SURFboard Central vs Birdnee
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
SURFboard Central
Simplify the setup and management of your home network devices. This app provides step-by-step installation guides, Wi-Fi configuration, and network monitoring for various modems, routers, and mesh systems.
- Step-by-step device installation guides
- Wi-Fi network configuration and management
- Guest network setup
- Client device monitoring
- Parental controls and screen time management
- Network health monitoring
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Thank you for purchasing a SURFboard product! Simply download this application, select the device model, and follow the on-screen instructions to setup your device. This single (Central) mobile application will support all our current SURFboard devices. Cable Modems: - Models: S33, S34, SB6141, SB6121, SB6183, SB6190, SB8200, SBV3202, SBV2402, T25. - Step-by-step install guide includes help for device activation by your Cable Internet Service Provider. - Access to device information, help, and technical support. - Quick launch the device Web Application for device configuration and management. Cable Modems with Wi-Fi: - Models: G18, G20, G34, G36, G54, SBG10, SBG6950, SBG7400, SBG7580, SBG7600, SBG8300 - Step-by-step install guide includes help for device activation by your Cable Internet Service Provider. - Access to device information, help, and technical support. - Use the device Web Application OR the mobile app for device configuration and management. - Easy to use Wi-Fi management functions. mAX Wi-Fi Mesh Routers: - Models: W11, W121, W122, W21, W30, W31, W61, WC4S, WC4T - Step-by-step install guide includes help for optimal mesh node placement in your home for performance and coverage. - Easy to use Wi-Fi management and enhanced mAX features*. Wi-Fi Gaming and Extenders: - Models: W6B, W6U - Step-by-step install guide. - Access to device information, help, and technical support. - Quick launch the device Web Application for device configuration and management. --- Easy to use Wi-Fi management functions --- - Manage your Wi-Fi network when you are at home or away. - Setup a private and secure home Wi-Fi network. - Setup a separate Guest network for visitors. - View client devices connected to your network. - Add friendly names for each client device. - Check your mobile device real-time Wi-Fi speed. - Create profiles for your kids to manage their screen time, allowing schedule or manual Internet pause. --- Enhanced mAX features --- - Get notified when selected device leave or join your home network. - Enhance your parental controls with "screen" time rewards. - Network Health monitoring with recommendations for optimization. For additional help, please visit the SURFboard User Community at https://community.surfboard.com/ For device technical details and support, please visit SURFboard Support at https://www.surfboard.com/support/resources/ * Not all enhanced mAX features are available on W61, WC4S, and WC4T
Birdnee
Connect to a smart bird feeder camera to observe and identify backyard birds in real-time. Receive instant notifications with photos and videos of visiting birds, and access educational insights. Enjoy all-weather, day-and-night HD observation and easily manage and share your captured moments.
- AI bird identification for over 10,000 species
- Instant notifications with HD photos and videos
- Real-time live feed viewing
- All-weather, day and night HD observation
- Cloud or local MicroSD card video storage
- Multi-user viewing and social media sharing
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Connect to the Birdnee Smart Bird Feeder Camera and embark on your personalized journey into the wonders of nature. No matter where you are, the captivating moments of backyard birds are always just a tap away. Core Features: AI Bird Identification: Powered by advanced image recognition algorithms, Birdnee covers over 10,000 bird species worldwide. The camera automatically captures visiting birds, while the app displays their names, behaviors, and educational insights. With a subscription, unlock in-depth bird encyclopedias and more premium content. Instant Notifications and Captivating Captures: When a bird enters the monitoring zone, the camera automatically detects and records video footage, sending a push notification to your phone along with a high-definition photo. Through the Birdnee app, you can remotely view the live feed in real time. All-Weather HD Observation, Day and Night: From the soft glow of dawn to the gentle hues of dusk, every graceful movement and intricate feather detail of your feathered visitors is captured in crystal-clear clarity, uninterrupted by day or night. Effortless Management and Sharing: Videos are automatically saved to the cloud or to a local MicroSD card (up to 128GB). The app supports multi-user viewing, allowing you to add family members' devices. Plus, easily share videos to social media with one tap, or organize and collect highlights by bird species.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Birdnee at 5.0 against SURFboard Central's 1.6. Birdnee also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 2 months). SURFboard Central's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 12) and ratings volume (1.7K vs 2). On price, ads 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
Both are free to download. Birdnee sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. SURFboard Central asks for nothing beyond the download.
Birdnee holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 1.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SURFboard Central has 1.7K ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.
SURFboard Central ships an update every 2 months, Birdnee fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 22, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | SURFboard Central | Birdnee |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 1.6 (1.7K ratings) | 5.0 (2 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 10.4% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 1.7K — better | 2 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Fortnightly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Freemium |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 15.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 193 MB | 131 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | ARRIS Group, Inc. | CONICO (HK) TECHNOLOGY CO., LIMITED |
Customer experience
SURFboard Central
Birdnee
Bugs and requests
SURFboard Central
Reported bugs
5 issues- App crashes frequently
- Fails to connect to network
- Incorrect device information displayed
- Parental controls don't work as expected
- Unable to change network name or password
Requested features
4 requests- Add more advanced configuration options
- Improve parental controls and internet scheduling
- Provide a web-based interface instead of just a mobile app
- Allow users to bypass the app and access router settings directly
Birdnee
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
SURFboard Central
No in-app purchases
Birdnee
- Monthly Subscription1 Month trial3 variants$5.991 Month
- Monthly Subscription1 Month trial3 variants$7.991 Month
- Annual Subscription1 Month trial3 variants$59.991 Year
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- Annual Subscription$69.991 Year
- Annual Subscription1 Month trial$79.991 Year
- Annual Subscription$79.991 Year









