Terrible app, even worse customer service
Outdated and Unusable: The Swellnet app is a dinosaur. It is clunky, unintuitive, and requires far too many clicks just to get a basic update. It’s so poorly designed that I ended up having to save a web link to my iPhone home screen because the actual app I was paying for was essentially useless. I’ve cancelled and resubscribed over the years hoping for improvements, but it never gets better.
Deceptive Subscription Practices: They operate with zero transparency. There is no courtesy "heads-up" that your annual subscription is about to renew. I hadn't used the service in nine months and completely forgot I had an active account until the money was yanked from my bank.
Non-Existent Customer Support: When I reached out to resolve the issue, they went radio silent. I sent multiple emails over two weeks and was completely ignored until I pushed for a response. When they finally did reply, it was a one-sentence dismissal citing their "Terms and Conditions."
They hide behind the "small Australian business" label when it suits them, but they have zero regard for customer loyalty or basic service standards. They are happy to pocket your money for a service you aren't using and then ignore you when you ask for a fair resolution.
Verdict: Save your money and your sanity. Use Surfline or literally anything else.
Deceptive Subscription Practices: They operate with zero transparency. There is no courtesy "heads-up" that your annual subscription is about to renew. I hadn't used the service in nine months and completely forgot I had an active account until the money was yanked from my bank.
Non-Existent Customer Support: When I reached out to resolve the issue, they went radio silent. I sent multiple emails over two weeks and was completely ignored until I pushed for a response. When they finally did reply, it was a one-sentence dismissal citing their "Terms and Conditions."
They hide behind the "small Australian business" label when it suits them, but they have zero regard for customer loyalty or basic service standards. They are happy to pocket your money for a service you aren't using and then ignore you when you ask for a fair resolution.
Verdict: Save your money and your sanity. Use Surfline or literally anything else.
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Swellnet Pro
Best Christmas present I’ve ever received . Made me realise how lucky I am to NOT live on the Gold Coast 🤣. ( Thanks to the cameras ). Seriously though , great to get a surf report at the crack of dawn.
Swellnet
Very poor app compared to windows version
Awesome
This app is perfect for looking at for the surf. Pretty good
Super useful!! But
I love how there is a review of the surf for each beach posted every day and the cams are great. But you could add more cams around for other beaches even the ones around the same place like Seaford bowl which is a very popular surfing area in South Australia and many others. More cams would improve Swellnet a lot.
Please think about this and adding more cams thanks
Please think about this and adding more cams thanks
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Response from developer
Thanks for the review! Glad you find it useful :) I'll forward your feedback to the team.
Not working
Doesn’t open and hasn’t opened for months now… Definitely switching to Surfline
Broken
This app will no longer open on my phone. Tried deleting and reinstalling to no success
Paul
I have joined for a week to see if I l like it. you pay the money to get a live feed from the cameras but half of them don’t work or they only start at 9 o’clock which is quite poor because most people serve before nine.
APP KEEPS CRASHING
I can’t even open the app with out it crashing, iPhone 13 Pro fully updated and same situation on my iPad Air 11. Can you please fix this and then I’ll review it properly. I’ve been a pro member for 2 years and this has only just started happening!!!!!
Response from developer
Hi BigDannaDgiB, I believe this was due to iOS 18, it caused launch issues for some users. What fixed it for me was a reboot of my iPhone - everything worked normally after that. We've just released v3.0.0 which should address this issue going forward. Thanks for your feedback!
App is so buggy
For the amount paid, this app is way too buggy. Sometimes it doesn’t open, often you have to close it and re-start the app. Some camera’s don’t render.
It’s as sloppy as the forecaster notes.
It’s as sloppy as the forecaster notes.
Good, when it works (rarely)
The app has potential, but its performance is inconsistent at best. Frequent crashes, especially upon opening, have persisted for months, making it unusable. This pattern suggests that regular maintenance and updates have been neglected, which is disappointing.
