# Surfline vs OpenSnow

The clearest difference is ads: OpenSnow at none against Surfline's shown. Surfline's advantage is ratings volume (31K vs 9.1K) and chart position (#5 vs #17). On price, rating, review sentiment and update cadence there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Surfline sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $14.95 per month and OpenSnow sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $49.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Surfline against 4.7 for OpenSnow. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 31K and 9.1K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 86% of Surfline's written reviews are positive against 80% of OpenSnow's.

Surfline ships an update weekly, OpenSnow every 11 days. Both last shipped on October 26, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Surfline | OpenSnow |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (31K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/surfline-wave-and-surf-reports/id393782096/reviews) | **[4.7 (9.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/opensnow/id780890907/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **31K** | 9.1K |
| Positive reviews | **85.9% of reviews** | 80.4% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Every 11 days |
| Monetization | Freemium | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#5** | #17 |
| Size | 207 MB | 125 MB |
| Requires iOS | **17.0** | 26.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 9+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Surfline/Wavetrak](https://appshunter.io/developer/329198084) | [Cloudnine Weather, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/487445927) |

## What reviewers say

### Surfline

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/surfline-wave-and-surf-reports/id393782096)

**Currently charting:** #5 Top Grossing · Weather, #25 Top Free · Weather (US App Store)

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:** Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Surfline Premium | $14.95 | per month |
| Surfline Premium | $15.99 | per month |
| SL Premium - Monthly | $15.99 | per month |
| Surfline Forecast membership | $39.99 | per year |
| Surfline Premium with ads | $69.99 | per year |
| Surfline Premium | $99.99 | per year |
| Surfline Premium | $99.99 | per year |
| Surfline Premium | $119.99 | per year |
| Surfline Premium | $119.99 | per year |
| Surfline Premium+ | $149.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🌊 Accurate surf forecasting
- 📽️ Useful live surf cams
- 🤙 Helpful for planning surf trips
- 🏄‍♂️ Invaluable for surfers
- 🗺️ Comprehensive coverage of surf spots

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🤑 Expensive premium subscription
- 🚫 Limited access for free users
- 🌐 Inconsistent accuracy of forecasts
- 🔍 Difficult to navigate for new users
- 🔴 Frequent ads for premium service

**Reported bugs**

- Frequent app crashes and freezes
- Inconsistent performance on different devices
- Unreliable live cam functionality
- Issues with login and account management

**Requested features**

- 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


### OpenSnow

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/opensnow/id780890907)

**Currently charting:** #17 Top Grossing · Weather, #45 Top Free · Weather (US App Store)

Get the most accurate snow forecasts, detailed snow reports, and severe weather maps. Access 15-day forecasts, local expert insights, and offline 3D maps for snow depth, avalanche risk, and more. Track storms with advanced radar and AI-powered weather systems.

**Highlights:** 15-Day Snow Forecast, Local Expert Snow Reports, 3D & Offline Weather Maps, AI-Powered Weather System, Severe Weather Tracking, Mountain Webcams, Snow Depth & Avalanche Risk Maps

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| OpenSnow Legacy | $49.99 | per year |
| OpenSnow Base | $49.99 | per year |
| OpenSnow Base Legacy | $49.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Accurate snow forecasts
- 📊 Detailed weather data and maps
- 🗺️ Comprehensive coverage of ski resorts
- 💻 Intuitive and user-friendly interface
- 🤖 Reliable and consistent forecasts

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Subscription model can be expensive
- 🌐 Limited coverage outside of North America
- 🕰️ Occasional delays in updating snow conditions
- 🤖 Inconsistent accuracy in long-term forecasts
- 🔒 Paywall restricts access to some features

**Reported bugs**

- Occasional crashes or freezes on certain devices
- Inconsistencies in the display of weather data and forecasts

**Requested features**

- Expand coverage to more international ski resorts
- Improve offline functionality and data availability
- Introduce more customization options for user preferences
- Enhance integration with other outdoor activity planning apps
- Provide more detailed snow and weather data for backcountry use


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Surfline free?

Surfline is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is OpenSnow free?

OpenSnow is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Surfline or OpenSnow?

OpenSnow is rated higher. Surfline averages 4.7 out of 5 from 31K ratings, while OpenSnow averages 4.7 from 9.1K ratings.

### Do Surfline or OpenSnow have ads?

Surfline shows ads; OpenSnow does not.

### Which is updated more often, Surfline or OpenSnow?

Surfline ships an update weekly, and OpenSnow every 11 days. Most recently, Surfline was updated on October 26, 2026 and OpenSnow on October 26, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Surfline or OpenSnow?

Surfline currently peaks at #5 in the App Store charts, and OpenSnow at #17. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*