Comparison

EPIC vs SurfWaves

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

Head to head
About

EPIC

Get detailed surf forecasts with tide charts, wind direction, and 7-day predictions. Visualize conditions with stunning graphics and receive alerts for your ideal surfing times. Plan your next session with ease, even offline.

Highlights
  • At-a-glance critical surf conditions
  • Stunning visualizations for tides, swell, wind
  • Personalized ideal surfing condition alerts
  • Widgets for instant home screen updates
  • 7-day detailed forecasts
  • Full-screen interactive charts
  • Offline access to forecasts
Features
Read full description

Simple, beautiful, and easy-to-read surf forecasts designed by surfers, for surfers. Epic Surf Report is the ultimate surf forecast app, crafted to give you the most important surf conditions with minimal effort. Whether you’re a seasoned surfer or planning your next session, Epic delivers everything you need: tide charts, wind direction, swell alerts, and 7-day detailed forecasts—all in a sleek, user-friendly interface. __________________ Why Choose Epic? • At-a-glance critical surf conditions for your favorite spots • Stunning visualizations for tides, swell, wind, and more • Alerts for personalized ideal surfing conditions • Widgets for instant updates on your home screen • Full-screen charts and long-range forecasts Built with love for surfers, Epic simplifies your surf planning and helps you catch the perfect wave! __________________ Core Features == Spot View == Quickly check today’s surf conditions: • Overview of current swell, wind, and tide • Personalized highlighting of ideal spot conditions • Swell Evolution: Hourly changes throughout the day • Wind Insights: Direction, speed, and gusts • Tide Timings: Current levels and upcoming tides == Detailed Metrics == Access accurate surf reports with: • Swell height (combined, primary, secondary, wind swell) • Swell period, direction, and energy • Wind speed, gusts, and currents • Tide charts and astronomy data == 7-Day Forecast == Plan ahead with detailed forecasts for the week: • Swell, wind, tide, weather, and astronomy info in one view • Color-coded scales for key surf windows • Customizable layout to match your preferences == Full-Screen Charts == Dive deeper into surf data with interactive charts for today and the week: • Swell height, period, and energy metrics • Wind speed, gusts, and currents == Widgets == Stay updated at a glance with home screen widgets: • Today’s Swell • Today’s Wind • Current Tide == Custom Alerts == Get notified when conditions match your preferences: • Define spot-specific ideal surf conditions • Set notification timings that work for you == Spot Search & Map == Find your favorite surf spots or discover new ones: • Search by spot name or nearby location • Browse and tap on an interactive map == Offline Access == Access forecasts even without an internet connection. __________________ == Trusted Data Sources == We use reliable data from sources like NOAA Wavewatch 3, NOAA GFS, Météo-France, UK MetOffice, and more for accurate forecasts. Tide predictions come from global tidal datasets and local tide station data. __________________ == Free vs. Premium Features == Epic Surf Report allows free usage with limited functionality. Upgrade to Premium for full access: • 7-Day Forecasts • Advanced swell metrics • Frequent data refreshes • Unlimited spots • Custom alerts for ideal conditions • Widgets for multiple spots • Ad-Free Experience Choose your upgrade option: • Flexible subscriptions • One-time lifetime access for unlimited use __________________ == Subscription & Lifetime Access Terms == • Subscriptions auto-renew unless canceled at least 24 hours before the current period ends. • Manage subscriptions or turn off auto-renewal in your Account Settings. • Lifetime access requires a single, one-time payment—no recurring charges. • Any unused portion of a free trial is forfeited upon subscription or lifetime purchase. Privacy Policy: https://goepic.surf/Privacy-Policy.html Terms of Use: https://goepic.surf/Terms-of-Use.html

About

SurfWaves

This app uses AI to predict optimal surfing conditions, recommending the best beaches and times to surf. It offers real-time visual analysis of beach cameras for wave quality, crowd, wind, and tide, with customizable regional settings and multilingual support.

Highlights
  • AI-powered surf condition forecasting
  • Smart beach and time recommendations
  • Live image analysis of beach cameras
  • Wave quality, crowd, wind, and tide interpretation
  • Customizable regional settings and units
  • Multilingual support
  • Home screen widgets and Apple CarPlay integration
Features
Read full description

SurfWaves is an essential mobile app for surfers of all levels, using Artificial Intelligence to forecast the best surf conditions. Instead of just showing raw data, the app delivers smart recommendations, pointing you to the ideal beach and the best time to hit the water. Now SurfWaves speaks your language and matches your home: choose your country on first launch and the app opens in your language, with a color palette inspired by your region and the units you use every day — height in meters or feet, temperature in °C or °F, and wind in knots. Beach search is more relevant too, filtered by your country. SurfWaves goes beyond the traditional forecast: it features a live image analysis system that automatically interprets real-time beach cameras to visually identify wave quality, crowd, wind, and tide — giving you an instant, reliable read on sea conditions. Reading the forecast is clearer than ever: consistent wave colors across all beaches so you can compare spots at a glance, immediate offshore/onshore wind indication, and AI analysis always front and center, so you can quickly decide whether it's worth paddling out. In favorites, a background map shows exactly the beach you're tracking. With quick access to your favorite spots' conditions through Home Screen widgets, and the convenience of safely checking the forecast via Apple CarPlay on your way to the beach, SurfWaves is the most complete and integrated tool so you never miss a good surf session again. The app also offers multilingual support and is available in: Português (PT) English (EN) Español (ES) 日本語 (JA) Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

EPIC4 screens
SurfWaves4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: SurfWaves at none against EPIC's shown. SurfWaves also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 3 weeks). On price, review sentiment, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. EPIC sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month and SurfWaves sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

EPIC ships an update every 3 weeks, SurfWaves weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
EPIC versus SurfWaves: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterEPICSurfWaves
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (721 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews67.8% of reviews75.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings721 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksWeekly — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS16.015.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size64 MB80 MB
Age rating+4+4
DeveloperNuno FernandesDereck Vicentin Leme

Customer experience

EPIC

All ratings719 ratings
Positive92.1%
Neutral3.9%
Negative4.0%
Written reviews59 reviews
Positive67.8%
Neutral10.2%
Negative22.0%

SurfWaves

Written reviews4 reviews
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%

Bugs and requests

EPIC

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Stuck on 'Define your experience' page
  • Unable to load widget

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add moon phase information
  • Provide buoy data for local spots
  • Implement landscape mode for iPad
  • Add Apple Watch complications

SurfWaves

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

5 purchases

EPIC

Subscriptions4
  • Premium (1 month)3 Days trial$3.991 Month
  • Premium (3 months)14 Days trial$9.993 Months
  • Premium (6 months)7 Days trial$17.996 Months
Show 1 more
  • Premium (1 year)14 Days trial$24.991 Year
One-time1
  • Premium (Lifetime Access)$89.99
3 purchases

SurfWaves

Subscriptions3
  • mensal R$9.907 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • Trimestral R$29.907 Days trial$24.993 Months
  • Anual R$129.907 Days trial$99.991 Year

Questions

Is EPIC free?
EPIC is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is SurfWaves free?
SurfWaves is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do EPIC or SurfWaves have ads?
EPIC shows ads; SurfWaves does not.
Which is updated more often, EPIC or SurfWaves?
EPIC ships an update every 3 weeks, and SurfWaves weekly. Most recently, EPIC was updated on October 29, 2026 and SurfWaves on October 30, 2026.

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