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 Scribble started by making on-premises software and expanded to the cloud with MarinaGo. 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 platform use encrypted credit card payment processing and paperless boater invoicing.
Contract management: Dockwa and MarinaGo have a similar approach to streamlining contract management with an end-to-end digital management process including digital signatures.
Driving Revenue: With a built in network of hundreds of thousands of boaters, including an exclusive partnership with BoatUS and our own highly trafficked review site at Marinas.com, Dockwa is the better choice if driving demand for your marina is a goal. On average, Dockwa increases a marina's Net operating income by 20%.
Customer Communications: Because we are both the marina-side interface and the boater-side, Dockwa provides a better experience for your boaters and a wider range of communication tools for you, including: Embeddable forms for 24/7 booking, messaging tools in-app, automatic invoicing reminders, and customizable email templates for pre-arrival, billing, post-departure and review requests.
Automated Invoicing and Billing: Dockwa is the only marina management software that truly automates the billing/invoicing/payment collection/receipt process start to finish. With MarinaGo, you still have to take some manual steps to batch and send out invoices.
Utility metering and fuel tank integration: MarinaGo offers utility metering and fuel tank integration that isn't yet available in Dockwa. If these are key needs, you'd either want to run the systems side by side or choose MarinaGo.
Service Module: If you need to manage work orders or inventory from your core system, MarinaGo has a service module called Pure Service that can handle that.
Point of Sale: Both Dockwa and MarinaGo have customizable digital point of sale systems with options for both one-time and recurring charges. But MarinaGo has better options for more complex point of sale needs like multi-currency and bar-code scanner integration.
Pricing: Dockwa has transparent pricing on its website so you know you're getting the same deal as other marinas. MarinaGo does not share its pricing upfront.
Free Support: MarinaGo has the same support options as Dockwa but the barriers to getting help are higher. Unlike Dockwa there’s no searchable help documentation for quick reference and the only way to get in touch is to fill out a form and wait or call during business hours. Most importantly, Dockwa support is free and MarinaGo charges for it.
Some marinas opt to run Dockwa and MarinaGo 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 MarinaGo as your management tool that integrates a more complex point of sale, as well as the service module, and fuel dock and utility metering. You may not need all of that, but if you do there are a number of marinas seeing success using both.
If you'd like a second opinion (who wouldn't?), you can take a look at a number of third party review sites to get further details on the strengths and weaknesses of each platform.
“[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 tool belt of features, you’ll be well-equipped to tackle your goals of operational efficiency, marina growth and customer satisfaction. Explore our additional features below.