Comparison

30A vs Explore Emerald Coast

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

Head to head
About

30A

Discover daily events, restaurants, and activities along Florida's Scenic Highway 30A. This app connects you with local communities, stunning landscapes, and an eco-conscious lifestyle. Unlock a world of beach-focused experiences and explore hidden gems.

Highlights
  • Daily event listings
  • Restaurant and activity directory
  • Community guides
  • Exclusive local deals
  • Eco-conscious product listings
  • Interactive maps
Features
Read full description

Embark on a journey along Florida's stunning Scenic Highway 30A with the 30A mobile app, your essential companion for discovering daily 30A beach events, restaurants, activities and much more. This app brings the vibrant spirit of small-town coastal living right to your fingertips, offering an immersive experience that connects you with the unique communities, stunning landscapes, and the eco-conscious lifestyle that 30A is celebrated for. With the 30A app, you’re not just planning a trip; you’re unlocking a lifestyle embraced by millions of BEACH HAPPY® enthusiasts around the globe. The 30A mobile app serves as your guide to everything 30A has to offer, from the sugar-white sandy beaches and emerald waters of the Gulf Coast to the eco-friendly eateries and boutiques that line this scenic stretch. Whether you’re a long-time local or a first-time visitor, the app provides valuable insights and updates on the best places to eat, stay, play, and shop, ensuring your coastal adventures are nothing short of extraordinary. With the 30A app, users gain access to: – Detailed guides to all of the beach communities along 30A, each with its own charm and character. – Real-time information on local events, concerts, and festivals, making sure you never miss out on the fun. – Exclusive deals and offers from local businesses, helping you enjoy the best of 30A without breaking the bank. – An extensive directory of eco-conscious products and services, including 30A’s own line of apparel made from recycled plastic water bottles, preventing over 6.5 million bottles from going into our oceans and landfills so far. – Interactive maps that guide you through the scenic routes, hidden gems, and must-visit spots along the Gulf Coast. Beyond just a travel guide, the 30A app embodies the brand's commitment to sustainability and social responsibility. Through its platform, 30A shares inspiring stories of conservation, community engagement, and the simple joys of beach life. It's a testament to a brand that has not only raised over $3.2 million for coastal charities but also cultivated a massive following of over 1.7 million social media fans across Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and Twitter, all united by a love for the beach and an outdoor lifestyle. In a world where every moment counts, the 30A mobile app ensures your coastal experiences are rich, meaningful, and aligned with values that celebrate and protect our beautiful planet. From planning your day at the beach to discovering local art and culture, and from supporting eco-friendly businesses to joining beach clean-ups, the app is your gateway to a lifestyle where every day is a beach day, and every action contributes to a happier, healthier planet. To dive into the BEACH HAPPY® lifestyle and explore the wonders of Florida’s Scenic Highway 30A, download the 30A mobile app today. It's more than just an app; it's your passport to an unforgettable journey along the Gulf Coast, where life shines brighter and every moment is an opportunity to make happy memories while making a difference. Join the 30A community and discover why millions have fallen in love with this slice of paradise. Learn more and start your adventure at www.30A.com. 30A®, BEACH HAPPY®, AMERICAN BEACH LIFE®, DUMPSTER DIVER® and LIFE SHINES® are registered trademarks of The 30A Company, LLC.

About

Explore Emerald Coast

Your official travel companion for Florida's Emerald Coast. Discover the best places to stay, play, eat, and explore for your perfect beach getaway. Find everything from sugar-white sand beaches to family-friendly attractions in one easy-to-use app.

Highlights
  • Discover places to stay
  • Find things to do
  • Explore local restaurants
  • Identify family attractions
  • Beach getaway planning
Features
Read full description

Plan the perfect beach getaway with the Emerald Coast Visitors Guide, your official travel companion for Florida’s Emerald Coast. Whether you’re planning a vacation, weekend escape, or looking for things to do nearby, this app helps you discover the best places to stay, play, eat, and explore. From sugar-white sand beaches and emerald-green waters to local restaurants, outdoor adventures, and family-friendly attractions, everything you need is in one easy-to-use travel app.

Screenshots

30A4 screens
Explore Emerald Coast4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Explore Emerald Coast at weekly against 30A's every 2 months. Explore Emerald Coast also leads on rating (4.9 vs 4.6) and review sentiment (100% vs 79%). 30A's advantage is ratings volume (264 vs 12) and iOS requirement (13.4 vs 15.1). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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

Explore Emerald Coast holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: 30A has 264 ratings behind it against 12, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 79% of 30A's written reviews are positive against 100% of Explore Emerald Coast's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

30A ships an update every 2 months, Explore Emerald Coast weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
30A versus Explore Emerald Coast: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameter30AExplore Emerald Coast
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (264 ratings)4.9 (12 ratings) — better
Positive reviews79.2% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings264 — better12
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.4 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size40 MB76 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer30A.comSANDPAPER MARKETING, INC.

Customer experience

30A

All ratings264 ratings
Positive89.8%
Neutral3.4%
Negative6.8%
Written reviews72 reviews
Positive79.2%
Neutral5.6%
Negative15.3%

Explore Emerald Coast

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

30A

Reported bugs

10 issues
  • App crashes on startup or during use
  • Login stuck in 'under review' state
  • Map view crashes when searching restaurants
  • Events calendar doesn't scroll properly on iPhone
  • No back button after opening events
Show 5 more
  • Beach camera not displaying or obscured
  • App stops running on iPad when device sleeps
  • Constant content update prompts
  • Reverting to default radio station
  • Sign-up functionality broken

Requested features

9 requests
  • Back button for easier navigation
  • Live beach camera feeds
  • Extended event calendar (further out in time)
  • Website links and reviews for venues
  • Real-time beach photos from users
Show 4 more
  • Improved map view functionality
  • Dark mode option
  • iPad sleep mode fix
  • Pre-loaded content to avoid repeated prompts

Explore Emerald Coast

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

30A

No in-app purchases

None

Explore Emerald Coast

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is 30A free?
30A is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Explore Emerald Coast free?
Explore Emerald Coast is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, 30A or Explore Emerald Coast?
Explore Emerald Coast is rated higher. 30A averages 4.6 out of 5 from 264 ratings, while Explore Emerald Coast averages 4.9 from 12 ratings.
Do 30A or Explore Emerald Coast have ads?
Neither 30A nor Explore Emerald Coast shows ads.
Which is updated more often, 30A or Explore Emerald Coast?
30A ships an update every 2 months, and Explore Emerald Coast weekly. Most recently, 30A was updated on October 1, 2026 and Explore Emerald Coast on September 20, 2026.

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