Comparison

Dorsal Shark Reports vs SurfersCompass

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

Head to head
About

Dorsal Shark Reports

This app provides real-time shark sighting and attack alerts to beachgoers and authorities. It aggregates reports from official channels, the public, aerial surveillance, and media outlets, offering a community-based safety solution for coastal areas.

Highlights
  • Real-time shark alerts
  • Community-based reporting
  • Official and public reports
  • Aerial surveillance data
  • Submit own sightings
  • Location-based notifications
Read full description

Dorsal is the worlds most advanced shark reporting and alerts solution. It is a free community based shark alert solution that allows beachgoers and authorities to immediately alert others to shark sightings or attacks in their area. Currently used by over 250,000 people, the Dorsal solution features reports from official channels, the public, Dorsal aerial surveillance partners and over 100 media outlets. Dorsal is now available in Australia, the USA and Hawaii. Key features: Choose from Australia, USA, Hawaii, Réunion Search your local area to see if there have been any shark sightings in the last 12 hours Search Around You, via Map or List view Submit your own sightings to warn others, including video and image uploading In addition to the free service, there is also a subscription service for $9.99/year that removes the in app ads and allows you to receive automatic push notifications of sightings within your GPS location or favourite locations. The amount will be charged to your iTunes account and may vary by country and you will see the total price before completing payment. To avoid renewal, you must turn off auto-renew at least 24 hours before your subscription ends which you can do by turning off auto-renew at any time from your iTunes account settings. Note: Dorsal app can track your location while in the background, so you can continue to use your iPhone for other tasks (Continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life). For more information, please do not hesitate to get in contact via info@dorsalwatch.com Terms of Service: https://www.dorsalwatch.com/termcondition Privacy Policy: https://www.dorsalwatch.com/privacy

About

SurfersCompass

This app offers expert-led surf training programs focusing on fitness, strength, mobility, and breathwork. Improve your technique, build mindset, and enhance endurance with structured video sessions and drills for all skill levels.

Highlights
  • Structured video training
  • Surf fitness and strength programs
  • Mindset and breathwork sessions
  • Technique improvement drills
  • Expert surf coaching
Features
Read full description

Surfers Compass is your all-in-one surf training app designed to help you level up your surfing—whether you're a beginner or an experienced rider. Access expert-led surf coaching programs that combine surf fitness, surf strength, surf mobility, and breathwork to improve every aspect of your performance in and out of the water. Explore a wide range of surf workouts, surf drills, and surf movement sessions tailored to your goals. Enhance your surf technique with step-by-step breakdowns, build your mindset with focused sessions, and improve your breath control for better endurance in the water. Whether you're looking to boost your paddling power, nail your bottom turns, or stay calm under pressure, Surfers Compass is your ultimate guide to becoming a better surfer. Features: Structured video training for all levels (Beginner to Advanced) Categories including Surf Coaching, Surf Strength, Mindset, Breathwork, and more Expert tips to improve your surfing technique and performance Improve your Surfing on Every Level World class Surf coaching - At your fingers tips Surf Technique. Movement. Breath. Mindset By downloading this app you accept SurfersCompass's privacy policy and terms of use. https://surfersgym.orderofn.com/privacy-policy/ https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Dorsal Shark Reports4 screens
SurfersCompass4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: SurfersCompass at none against Dorsal Shark Reports's shown. SurfersCompass also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 73%) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 2 months). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model 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. Dorsal Shark Reports sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $9.99 per year and SurfersCompass sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Dorsal Shark Reports ships an update every 2 months, SurfersCompass fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and October 27, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Dorsal Shark Reports versus SurfersCompass: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDorsal Shark ReportsSurfersCompass
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (104 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews73.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings104 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS15.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size36 MB45 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperBluebottle Digital Pty. Ltd.OrderOfN Solutions

Customer experience

Dorsal Shark Reports

All ratings104 ratings
Positive88.5%
Neutral2.9%
Negative8.7%
Written reviews89 reviews
Positive73.0%
Neutral3.4%
Negative23.6%

SurfersCompass

Written reviews6 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Dorsal Shark Reports

Reported bugs

15 issues
  • App crashes frequently
  • Cannot see pictures/videos without subscription
  • Facebook login returns server error
  • New user registration doesn't send email codes
  • Unable to reset password
Show 10 more
  • App opens then flashes back to sign-in page
  • Unable to log in
  • Reset password doesn't work
  • Set up new account says account exists
  • Crashed after first update
  • Super buggy after most recent update
  • App crashes after update
  • Scrolls back to top of list after viewing sighting
  • Can't log back in after update
  • No option to reset password

Requested features

10 requests
  • More people to post sightings
  • More reports from QLD
  • Allow users to sponsor/name sharks
  • Show size of sharks detected
  • Immediate update from aerial surveillance
Show 5 more
  • Update for iPhoneX
  • Extreme alarm feature
  • World-wide coverage
  • Better Florida access
  • Dark mode option

SurfersCompass

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Dorsal Shark Reports

Subscriptions1
  • Dorsal Pro (Yearly)$9.991 Year
2 purchases

SurfersCompass

Subscriptions2
  • Premium for Monthly Membership$9.991 Month
  • Premium for Yearly Membership$79.991 Year

Questions

Is Dorsal Shark Reports free?
Dorsal Shark Reports is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is SurfersCompass free?
SurfersCompass is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Dorsal Shark Reports or SurfersCompass have ads?
Dorsal Shark Reports shows ads; SurfersCompass does not.
Which is updated more often, Dorsal Shark Reports or SurfersCompass?
Dorsal Shark Reports ships an update every 2 months, and SurfersCompass fortnightly. Most recently, Dorsal Shark Reports was updated on November 1, 2026 and SurfersCompass on October 27, 2026.

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