Comparison

playbuoy vs A

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

Head to head
About

playbuoy

This app provides detailed swell observations and forecasts using NOAA buoy data and a custom algorithm. It offers beautiful, meaningful plots to compare real-time readings with model forecasts, helping you plan ocean activities.

Highlights
  • Detailed swell observations and forecasts
  • Custom algorithm for accurate swell breakdown
  • 16-day swell forecast data
  • Up to five swell components displayed
  • Visual comparison of buoy readings and model forecasts
  • Full directional wave spectra visualization
  • Widgets and watch complications
Features
Read full description

playbuoy brings unparalleled insight into NOAA buoy wave readings. Detailed Swell Observations and Forecast. playbuoy analyzes NOAA buoy data with a customized algorithm to extract detailed swell information from raw buoy observations and wave models. This gives the most accurate breakdown of where swell is headed and when. With 16 days of forecasted swell data, you will always be informed of what to expect for whatever ocean activities you love. While other apps will show two swell components observed or forecasted, playbuoy will show up to five. Beautiful and Meaningful plots. Easily compare the the current buoy readings with model forecasts to prepare and plan for how the forecasts may not be matching up with what is actually happening in the ocean. No other service can visualize the full directional wave spectra for both buoy observations and wave models at once. Explore the latest buoy observations from all over the US and beyond to watch current weather events or plan for future activities. Or select your favorite buoys to keep the wave information you need the most a tap away. Widgets and watch complications keep the latest data a glance away. Never miss a swell again. Share plots and swell data with a custom share function to loop others in and make group plans for surfing, fishing, boating, or any other ocean activity you love.

About

A

This app offers an intuitive 7-day surf forecast with a vertical layout for easy viewing of conditions at your favorite surf spots. Quickly find nearby locations and analyze detailed hourly forecasts and tide graphs.

Highlights
  • 7-day vertical surf forecast
  • Map of surf locations
  • Favorites for quick access
  • Nearby surf spot finder
  • Detailed hourly forecast
  • Tide graphs
Features
Read full description

A-Frame’s goal is to provide the easiest-to-use surf forecast app. Our 7-day vertical forecast format makes it simple to scroll through and view your favorite surf locations, so you can spend more time planning your next paddle out and less time clicking through multiple pages. Key Features: * Map Page
Explore surf locations across US, Mexico, Australia and Hawaii, with more locations coming soon! Easily swipe through locations to get a snapshot of current surf conditions and ratings. *Favorites where your favorite surf spots to the Favorites Page and view current forecasts for each location at a glance. Spend less time navigating and more time checking the conditions at the waves you love most. * Local
Our Local Page lists nearby surf locations ranked by rating and distance. Whether you’re at home or on a surf vacation, quickly see the best surf spots within a 40 mile radius. * Enhanced Forecast Design
The 7-day vertical forecast provides a detailed 21-hour view for each day, combined with tide graphs for seamless analysis. Our intuitive layout eliminates the need to scroll back and forth, offering a streamlined experience for checking all the surf data you need in one place.

Screenshots

playbuoy4 screens
A4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: playbuoy at 5.0 against A's 4.7. A's advantage is update cadence (every 6 days vs every 2 weeks) and iOS requirement (15.1 vs 18.5). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

playbuoy holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 15 and 12 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

playbuoy ships an update every 2 weeks, A every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on September 17, 2026 and September 12, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
playbuoy versus A: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterplaybuoyA
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (15 ratings) — better4.7 (12 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings15 — better12
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksEvery 6 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS18.515.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size21 MB43 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMatthew IannucciOrlando Santos

Customer experience

playbuoy

All ratings15 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

A

All ratings12 ratings
Positive91.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative8.3%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

playbuoy

No in-app purchases

None

A

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is playbuoy free?
playbuoy is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is A free?
A is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, playbuoy or A?
playbuoy is rated higher. playbuoy averages 5.0 out of 5 from 15 ratings, while A averages 4.7 from 12 ratings.
Do playbuoy or A have ads?
Neither playbuoy nor A shows ads.
Which is updated more often, playbuoy or A?
playbuoy ships an update every 2 weeks, and A every 6 days. Most recently, playbuoy was updated on September 17, 2026 and A on September 12, 2026.

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