Comparison

playbuoy vs Should I Surf Today?

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

Should I Surf Today?

This app provides direct, no-nonsense answers to whether conditions are suitable for surfing. It cuts through the noise to tell you if it's flat, crowded, cold, or even sharky, encouraging you to paddle out.

Highlights
  • Direct condition assessment
  • No overthinking required
  • Focus on real conditions
  • Encourages action
Features
Read full description

You already know the answer. We're just here to say it without apologizing for the conditions. Flat? Yes. Crowded? Yes. Cold? Yes. Sharky? Yes. Real conditions. No overthinking required. Stop puttering. Start paddling.

Screenshots

playbuoy4 screens
Should I Surf Today?4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ratings volume: playbuoy at 15 against Should I Surf Today?'s 4. Should I Surf Today?'s advantage is iOS requirement (15.1 vs 18.5). On price, rating, review sentiment 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

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for playbuoy against 5.0 for Should I Surf Today?. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 15 and 4 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
playbuoy versus Should I Surf Today?: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterplaybuoyShould I Surf Today?
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (15 ratings)5.0 (4 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings15 — better4
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS18.515.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size21 MB35 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMatthew IannucciCHRISTOPHER STEPHEN RIGGS

Customer experience

playbuoy

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

Should I Surf Today?

All ratings4 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

None

Should I Surf Today?

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is playbuoy free?
playbuoy is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Should I Surf Today? free?
Should I Surf Today? is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, playbuoy or Should I Surf Today??
playbuoy and Should I Surf Today? are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 15 and 4 ratings respectively.
Do playbuoy or Should I Surf Today? have ads?
Neither playbuoy nor Should I Surf Today? shows ads.

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