Comparison

SurfTrackr vs Surf Reader

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

SurfTrackr

Log and analyze your surf sessions to improve your skills. Record details like location, conditions, and equipment, then review your progress with charts and statistics. Stay motivated and organized with a comprehensive surfing journal.

Highlights
  • Log surf session details
  • Track progress over time
  • Record board and break information
  • Add notes and photos
  • View charts and statistics
  • Organize sessions by location
  • Export journal data
Read full description

Perfect for both experienced surfers and those looking to improve, SurfTrackr is an easy-to-use surfing journal built specifically for life in the water. Record each surf session with as much detail as you want, then review everything in your timeline. Open any session to see the full picture and quickly track your progress over time. Log the details that matter: - Date, time, duration, and session rating - Board used, including surfboards, windsurfers, and SUP setups - Surf break and location details - Notes, condition notes, and photos - Tide, surf height, wave type, and wave direction - Weather and wind context during your session Organize your surfing life: - Keep a complete timeline of sessions for each board - Add favorite surf spots and review sessions by location - Share location details with friends - Launch driving directions to get to the break faster Stay motivated and keep improving: - View charts and statistics to spot trends - Export your journal data whenever you need it - Customize the app with themes that match your style Install SurfTrackr today and watch your surfing improve. Full functionality requires an annual subscription. Terms of use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Surf Reader

Features
Read full description

Surf Reader is a pocket-sized coaching companion built around Martin Dunn's 40-year surf-coaching method. Read the break, set your intention before you paddle out, then rate the surf you actually had — and watch your wave-selection skill grow session by session. MAP THE BREAK Sand banks shift, rips appear, peaks drift. Turn what you see in the lineup into a saved beach map you can pull up before every paddle-out. Eight break types, drawn your way. PLAN WITH INTENTION "Just have fun" is a great mantra and a poor session plan. A guided 7-question flow gives you one specific thing to work on each surf. REVIEW HONESTLY Rate your session the moment you're back on the sand. Surf Reader closes the loop between what you planned and what you actually did. WATCH YOUR SKILL RISE Every session feeds a simple picture of your progress, so better wave selection becomes a habit — not a guess. BUILT FOR SURFERS • 5 languages — English, Español, Português, 日本語, Français • 8 break types to map • Local-first: your sessions, plans and maps stay on your device — no account required Built on Martin Dunn's coaching from eSurfR.com, MartinDunn.com.au, and Martin Dunn Surf Camps.

Screenshots

SurfTrackr4 screens
Surf Reader3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Surf Reader at none against SurfTrackr's 9. Surf Reader also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 3 months). On price and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. SurfTrackr sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 3 months. Surf Reader asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SurfTrackr ships an update every 3 months, Surf Reader every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
SurfTrackr versus Surf Reader: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSurfTrackrSurf Reader
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.2 (30 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews40.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings30 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS18.616.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size21 MB85 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDesign Chaos Pty LtdAshley Martin Dunn

In-app purchases

9 purchases

SurfTrackr

Subscriptions2
  • Quarterly$2.993 Months
  • Annual3 Days trial$3.991 Year
One-time7
  • No Advertising$0.99
  • Multiple Surfboards$0.99
  • Photos$0.99
Show 4 more
  • Weather Conditions$1.99
  • Color Themes$1.99
  • SurfTrackr Advanced$2.99
  • SurfTrackr Pro Lifetime$19.99
None

Surf Reader

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SurfTrackr free?
SurfTrackr is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Surf Reader free?
Surf Reader is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do SurfTrackr or Surf Reader have ads?
SurfTrackr shows ads; Surf Reader does not.
Which is updated more often, SurfTrackr or Surf Reader?
SurfTrackr ships an update every 3 months, and Surf Reader every 2 weeks. Most recently, SurfTrackr was updated on October 24, 2026 and Surf Reader on October 16, 2026.

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