SurfUp vs Tidespots
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
SurfUp
Easily find and rent surfboards near your location. Reserve your chosen board, unlock it through the app, and manage your entire rental session from your phone for a seamless beach experience.
- Find available surfboards nearby
- Reserve and unlock boards via app
- Manage rental sessions on phone
- Guided board return process
- Convenient beach experience
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SurfUp makes surfboard rentals simple. Find a board near you, reserve your ride, unlock your SurfPod, and get in the water with less friction. Whether you're a beginner looking for an easy way to start or a regular surfer who wants a more convenient rental experience, SurfUp helps you spend less time coordinating and more time surfing. With SurfUp, you can: - Find available boards near you - Reserve and unlock boards through the app - Manage your rental session from your phone - Return your board with a simple guided flow - Get a smoother, more convenient beach experience SurfUp is built to make surfboard access easier, faster, and more flexible for riders and partner locations alike. Download SurfUp and start your next session.
Tidespots
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Discover Tidespots, the platform that brings together everything you need to live the surf experience in one place. With our self-service rental system through QR scan, you get access to boards, wetsuits, and accessories quickly, easily, and 24/7. But Tidespots goes far beyond rentals: Surf schools: book your class with one click and chat directly with instructors from the app. SurfCamps: explore unique experiences organized by schools and join easily. Surf events: stay up to date with what’s happening in your community. Real-time sea photos: check the conditions before getting in the water. Interactive map: navigate all rental options, schools, surf camps, and events in one single view. Tidespots is surfing at your own pace, with total autonomy, real-time information, and direct connection with the community. Scan, book, and enjoy surfing without complications. All in one place.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: SurfUp at every 6 weeks against Tidespots's every 5 months. On price, ads, in-app purchases 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
SurfUp ships an update every 6 weeks, Tidespots every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on October 9, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | SurfUp | Tidespots |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (27 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 90.9% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 27 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks — better | Every 5 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Ad-supported | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 — better | 15.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 30 MB | 60 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | SurfUp, Inc. | Juan Diego Cortabarria |
In-app purchases
SurfUp
No in-app purchases
Tidespots
No in-app purchases









