The Fishbrain Alternative That Measures Your Catch
Short answer: CatchVault is a free iPhone fishing app that identifies your catch (335+ species, offline), measures it from a photo with LiDAR, and tells you the size and bag limits for that water in 48 states. Pro is $39.99/year, about half of Fishbrain's $79.99 annual plan. Fishbrain is still the stronger pick if you want Navionics depth charts, a large community catch map, or an Android app.
Fishbrain details from its US App Store listing, checked November 7, 2026.
CatchVault vs Fishbrain
| Feature | CatchVault | Fishbrain |
|---|---|---|
| Measure fish length from a photo | LiDAR on iPhone Pro (free, unlimited); AI estimate on other iPhones | –Not listed |
| Measurement method shown on each catch | Manual, AI, or LiDAR tag | –Not listed |
| Photo species identification | 335+ species, works offline | 300+ species |
| State fishing regulations | 48 states, by species and water | 30+ states |
| Public land map | All 50 states + DC, by managing agency | Parks & government land layer |
| AI fishing assistant (chat) | 5 free messages/day, unlimited with Pro | –AI bite forecasts, no chat listed |
| Gear setup recommendations | Rod, reel, line & lures by species and budget | –Not listed |
| Depth / nautical charts | –Not offered | Navionics & C-MAP |
| Fishing forecasts | 4 days free; 7 days + hourly with Pro | BiteTime forecasts |
| Android app | –Coming soon (iOS today) | Yes |
| Paid plan (US App Store) | $6.99/mo or $39.99/yr, 1-week free trial | From $12.99/mo or $79.99/yr |
“Not listed” means Fishbrain's App Store listing doesn't describe the feature as of November 7, 2026. Compare with FishAngler and Fishing Points too →
The one thing Fishbrain doesn't list
Fishbrain's logbook tracks your catches; CatchVault also measures them. Take one photo and the iPhone's LiDAR scanner gives a true length, logged with the species and the regulation for that water, so you know right away whether it's a keeper.
How LiDAR measurement works →Why anglers switch to CatchVault
Measure your catch, don't guess it →
CatchVault turns one photo into a length using the LiDAR scanner on iPhone Pro models, free and unlimited. Other iPhones get an AI estimate. Every catch is tagged Manual, AI, or LiDAR.
Regulations for 48 states →
Size limits, bag limits, and seasons by species, plus pages for individual lakes and rivers with their own rules. Fishbrain's listing covers 30+ states.
Half the price for Pro
CatchVault Pro is $39.99/year with a one-week free trial. Fishbrain lists its annual plan at $79.99.
Species ID with no signal →
CatchVault's identification model runs on your phone, so it works at the lake with no cell service.
Public land everywhere →
Public land shaded across all 50 states and DC, color-coded by managing agency. Tap any parcel for its name and access.
Gear setups for the fish you're after →
Pick your water, species, method, and budget to get a matched rod, reel, line, and lure setup.
When Fishbrain is the better choice
- You fish from a boat and need depth charts. Fishbrain includes Garmin Navionics and C-MAP charts. CatchVault doesn't offer depth charts.
- You want the biggest community catch map. Fishbrain has years of shared catches behind its map; CatchVault's community is newer.
- You're on Android. CatchVault is iPhone-only for now.
Fishbrain alternative: common questions
Is Fishbrain free?
Fishbrain is free to download and use, and Fishbrain Pro unlocks its more advanced features. As of November 7, 2026, the US App Store lists Fishbrain plans from $12.99 per month, $41.99 per quarter, or $79.99 per year. Its listing doesn't say which features require Pro.
Is Fishbrain Pro worth it?
It depends on what you fish for. Fishbrain's strengths are its large community catch map and Navionics and C-MAP depth charts, which matter most to boat anglers hunting new water. If you mainly want to identify and measure your catch and know the rules where you fish, CatchVault covers that for free, with Pro at $39.99/year.
What is a good free alternative to Fishbrain?
CatchVault is free on iPhone and includes photo species ID for 335+ species (works offline), LiDAR length measurement on iPhone Pro models, fishing regulations for 48 states, a public land map for all 50 states, and catch logging. FishAngler is another free option with a large species ID library.
Does Fishbrain measure fish?
Fishbrain's App Store listing (checked November 7, 2026) doesn't mention measuring fish from a photo; its logbook records your catches and stats. CatchVault measures length from the photo using the iPhone's LiDAR scanner, or with an AI estimate on iPhones without LiDAR, and tags each catch with the method used.
Fishbrain vs FishAngler: which is better?
Fishbrain leans on its community catch map and depth charts; FishAngler offers AI Fish ID for 866+ species in its free account and a VIP plan at $49.99/year. Neither listing mentions photo-based length measurement, which is CatchVault's main difference. See the full comparison of all three.
Try CatchVault free
Identify, measure, and check the rules for your next catch, all from one photo. Pro includes a one-week free trial.
Fishbrain is a trademark of its owner. CatchVault is not affiliated with or endorsed by Fishbrain. Comparison based on Fishbrain's public App Store listing as of November 7, 2026.