 sport types. Its support page lists Canoe, Stand Up Paddling, Kayak and Rowing among the water sports you can record with the mobile app. It works with Apple Watch, Garmin, Fitbit and many other devices, and it has by far the most App Store ratings of the six. Beacon shares your live location through a link with up to three safety contacts. Beacon is free from the Strava app on the phone, and subscribers can use it from compatible watches.
Less suited if: you want paddling numbers such as stroke rate or distance per stroke (not listed), or wind and tide for your spot (not listed).
Garmin Connect
Garmin Connect is Garmin’s app for its watches: you pair the phone with a compatible Garmin device. You record on the watch, then review the activity, your heart rate and your trends in the app. The Garmin activity profiles that Waterspeed syncs from include Stand Up Paddleboarding, Kayaking, Rowing and Whitewater. The fēnix 8 manual lists three data fields for paddle sports: stroke rate in strokes per minute, total strokes, and distance per stroke. Connect also syncs with Apple Health and Strava.
Less suited if: you do not own a Garmin device. The app works with one.
Watersports Tracker
Watersports Tracker is a logger for kayaking, canoe and rafting, SUP and other water sports. It shows distance, duration, max speed and average speed, with a session playback, notes and heart rate. It saves to Apple Health and gives audio feedback on distance and duration every mile or kilometre. Pro features come with a 3-, 6- or 12-month subscription.
Less suited if: you want stroke rate, live location for people ashore or wind information (none listed).
Paddle Ways
Paddle Ways is a map for kayakers, canoeists, paddleboarders and rafters. The free version shows access points and boat ramps, flow stations with streamflow, reported hazards and public land. It also has a trip tracker with a paddling journal and a tool to measure a route. Plus adds 10-day forecasts, curated routes, tide charts for coastal waters and offline maps. The store page says it is available in the USA, Canada, Ireland, the UK, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
Less suited if: you paddle outside those countries, or you want training numbers such as best speeds or stroke rate (not listed).
Which app should you pick?
Pick by what you paddle with and what you want to know after the session:
- One tap to start, on iPhone or Apple Watch, with route planning: Paddle Logger.
- Stroke rate and distance per stroke: Waterspeed on Apple Watch, or a Garmin watch that has these data fields, such as the fēnix 8.
- A Garmin, Coros or Suunto watch: Waterspeed syncs all three automatically, in the free plan.
- Someone ashore who follows you: Waterspeed (Pro), Paddle Logger (subscription) or Strava Beacon (free from the phone).
- Where to launch and what the river is doing: Paddle Ways.
- All your sports in one feed: Strava. Waterspeed can send your sessions there (Pro).
- More than paddling: Waterspeed covers 30+ water sports in one app.
How long and how fast is a typical paddle?
In the sessions recorded with Waterspeed from January to November 2026, an average kayak session was 8.1 km in 86 minutes, and an average SUP session was 6.5 km in 66 minutes. The average speed was 5.6 km/h for kayak and 5.9 km/h for SUP, with breaks included. These values come from 8,537 kayak sessions and 28,154 SUP sessions. See average speed by water sport for the other sports and the current values.
Which app counts paddle strokes?
Waterspeed counts strokes on Apple Watch: you see strokes per minute live, and afterwards stroke rate and distance per stroke for each split. It works well for SUP and is in beta for kayak. Garmin’s fēnix 8 manual lists stroke rate, strokes and distance per stroke as data fields for paddle sports. Paddle Logger, Strava, Watersports Tracker and Paddle Ways do not list stroke rate. See Paddle stroke rate and cadence.
Can I track kayaking with an Apple Watch?
Yes. Waterspeed has a Kayak / Canoe mode on Apple Watch and records with the watch’s own GPS, so the iPhone can stay ashore. Paddle Logger has an Apple Watch app that also works without the iPhone. Strava and Watersports Tracker also list Apple Watch support. See Waterspeed for Apple Watch.
Can someone follow my paddle live?
Yes. Three of the six apps list it. Waterspeed shares your live position from iPhone, Android or Apple Watch through a link that never changes (Pro). Paddle Logger has PaddleLIVE with automatic alerts (subscription). Strava Beacon sends a link to up to three safety contacts, free from the phone app. See Live tracking on the water.
