Comparison

Surf or Die vs Shark Waves

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

Head to head
About

Surf or Die

Experience the thrill of surfing across 19 iconic global locations. Master new boards and perform advanced tricks as you conquer monster waves. This game offers realistic graphics and immersive sound for an authentic surfing adventure.

Highlights
  • 19 world-class surfing locations
  • Unlock new boards and moves
  • Perform dozens of tricks
  • Advanced OpenGL graphics
  • Online high score database
  • Multiple camera angles
Features
Read full description

Surf or Die "Every man dies, not every man really lives." Surf or Die is your chance to live and feel truly alive! Surf or Die is the ultimate surfing game! Surf the planet at 19 world class surfing locations and unlock new boards and new moves as you proceed through the game. Perform dozens of tricks and paddle out into monster waves like never before. Feel like you are one with nature as you harness the power of the waves. Surf the following breaks: - Cape Hatteras, North Carolina - Blacks Beach, San Diego - Gas Chambers, Puerto Rico - Hebara Beach, Chiba, Japan - Dungeons, Cape Town, South Africa - Bidart Plage, Biarritz, France - Sebastian Inlet, Florida - Crantok, Cornwall, England - Praia do Campeche, Brazil - Commonwealth Bay, Antartica - Bells Beach, Victoria, Australia - Banzai Pipeline, Oahu, Hawaii - Grajagan(G-Land), Indonesia - Indicators, Raglan, New Zealand - Santa Teresa, Costa Rica - Superbank, Gold Coast, Australia - Mavericks, Northern California - Teahupoo, Tahiti - Peahi(Jaws), Maui, Hawaii Surf or Die Features: - Advanced OpenGL graphics - Music and sound effects - Different camera angles - Online high score database - High-resolution textures - Made for all iOS devices. Surf or Die is brought to you by the makers of World Winter Games, iRollerCoaster, and iBASEjump. Have fun with Surf or Die and feel alive!

About

Shark Waves

Read full description

Catch the most brutal wave you've ever seen, and avoid Megalodon the Kraken and other dangers as you ride to the finish line towards the ramp. The better you play, the better it gets !

Screenshots

Surf or Die4 screens
Shark Waves4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Shark Waves at none against Surf or Die's 2. Shark Waves also leads on iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.6). Surf or Die's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, update cadence and device support 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. Surf or Die sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Shark Waves asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Surf or Die ships an update every 29 months, Shark Waves every 24 months. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Surf or Die versus Shark Waves: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSurf or DieShark Waves
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.1 (174 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews20.1% of reviews—
Number of ratings174 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 29 monthsEvery 24 months — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.612.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size29 MB135 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperSea Venture LLCHenrique Silva

Bugs and requests

Surf or Die

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Constant wipeouts with no way to recover
  • Inconsistent wave behavior and physics
  • High score tracking not working properly

Requested features

4 requests
  • More surfing locations and levels
  • Ability to customize boards and characters
  • Multiplayer and leaderboard features
  • Better optimization and stability

Shark Waves

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Surf or Die

One-time2
  • Surf or Die Act III$0.99
  • Surf or Die Full Version$1.99
None

Shark Waves

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Surf or Die free?
Surf or Die is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Shark Waves free?
Shark Waves is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Surf or Die or Shark Waves have ads?
Shark Waves shows ads; Surf or Die does not.
Which is updated more often, Surf or Die or Shark Waves?
Surf or Die ships an update every 29 months, and Shark Waves every 24 months. Most recently, Surf or Die was updated on October 29, 2026 and Shark Waves on October 13, 2026.

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