Surfline vs KWind
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Surfline
Get detailed surf forecasts, live cams, and session tracking to help you decide when and where to hit the waves. Plan your next surf adventure with expert insights and nearshore models.
- Live surf cams
- Expert surf forecasts
- Wind and tide data
- Session tracking
- 10-day forecasts
- Customizable setup
- Nearshore forecast model
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Decide when and where to surf with Surfline, the most trusted surf forecasting app in the world. Check live surf cams, expert forecasts, wind, tide, swell data, real-time surf reports and track your sessions at spots around the world. Since 1985, Surfline has helped millions of surfers make better decisions about where and when to surf. Designed by surfers, for surfers, Surfline combines proprietary forecast models, an expert in-house forecast team, and an exclusive global network of advanced live surf cams. Find your next session with everything you need to check the surf - Get the read on today’s conditions from our team of expert forecasters* - Find your window to surf with hourly ratings, surf height, wind, swell, and tide - Preview tomorrow’s conditions with footage from similar days - See what other forecasts miss with our best-in-class nearshore forecast model - Get alerted when your preferred conditions line up - Plan your next session or trip with 10-day forecasts, charts, and spot guides - Make the forecast your own by customizing your setup - Track your progress and stay motivated with insights and highlights of every session Know before you go with Premium: - Watch the surf live with 1000+ ad-free cams around the world - Rewind the cams to review sets, lulls, and conditions over time - Capture your waves with clips of rides and wipeouts from your session - See what our forecasters see with incoming swell analysis, days to watch, and region-specific outlooks* - Plan your next session or surf trip with 16-day extended forecasts, charts, and spot guides - Access exclusive offers and giveaways from brands we use and trust - Follow the action with new, higher-res Action Cam angles that follow the break, available at select spots across Southern California Get Premium for less with Premium with Ads: - Unlock everything in Premium — unlimited live cam access, cam rewind, 16-day forecasts, and more — by watching a quick ad each time you view a cam Get everything you need to score with Premium+, powered by the world’s most advanced surf cam network*** - Track every wave with a timeline of wave height and ridden waves - See what’s going unridden with insights on wave distribution and crowds - Track storm and swell patterns with the highest-resolution wave charts available - Find and share your rides by skipping through ridden waves Plus, integrate with partner apps and your wearable devices to unlock deeper insights - Sync with your Apple Watch to log sessions and get clips of your waves sent straight to your phone** - Link Surfline Sessions with partner apps like Strava, Dawn Patrol, and Garmin *Local forecasts are region dependent. **This feature uses HealthKit to monitor and record your calories and heart rate while you surf. ***Premium+ features are powered by Smart Cams, available regionally in the US, AU and UK Payment for paid Surfline memberships will be charged to your Apple ID Account at confirmation of purchase. All prices exclusive of taxes. Membership plans will automatically renew yearly or monthly, depending on membership plan selection, unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current term. Cancel any time in the App Store; your membership will then cease at the end of the current term. No refund will be issued for the time remaining on your current plan term when you cancel a membership. By using Surfline you certify that you understand and agree to the Surfline Terms of Service (https://www.surfline.com/terms-of-use) and Privacy Policy (https://www.surfline.com/privacy-policy).
KWind
This app provides real-time wind data, personalized alerts, and detailed spot information for wind sports enthusiasts. Plan your sessions with live conditions, historical trends, and tide details.
- Live wind data
- Wind notifications
- Spot guides
- Wind history analysis
- Wind statistics
- Tide details
- Wind station map
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KWind – The Worldwide Live Wind Network for Every Windsport Enthusiast KWind is more than an app—it is a worldwide network of high-quality live wind stations and your trusted companion for every windy adventure. Designed for kitesurfers, windsurfers, sailors, paragliders, and all wind lovers, KWind provides reliable, real-time wind information from important watersports locations around the world. Whether you want to check current conditions or plan your next session, KWind takes the guesswork out of your decisions and helps you make the most of every windy day. The Ecowitt–KWind–Windguru Network combines high-quality weather station hardware with a growing global wind network. KWind supplies accurate live wind-speed data in knots to Windguru, helping to improve live wind information and support better weather and wind forecasts in the future. Features: * Live Wind – View reliable, real-time wind data. * Wind Notifications – Set personalized alerts for your favorite spots and never miss perfect conditions. * Spot Guides – Discover great locations with helpful information and local insights. * Wind History – Analyze historical wind conditions and trends. * Wind Statistics – Gain deeper insights through comprehensive wind data. * Tide Information – Check tide details when planning your session. * Worldwide Station Map – Find KWind weather stations around the globe. New in this version: In the app settings, you can now find direct links to our weather station partner, Ecowitt, as well as information for kite centers and future KWind station owners. This release also improves the stability, performance, and reliability of the KWind network experience. Download KWind and make every moment in the wind count.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: KWind at none against Surfline's 10. KWind also leads on ads (none vs shown) and review sentiment (100% vs 86%). Surfline's advantage is chart position (#4 vs unranked). 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
Both are free to download. Surfline sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $14.95 per month. KWind asks for nothing beyond the download.
Surfline ships an update weekly, KWind every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Surfline | KWind |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (31K ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 85.9% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 31K — better | — |
| Update frequency | Weekly | Every 5 days — better |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Best chart rank | #4 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 208 MB | 43 MB |
| Age rating | 9+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Surfline/Wavetrak | Helium Smart World |
Customer experience
Surfline
KWind
Bugs and requests
Surfline
Reported bugs
4 issues- Frequent app crashes and freezes
- Inconsistent performance on different devices
- Unreliable live cam functionality
- Issues with login and account management
Requested features
6 requests- More live cams at popular surf spots
- Improved forecast accuracy and reliability
- Ability to share/comment on surf sessions
- Better integration with fitness trackers
- Customizable alerts and notifications
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- Offline mode for accessing key information
KWind
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Surfline
- Surfline Premium$14.951 Month
- SL Premium - Monthly2 variants$15.991 Month
- Surfline Premium2 variants$15.991 Month
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- Surfline Forecast membership7 Days trial$39.991 Year
- Surfline Premium with ads7 Days trial$69.991 Year
- Surfline Premium7 Days trial$119.991 Year
- Surfline Premium1 Year trial$119.991 Year
- Surfline Premium+7 Days trial$149.991 Year
KWind
No in-app purchases








