First, let's go over what features are similar between each system in both functionality and approach.
Cloud-based: Dockwa was born in the cloud, where as Dockmaster started by making on-premises software and expanded to the cloud with Dockmaster Anywhere this year. Being in the cloud is important because it allows you to use and update your data from anywhere in the world.
Transient & Long-Term Reservations: Both platforms can manage transactions for a range of inquiry and contract types including transient, long-term, seasonal, and storage.
Secure Payment Processing: Both platforms use encrypted credit card payment processing and paperless boater invoicing.
Driving Revenue: With a built-in network of hundreds of thousands of boaters, key partnerships with industry leaders like BoatUS and Raymarine, and our own highly-trafficked review site at Marinas.com, Dockwa is the better choice if driving demand for your marina is one of your goals. On average, Dockwa increases a marina's net operating income by 20%.
Customer Communications: Both systems offer embeddable website forms for inquiries, but Dockwa has more communication options for a better end-to-end customer experience, including in-app messaging and automatic payment reminders.
Automated Reservations, Invoicing, and Billing: Dockwa is the only marina management software that truly automates the reservation/invoicing/payment process from start to finish. With Dockmaster Anywhere, you get a lot of automation, but still have to take some time-consuming manual steps. For example, Dockwa has the ability to automate a lot of the back-end processes, including auto-confirming reservations and automatically setting black-out dates.
Accounting: Both systems can work with accounting software like Quickbooks. Dockwa currently handles that through an export, whereas Dockmaster Anywhere has a direct integration to Quickbooks Online.
Pricing: We are transparent and consistent.
Dockwa has transparent pricing on its website so you know you're getting the same deal as other marinas. Dockmaster Anywhere does not share its pricing upfront.
When considering pricing, make sure to ask about how credit card processing fees are set up. Dockwa has a flat transparent fee for all transactions – no blended rates, no qualified vs. unqualified rates.
Dockwa fully refunds the fees for any boater cancellations so you won't get stuck footing that bill.
Some marinas opt to run Dockwa and Dockmaster Anywhere side-by-side to get the best of both systems. If that's the right path for you, you can use Dockwa as a marketing and demand generation tool, getting access to those hundreds of thousands of boaters, and Dockmaster Anywhere as your management tool that has a physical point of sale option. You may not need all of that, but if you do there are marinas seeing success using both.
Because Dockmaster Anywhere is new, there aren't a lot of reviews yet of it online. The reviews below compare Dockwa to the original on-premises Dockmaster. We will update this when reviews of the new cloud-based software are available.
“[Dockwa] has cut our time immensely when making a reservation [by removing the need for] the related paperwork. The ease of looking up customer and boat information, changing reservation dates and other important information is amazing. It also cuts down on the office staff’s time relating to deposits...I wish we started using Dockwa when it was first developed.”
Robert Bori
Harbormaster, Village of Sag Harbor
“If you have any slips at all that you want to fill, list on Dockwa!”
Ian Wilkinson
General Manager, Foss Harbor Marina
“Dockwa has made our lives a lot easier. With Dockwa, we don't have to worry about filling the marina, can interact with our boaters digitally, and have streamlined our billing and accounting processes. We're also able to spend more time outdoors on the docks, since we have everything we need to manage our slips on Dockwa's mobile app.”
Greg Polcari
Dockmaster, MacDougalls Cape Cod Marine Service
“Dockwa is the best thing that has happened to my marina!! Now I can take reservations from anywhere in the world (literally) right from my phone, instead of being tied down to my office and reservation book. The secure credit card system saves me from taking credit cards over the phone, and left on file for quick and easy adjustments for those who choose to extend their island stay. The Dockwa team has been fantastic helping in the training of my staff and has been available 24/7. The process is so quick and easy, even my ancient mariners love its simplicity! This is the best thing that has happened to the marina reservation world!!”
Breezy Griener
General Manager, Ballard's Marina
“Signing up with Dockwa was one of the best business decisions ever made for our marina. The reservation system is easy to use, provides a wealth of information for tracking and marketing purposes, but most of all boaters can reach us anytime.”
Cliff Bootle
Marina and Fuel Director, Treasure Cay Marina
“I can't say enough about Dockwa and the way it is tailored to the needs of boaters and marina management. This seamless app captures all the boaters' information and payment for my staff without spending time on the phone. I can review, communicate and confirm with my mobile device which has been a valuable asset. The boater can send messages through Dockwa for any special requests when making a reservation. Our marina has had an increase in transient occupancy all due to Dockwa's 24/7 online reservation capabilities. From the start, Dockwa has proved to be a valuable tool in capturing transient vessels from nearby competition. So much so, we strictly use Dockwa for all our transient reservations.”
Denis Frain
Director of Marina Operations, Gulfport Marina
Dockwa’s advanced marina management software is flexible enough to fit the needs of your marina, whether it be small or large, private or municipal, inland or oceanside. With Dockwa’s advanced toolbelt of features, you’ll be well-equipped to tackle your goals of operational efficiency, marina growth, and customer satisfaction. Explore our additional features below.