Comparison

playbuoy vs ONDA Surf

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

ONDA Surf

Get real-time surf conditions and live video feeds of local breaks. This app provides hyper-local forecasts, an AI assistant for expert advice, and tools to log your sessions and connect with other surfers.

Highlights
  • Live video spot checks
  • Hour-by-hour surf forecasts
  • AI surf assistant
  • Session logging
  • Crew chat
  • Favorite breaks alerts
Features
Read full description

ONDA is your gateway to the most accurate surf forecasts and live reports at your NorCal surf spots, as well as the connection to your local surf community. Plan your sessions, check in on real-time conditions, view video streams at local spots, track your sessions, and share with your crew. ONDA is more than just a surf forecasting app - it makes surf reports, forecasts, and planning your sessions an experience! - Get Accurate Surf Reports & Forecasts - Connect to the most accurate, visual surf reports and forecasts at your local spots, good for all levels of surfers. - Join the Lineup - Track and share sessions, follow your friends as well as local breaks, and stay informed with news from the surf community. - Film the Waves and Get Paid - Earn income by streaming your local breaks. - Stay Informed - Enjoy surf news and community feeds relevant to your local area. - Know When It’s Firing - Get alerts when your local spots are lighting up or when the conditions are coming together. - Learn & Have Fun - Learn more about your local breaks and what makes for ideal surf conditions. Share with your friends and have fun planning sessions with your crew.

Screenshots

playbuoy4 screens
ONDA Surf4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is device support: playbuoy at 3 against ONDA Surf's 1. ONDA Surf's advantage is iOS requirement (16.0 vs 18.5). On price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume 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

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for playbuoy against 5.0 for ONDA Surf. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 15 and 13 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

playbuoy ships an update every 2 weeks, ONDA Surf fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 17, 2026 and July 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
playbuoy versus ONDA Surf: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterplaybuoyONDA Surf
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (15 ratings)5.0 (13 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings15 — better13
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterFortnightly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — betteriPhone
Requires iOS18.516.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size21 MB111 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperMatthew IannucciOnda Sports Inc

Customer experience

playbuoy

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

ONDA Surf

All ratings12 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

playbuoy

No in-app purchases

None

ONDA Surf

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is playbuoy free?
playbuoy is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is ONDA Surf free?
ONDA Surf is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, playbuoy or ONDA Surf?
playbuoy and ONDA Surf are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 15 and 13 ratings respectively.
Do playbuoy or ONDA Surf have ads?
Neither playbuoy nor ONDA Surf shows ads.
Which is updated more often, playbuoy or ONDA Surf?
playbuoy ships an update every 2 weeks, and ONDA Surf fortnightly. Most recently, playbuoy was updated on September 17, 2026 and ONDA Surf on July 6, 2026.

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