If the developers address these issues, it would also be great to see the addition of a dark mode. The current design is harsh on the eyes, particularly when reviewing reports early in the morning. A more user-friendly interface, combined with improved stability, could make this app far more effective and enjoyable to use.
If the developers address these issues, it would also be great to see the addition of a dark mode. The current design is harsh on the eyes, particularly when reviewing reports early in the morning. A more user-friendly interface, combined with improved stability, could make this app far more effective and enjoyable to use.
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Response from developer
Hey mad554, You're correct that maintenance was put on hold for some time. We had to undergo a major codebase overhaul when issues arose with iOS 18 - it took us longer than expected. We've just released v3.0 which addresses stability and hopefully gets everything working smooth again. Our regular maintenance cadence will resume now. Thanks for your review and suggestions, I'll share it with our team.
App stoped working
This is the second time I couldn’t open the app because n my iPhone , 3 days this week!
A few weeks ago, I have the same problem , how can I stop my subscription?
A few weeks ago, I have the same problem , how can I stop my subscription?
Response from developer
Hi tumctop, iOS 18 was found to cause launch issues with some users. What fixed it for me was a reboot of my iPhone. We've just released v3.0.0 which should address this issue going forward. To stop an in-app subscription you can can cancel it via Settings -> Apple Account -> Subscriptions. If you purchased via our website you'll need to login and cancel in your account screen.
Website is much better than the app
The app does not let you easily pick a surf cam. The cams don’t load easily. I usually use the website and not the app.
Dubious reports
Good usability, etc. However, all too often the surf reports fail to match conditions on the ground. I emailed twice, asking for clarification on how these reports are produced (they're written in such a way as to suggest local observation, even though the reliability would suggest otherwise...), but both emails went unanswered. So, make of this what you will.
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Waste of money
App is slow. Couldn’t see that the cam I wanted for a holiday was offline before paying for use. Waste of money.
SURF SCAM & APP SMEAR
It seems this mob spent more time with lawyers & legal representation to allow this app smear to be downloaded I’ve Just paid for a monthly subscription clicked on the spot I wanted to look at, nothing? not a thing’ blank screen’ clicked on other places no worries’ all works’ I’m already disappointed’ paid $10.99c I read about this In reviews, but I didn’t expect it too happen instantly’ Couldn’t get a refund with the link swellnet sent! So had to call apple to get my money back!
Surfers ain’t surfers anymore guys’
Their sharks in dolphin skins..
Surfers ain’t surfers anymore guys’
Their sharks in dolphin skins..
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Grant robilliard
Hi guys , I like your much more honest approach to surf reporting and surf forecasting than other big surf websites ..
Its vital to keep real .
When websites go after clickbait they lose their soul.
Surfers feel “ connected “ when the truth is told .
So far , I’m really enjoying Swellnet
Thanks Heaps
Cheers grant
Its vital to keep real .
When websites go after clickbait they lose their soul.
Surfers feel “ connected “ when the truth is told .
So far , I’m really enjoying Swellnet
Thanks Heaps
Cheers grant
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Swellnet App
I want to cancel my subscription for this App because the view is too small on my iPhone . However there isn’t any My Account on the App to cancel it. I downloaded the App from the Swellnet website.
Sharon Hulme
Sharon Hulme
Can’t see some cams
Can’t see some of my favourite cams due to them upgrading them
Response from developer
Hi Jukebox, please let us know which cams are giving you trouble and we'll look into. Email: ios-feedback@swellnet.com
Keeping in touch and up to date.
Swellnet allows me to be up to date with current surf conditions. This is very much appreciated by a surfer who does not spend as much time as he would like at the beach.
Also, a very good predictor of new swells and weather conditions. This has allowed me to make the most of the limited time I get to hit the water.
Also, a very good predictor of new swells and weather conditions. This has allowed me to make the most of the limited time I get to hit the water.
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Response from developer
Thanks for the great review Stezman, we appreciate your support! 👍
