Comparison

playbuoy vs Tide Buoy

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

Tide Buoy

Quickly access tide charts, surf conditions, and marine weather for your current location. Designed for surfers, anglers, and boaters, it provides clear visual data for coastal activities.

Highlights
  • Clear tide charts
  • Nearby tide station data
  • Surf and marine conditions
  • Save favorite spots
  • Visual tide curve
  • Coastal water data
Features
Read full description

Tide Buoy makes it easy to check tide charts, surf conditions, marine weather, and coastal water data without digging through cluttered apps or confusing charts. Open the app and quickly see the tide curve, nearby tide station data, and ocean conditions for your current location, which matter most for your next surf session, fishing trip, beach day, or boat outing. Built for surfers, anglers, boaters, beachgoers, and coastal travelers, Tide Buoy gives you a fast, visual way to understand what the water is doing right now and what it is about to do next. With Tide Buoy you can: - View clear tide charts at a glance - Check nearby tide stations automatically - Track incoming and outgoing tide movement - Review surf, buoy, and marine conditions in one place - Save favorite coastal spots - Plan surf sessions, fishing windows, boating days, and beach trips faster - Use a simple, clean tide app built for speed Tide Buoy is designed for quick coastal decisions. Whether you are checking dawn patrol, planning a fishing run, timing a beach walk, or watching the tide before a boat outing, Tide Buoy helps you make better ocean decisions with less friction. Tide and buoy data is sourced from public NOAA services, including CO-OPS tide stations and NDBC buoy observations. Premium Subscription: - Tide Buoy Premium - 1-year auto-renewing subscription - Premium features include future tide lookahead, saved spots, map-based spot picking, and expanded surf and buoy views. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://tidebuoy.com/privacy

Screenshots

playbuoy4 screens
Tide Buoy4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: playbuoy at none against Tide Buoy's 4. playbuoy also leads on ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (15 vs 2). On price, rating, review sentiment and update cadence 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. Tide Buoy sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per year. playbuoy asks for nothing beyond the download.

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 Tide Buoy. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: playbuoy has 15 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

playbuoy ships an update every 2 weeks, Tide Buoy weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 17, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
playbuoy versus Tide Buoy: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterplaybuoyTide Buoy
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (15 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings15 — better2
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksWeekly — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — betteriPhone
Requires iOS18.518.5
Further details — not scored
Size21 MB5 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMatthew IannucciWILLIAM BRADFORD BOOTH

Customer experience

playbuoy

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

Tide Buoy

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

playbuoy

No in-app purchases

4 purchases

Tide Buoy

Subscriptions1
  • Tide Buoy Premium (Yearly)$2.991 Year
One-time3
  • Tide Buoy Support Tip $1$0.99
  • Tide Buoy Support Tip $5$4.99
  • Tide Buoy Support Tip $10$9.99

Questions

Is playbuoy free?
playbuoy is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Tide Buoy free?
Tide Buoy is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, playbuoy or Tide Buoy?
playbuoy and Tide Buoy are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 15 and 2 ratings respectively.
Do playbuoy or Tide Buoy have ads?
Tide Buoy shows ads; playbuoy does not.
Which is updated more often, playbuoy or Tide Buoy?
playbuoy ships an update every 2 weeks, and Tide Buoy weekly. Most recently, playbuoy was updated on September 17, 2026 and Tide Buoy on September 29, 2026.

Other comparisons