Comparison

IKO Learn to Kite vs Surprise

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

Head to head
About

IKO Learn to Kite

Learn kiteboarding with a world-class methodology. This app brings the classroom to the beach, offering theoretical knowledge and practical guidance to improve skills and safety. Suitable for beginners and experienced riders alike, it features eBooks, videos, and an official license.

Highlights
  • World-class kiteboarding methodology
  • Theoretical knowledge for skill improvement
  • eBooks for all levels (Discovery to Advanced)
  • How-to videos for essential techniques
  • Official vCard kiteboarding license
  • Study online even without wind
Features
Read full description

Join over 600 000 students who have learned kiteboarding with the IKO world-class methodology. Kiteboarding is a very exciting sport and understanding the theoretical aspects behind the technique is key to improving your skills and being a safer kiter. With the IKO app, we now bring the classroom to the beach and deliver this knowledge straight in your hands. The IKO app is the ultimate learning companion to facilitate your lessons and boost your progression. Beginners, speed up your learning and get on the board faster! Riding already? Progress to the next level with the Evolution riding content such as the Freeride, Freestyle, Wave Riding or Hydrofoil eBooks. No wind? No problem, study online and be ready for your next session. Download the app today to start reading for free the “Solution to Kiteboard better” eBook, where you will learn essential topics such as spot assessment, weather science, equipment, kiteboarding terminology, and much more. Whether you’re flying a kite for the first time or you’re ready to step up your game, this eBook is where it all starts. 25+ hours of online learning: 10 eBooks: All levels from Discovery to Advanced, including Freeride, Freestyle, Wave Riding and Hydrofoil 72 minutes of how-to videos: Topics such as Basic flying, Self-Landing, Water-Start, Riding upwind, Basic jumps and more. The IKO app is also home of the vCard, your official kiteboarding license recognized by the IKO community in more than 60 countries around the world. Get your riding level certified by an IKO Instructor and display your identification anywhere and anytime to rent gear and facilitate beach access. Since 2001, the IKO sets the highest quality standards for the learning and practice of kiteboarding. The IKO is the world's’ largest organization that strives for a safe and sustainable growth of kiteboarding by empowering people to experience the sport with confidence.

About

Surprise

Read full description

Inside the Surprise app, you can: Access all of your videos in one easy to use app Receive push notifications with the latest news and updates Access to all of your videos without having to remember your password Save your favorite posts so you can quickly find them later

Screenshots

IKO Learn to Kite4 screens
Surprise3 screens

Verdict

The call

IKO Learn to Kite and Surprise are too close to call on the numbers: across 6 compared parameters — price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

IKO Learn to Kite ships an update every 5 weeks, Surprise monthly. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
IKO Learn to Kite versus Surprise: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterIKO Learn to KiteSurprise
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (43 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews40.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings43 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeksMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.615.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size102 MB11 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperIKOintlEmily Sudduth

In-app purchases

None

IKO Learn to Kite

No in-app purchases

None

Surprise

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is IKO Learn to Kite free?
IKO Learn to Kite is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Surprise free?
Surprise is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do IKO Learn to Kite or Surprise have ads?
Neither IKO Learn to Kite nor Surprise shows ads.
Which is updated more often, IKO Learn to Kite or Surprise?
IKO Learn to Kite ships an update every 5 weeks, and Surprise monthly. Most recently, IKO Learn to Kite was updated on November 6, 2026 and Surprise on November 4, 2026.

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