Comparison

Surf Dating vs Mavu Surf

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

Head to head
About

Surf Dating

This dating app offers a unique Grid interface for authentic connections. It features human-verified profiles to ensure no bots or catfishes, and allows extensive filtering by interests and location for a safer dating experience.

Highlights
  • Human-verified profiles
  • Grid interface for control
  • Filter by interests and location
  • Mutual connections feature
  • Secure and safe dating
  • Bot and catfish free
Features
Read full description

SURF is a new wave of dating. Our Grid is designed for control and authenticity, putting you in charge of your Grid. You can filter and search based on interests, location, mutual connections, and so much more. All profile's are 100% human-verified by the SURF Verification Team - guaranteeing no bots or catfishes; just friend-of-friends! SURF is the safer, better way to date. We'll see you on the Grid! Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period. You can manage or turn off auto-renew in your Account settings at any time after purchase. No cancellation of the current subscription is allowed during the active period. Terms of use: https://www.surfdating.com/terms-of-service Privacy policy: https://www.surfdating.com/privacy-policy

About

Mavu Surf

A dedicated marketplace for the surf and water-sports community. Find new and used boards, gear, and apparel from various brands. Connect with other users to buy and sell directly.

Highlights
  • Local marketplace for surf and water-sports
  • Browse new and used boards and gear
  • Shop surf-specific apparel
  • Advanced search filters
  • Create user profiles
  • Connect with community members
  • Direct buyer-seller transactions
Features
Read full description

Mavu is a local marketplace built for the surf and water-sports community. Mavu makes it easier to find new and used boards, the gear associated with those boards, and surf-specific apparel. Browse surfboards, skimboards, bodyboards, stand-up paddleboards, foil boards, wetsuits, fins, leashes, traction pads, and other related equipment. You can also search for boardshorts, shirts, jeans, and other surf apparel from brands such as Rip Curl, Billabong, Rusty, and more. Use specific search filters to find the exact board, gear, or clothing you are looking for, whether that is your next surfboard, a replacement set of fins, or the boardies you have been trying to find. Create a profile, post your equipment or apparel, explore listings from other users, and connect with members of the community. Buyers and sellers arrange transactions directly. Mavu does not process payments, provide shipping, or take possession of listed products. Whether you are searching for your next board, clearing out your quiver, or looking for secondhand surf gear and apparel, Mavu provides a dedicated marketplace for the water-sports community.

Screenshots

Surf Dating4 screens
Mavu Surf3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Mavu Surf at none against Surf Dating's 7. Mavu Surf also leads on rating (4.4 vs 4.0) and iOS requirement (15.1 vs 18.0). Surf Dating's advantage is ratings volume (519 vs 27). On price, review sentiment, update cadence and ads 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 Dating sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days. Mavu Surf asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Mavu Surf holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Surf Dating has 519 ratings behind it against 27, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 77% of Surf Dating's written reviews are positive against 80% of Mavu Surf's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Surf Dating ships an update every 11 days, Mavu Surf fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on November 7, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Surf Dating versus Mavu Surf: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSurf DatingMavu Surf
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (519 ratings)4.4 (27 ratings) — better
Positive reviews77.5% of reviews80.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings519 — better27
Update frequencyEvery 11 days — betterFortnightly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPod — better
Requires iOS18.015.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size56 MB40 MB
Age rating17+17+
DeveloperSiift Inc.Mavu Platforms, Inc.

Customer experience

Surf Dating

All ratings517 ratings
Positive72.3%
Neutral3.7%
Negative24.0%
Written reviews231 reviews
Positive77.5%
Neutral0.4%
Negative22.1%

Mavu Surf

All ratings24 ratings
Positive87.5%
Neutral4.2%
Negative8.3%
Written reviews15 reviews
Positive80.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative20.0%

Bugs and requests

Surf Dating

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Cannot get past education profile setup
  • Freezes when trying to remove profiles

Requested features

2 requests
  • Trade school education option
  • Ability to select contacts to share

Mavu Surf

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

7 purchases

Surf Dating

Subscriptions4
  • Weekly$3.997 Days
  • Monthly$15.991 Month
  • Recommended$38.993 Months
Show 1 more
  • Best Value$59.996 Months
One-time3
  • 3 Gems$10.99
  • 12 Gems$35.99
  • 24 Gems$59.99
None

Mavu Surf

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Surf Dating free?
Surf Dating is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Mavu Surf free?
Mavu Surf is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Surf Dating or Mavu Surf?
Mavu Surf is rated higher. Surf Dating averages 4.0 out of 5 from 519 ratings, while Mavu Surf averages 4.4 from 27 ratings.
Do Surf Dating or Mavu Surf have ads?
Neither Surf Dating nor Mavu Surf shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Surf Dating or Mavu Surf?
Surf Dating ships an update every 11 days, and Mavu Surf fortnightly. Most recently, Surf Dating was updated on November 7, 2026 and Mavu Surf on November 5, 2026.

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