playbuoy vs Tchoup
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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.
Tchoup
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Is my street flooded? Tchoup answers that question for New Orleans — live, block by block. WHAT YOU SEE • Flood reports from neighbors: where water is standing right now, how deep (ankle, tire, bumper, up to the windows), confirmed by other people on the block. • Pump station status across the city, updated continuously. • Live rain radar. • River and canal gauges with flood stages. • Underpass danger zones — the low spots where cars drown. They glow red when flood-risk weather is active or flooding is reported nearby. • A shareable "roads to avoid right now" list for the family group chat. WHAT YOU CAN DO • Report flooding in two taps to warn your block. • Confirm or clear other reports so the map stays honest. • Save your home (privately) and get a push notification when a neighbor reports flooding within 1/3 mile. HOW IT STAYS TRUSTWORTHY • Sign-in is one tap (Apple) or a passwordless email link. • You can't confirm your own report. Reports expire after 3 hours unless someone confirms them, and disappear when neighbors say the water's gone. • No ads, no tracking, no data sales. Your home location is never shown to anyone. Turn around, don't drown. If there's water across the road, don't drive into it — check the map, find another way. Tchoup is a product of Edge Orbital, made in New Orleans.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: Tchoup at every 5 days against playbuoy's every 2 weeks. playbuoy's advantage is device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (18.5 vs 26.0). On price, ads and in-app purchases 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
playbuoy ships an update every 2 weeks, Tchoup every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on September 17, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | playbuoy | Tchoup |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (15 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 15 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | Every 5 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 18.5 — better | 26.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 21 MB | 1 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Matthew Iannucci | Christopher Wolff |
In-app purchases
playbuoy
No in-app purchases
Tchoup
No in-app purchases









