Comparison

Surfline vs Surf Report

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

Head to head
About

Surfline

This app provides detailed surf forecasts, live conditions, and expert analysis to help surfers plan their sessions. Access over 1000 live cams worldwide, hourly data on wave height, wind, and tide, and track your progress with session logging. Premium members receive exclusive discounts and giveaways.

Highlights
  • Global live surf cams
  • Hourly condition data
  • Expert surf reports
  • Detailed forecast analysis
  • Session logging
  • Apple Watch integration
Features
Read full description

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).

About

Surf Report

Access detailed surf forecasts for over 6,000 global surf spots. Filter conditions like swell height, direction, and wind speed to find the optimal time for your next session. Offers a 7-day forecast and wave map for pro users.

Highlights
  • Global surf spot forecasts
  • Advanced filtering options
  • 7-day surf forecast
  • 7-day wave map
  • Swell height, period, and direction
  • Wind speed and direction
Features
Read full description

Surf Report provide surf forecast of 6268 surf spot in the world. Surf report add filter to select the best time to surf. the filter include time, swell height, swell period, swell direction, wind speed, wind direction. 【Pro】 Surf Report for 7 days wave map for 7 days Purchase Notes: 1. The account will be automatically renewed and deducted the corresponding fee 1 day before the expiration. 2. If you need to cancel the renewal, please cancel in your personal iTunes account at least 1 day in advance. 3. After purchase, users can manage or turn off automatic renewal in personal account settings. Terms of Services : https://www.astronomyobserver.net/h5/surf/user Privacy policy: https://www.astronomyobserver.net/h5/surf/privacy

Screenshots

Surfline4 screens
Surf Report4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Surfline at 86% against Surf Report's 25%. Surfline also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 2 months) and ratings volume (31K vs 4). Surf Report's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and rating (5.0 vs 4.7). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model 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. Surfline sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $14.95 per month and Surf Report sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Surf Report holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Surfline has 31K ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 86% of Surfline's written reviews are positive against 25% of Surf Report's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Surfline ships an update weekly, Surf Report every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
Surfline versus Surf Report: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSurflineSurf Report
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (31K ratings)5.0 (4 ratings) — better
Positive reviews85.9% of reviews — better25.0% of reviews
Number of ratings31K — better4
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 2 months
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFreemium
Best chart rank#6 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS17.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size207 MB24 MB
Age rating9+4+
DeveloperSurfline/Wavetrak雪平 王

Customer experience

Surfline

All ratings30,594 ratings
Positive93.2%
Neutral2.0%
Negative4.8%
Written reviews2,538 reviews
Positive85.9%
Neutral4.7%
Negative9.4%

Surf Report

All ratings4 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive25.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative75.0%

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
Show 1 more
  • Offline mode for accessing key information

Surf Report

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

10 purchases

Surfline

Subscriptions10
  • Surfline Premium$14.951 Month
  • Surfline Premium3 variants$15.991 Month
  • SL Premium - Monthly2 variants$15.991 Month
Show 7 more
  • Surfline Forecast membership7 Days trial$39.991 Year
  • Surfline Premium with ads7 Days trial$69.991 Year
  • Surfline Premium1 Year trial2 variants$99.991 Year
  • Surfline Premium$99.991 Year
  • Surfline Premium7 Days trial2 variants$119.991 Year
  • Surfline Premium1 Year trial$119.991 Year
  • Surfline Premium+7 Days trial$149.991 Year
3 purchases

Surf Report

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Pro$2.991 Month
  • Annual Pro$17.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime Pro$49.99

Questions

Is Surfline free?
Surfline is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Surf Report free?
Surf Report is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Surfline or Surf Report?
Surf Report is rated higher. Surfline averages 4.7 out of 5 from 31K ratings, while Surf Report averages 5.0 from 4 ratings.
Do Surfline or Surf Report have ads?
Surfline shows ads; Surf Report does not.
Which is updated more often, Surfline or Surf Report?
Surfline ships an update weekly, and Surf Report every 2 months. Most recently, Surfline was updated on October 17, 2026 and Surf Report on October 1, 2026.

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