Comparison

WeatherLink vs Surf

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

Head to head
About

WeatherLink

Access real-time weather data from personal weather stations and explore a global network of shared weather information. View local forecasts, interactive charts, and historical data from businesses, schools, and hobbyists worldwide.

Highlights
  • Access Davis Instruments weather station data
  • Explore global weather stations
  • View local forecasts
  • Real-time data
  • Interactive charts
  • Weather data sharing network
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

The WeatherLink app brings the Davis WeatherLink Network to your phone. Join the worldwide network of businesses, schools and hobbyists who have chosen to share their weather data with the world. WeatherLink lets you see your personal Davis Instruments weather station data and local forecasts, as well as explore other stations from around the world. Enjoy real time data, forecasts and interactive charts.

About

Surf

Get simple, accurate surf forecasts for over 7,000 breaks worldwide. Plan your sessions with detailed wave information, tide times, and mapping to find the best conditions and nearby spots. Access extended forecasts and custom alerts with premium features.

Highlights
  • Detailed surf forecasts
  • Wavefinder map
  • Live webcam links
  • Tide times
  • 12-day forecasts
  • Custom surf alerts
Features
Read full description

Surf-Forecast.com gives you simple, accurate and easy-to-read surf forecasts so you have the best chance of hitting those breaks when the waves are pumping. Built by surfers, for surfers, and trusted by millions of surfers for over 20 years, our updated app lets you see all your favorite surf spots at a glance. Providing detailed surf forecasts for over 7,000 breaks worldwide, our new features let you see further ahead than ever before - giving you plenty of advance warning for when those swells start coming in. Find the best surfing conditions near you and use the rating tool to find exactly when to go. – FREE App Features ⁃ Detailed surf forecasts ⁃ Wavefinder map ⁃ Live webcam links ⁃ Multi-swell component presentation ⁃ Tide times ⁃ Detailed mapping to locate nearby breaks – Surf Premium Benefits ⁃ Access to the full 16 days of our new Wavefinder feature ⁃ Hourly forecasts ⁃ 16 day forecasts ⁃ Custom surf alerts ⁃ Ad-free browsing on our website So what are you waiting for? Grab your board and get exploring. We’ll see you out there! For the full Terms and Conditions of this service please visit: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

WeatherLink4 screens
Surf4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Surf at 87% against WeatherLink's 22%. Surf also leads on rating (4.9 vs 2.7) and ratings volume (991 vs 220). WeatherLink's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2). On price, update cadence, ads and chart position 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. Surf sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. WeatherLink asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Surf holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 2.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 220 and 991 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 22% of WeatherLink's written reviews are positive against 87% of Surf's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

WeatherLink ships an update every 2 months, Surf every 6 weeks. Both last shipped on October 21, 2026.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
WeatherLink versus Surf: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterWeatherLinkSurf
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.7 (220 ratings)4.9 (991 ratings) — better
Positive reviews22.3% of reviews87.1% of reviews — better
Number of ratings220991 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 6 weeks — better
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationAd-supported — betterFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#133#120 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.615.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size99 MB138 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDavis Instruments Corp.Meteo365 Ltd.

Customer experience

WeatherLink

All ratings220 ratings
Positive35.9%
Neutral10.5%
Negative53.6%
Written reviews296 reviews
Positive22.3%
Neutral16.6%
Negative61.1%

Surf

All ratings940 ratings
Positive99.3%
Neutral0.1%
Negative0.6%
Written reviews124 reviews
Positive87.1%
Neutral3.2%
Negative9.7%

User reviews

WeatherLink

From 220 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Fast and reliable
  • 💡 Useful for monitoring local weather stations
  • 👍 Provides detailed weather data
  • 🚀 Works seamlessly with weather stations

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Crashes and freezes
  • 🔍 Inaccurate weather forecasts
  • 🔍 Unreliable data updates
  • 👎 Lacking key features like landscape mode on iPad
  • 💸 Subscription model not worth the value

Surf

From 991 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🌊 Accurate surf forecasts
  • 👍 Easy to use and navigate
  • 🗺️ Comprehensive coverage of locations
  • 🔍 Detailed information (swell, wind, tides, etc.)
  • 💰 Good value for subscription

Room to improve

  • 🔄 Inconsistent data updates
  • 🌊 Wave height/conditions not always accurate
  • 🏞️ Missing data for some locations (e.g. Great Lakes)
  • 🤔 Confusing or misleading surf ratings/forecasts

Bugs and requests

WeatherLink

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Login issues and lost station data
  • Incorrect temperature and rainfall data
  • Frequent crashes and app not loading
  • Live data not updating properly

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add landscape mode support for iPad
  • Improve weather forecast accuracy
  • Provide more customization options
  • Implement weather alerts and notifications
  • Add support for Apple Watch

Surf

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Crashes or freezes on some devices
  • Geolocation issues with break markers

Requested features

4 requests
  • Ability to manually refresh data
  • More detailed tidal/current information
  • Expanded location coverage
  • Improved accuracy for wave height/conditions

In-app purchases

None

WeatherLink

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Surf

Subscriptions2
  • Premium Service: Monthly$4.991 Month
  • Premium Service (Yearly)$34.991 Year

Questions

Is WeatherLink free?
WeatherLink is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Surf free?
Surf is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, WeatherLink or Surf?
Surf is rated higher. WeatherLink averages 2.7 out of 5 from 220 ratings, while Surf averages 4.9 from 991 ratings.
Do WeatherLink or Surf have ads?
Both WeatherLink and Surf show ads.
Which is updated more often, WeatherLink or Surf?
WeatherLink ships an update every 2 months, and Surf every 6 weeks. Most recently, WeatherLink was updated on October 21, 2026 and Surf on October 21, 2026.
Which is more popular, WeatherLink or Surf?
WeatherLink currently peaks at #133 in the App Store charts, and Surf at #120. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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