# Subway Surfers vs True Surf

The clearest difference is rating: Subway Surfers at 4.6 against True Surf's 3.9. Subway Surfers also leads on review sentiment (87% vs 61%) and ratings volume (3.9M vs 3.5K). True Surf's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Subway Surfers sells 10 one-off in-app purchases and True Surf sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Subway Surfers holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Subway Surfers has 3.9M ratings behind it against 3.5K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 87% of Subway Surfers's written reviews are positive against 61% of True Surf's.

Subway Surfers ships an update weekly, True Surf fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 27, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Subway Surfers | True Surf |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.6 (3.9M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/subway-surfers/id512939461/reviews)** | [3.9 (3.5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/true-surf/id1177819604/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **3.9M** | 3.5K |
| Positive reviews | **86.5% of reviews** | 60.8% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Fortnightly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#4** | #82 |
| Size | 392 MB | 211 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 9+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Sybo Games ApS](https://appshunter.io/developer/471259040) | [True Axis](https://appshunter.io/developer/337866373) |

## What reviewers say

### Subway Surfers

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/subway-surfers/id512939461)

**Currently charting:** #4 Top Free · Action, #19 Top Free · Casual, #38 Top Free · Games, #104 Top Grossing · Action (US App Store)

Embark on an exhilarating endless running adventure. Dash through vibrant environments, dodge obstacles, and outrun pursuers. Utilize power-ups like jetpacks and hoverboards to enhance your escape and achieve high scores.

**Highlights:** Endless running gameplay, Dodge oncoming trains, Grind trains, Colorful HD graphics, Hoverboard surfing, Paint powered jetpack

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 7,500 Coins | $0.99 | one-time |
| 12 500 Coins | $0.99 | one-time |
| Starter Pack | $0.99 | one-time |
| Coin Pack 1 | $0.99 | one-time |
| 45,000 Coins | $4.99 | one-time |
| Double Coins | $4.99 | one-time |
| 65 000 Coins | $4.99 | one-time |
| 25 Keys | $4.99 | one-time |
| 40 Keys | $4.99 | one-time |
| Key Pack 1 | $4.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🎮 Addictive and fun gameplay
- 📱 Works well offline
- 🎨 Diverse characters and themes
- 🎢 Challenging and fast-paced
- 🎁 Rewarding progression system

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Expensive in-app purchases
- 🕰️ Frequent updates can be disruptive
- 🐛 Occasional bugs and glitches
- 🕹️ Difficulty controlling character at times
- 🔍 Lack of save/sync across devices

**Reported bugs**

- Game crashes after updates
- Disappearing high scores and progress
- Unresponsive controls during gameplay
- Ads that redirect to App Store unexpectedly

**Requested features**

- Ability to save progress across devices
- More customization options for characters
- Difficulty settings or modes
- Multiplayer/competitive features
- Reduced ad frequency or ad-free option


### True Surf

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/true-surf/id1177819604)

**Currently charting:** #82 Top Grossing · Sports (US App Store)

Experience the most authentic surfing simulation with realistic physics and live weather forecasts from Surfline. Master real-time controls, travel to world-famous breaks, and compete in WSL events. Evolve your surfer, build your gear, and chase the perfect wave.

**Highlights:** Realistic physics simulation, Live Surfline weather forecasts, World-famous surf breaks, Real-time touch controls, Character progression and customization, Board quiver management, Live WSL competitions

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Perfect Storm (monthly) | $2.99 | per month |
| Frequent Flyer (monthly) | $2.99 | per month |
| Handful of Clams | $0.99 | one-time |
| Bag of Clams | $7.99 | one-time |
| Chest of Clams | $28.99 | one-time |
| Boatload of Clams | $49.99 | one-time |
| Sea of Clams | $99.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🌊 Realistic wave physics and graphics
- 🤙 Fun and addictive gameplay
- 🔥 Best surfing game on mobile
- 👍 Intuitive controls once learned
- 🌍 Variety of real-world surf spots

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Expensive in-app purchases for boards and upgrades
- 🐢 Extremely slow progression and leveling up
- 🤯 Inconsistent and unreliable scoring system
- 🌊 Lack of consistently good waves at many locations
- 🔋 Battery draining issues

**Reported bugs**

- Waves not generating properly at Surf Ranch
- Progression resets and lost progress
- Inability to travel to desired surf spots

**Requested features**

- First-person camera mode
- Customizable boards and characters
- Competitive multiplayer mode
- Career mode with challenges and sponsorships
- Ability to create and share custom surf spots


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Subway Surfers free?

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

### Is True Surf free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Subway Surfers or True Surf?

Subway Surfers is rated higher. Subway Surfers averages 4.6 out of 5 from 3.9M ratings, while True Surf averages 3.9 from 3.5K ratings.

### Do Subway Surfers or True Surf have ads?

Subway Surfers shows ads; True Surf does not.

### Which is updated more often, Subway Surfers or True Surf?

Subway Surfers ships an update weekly, and True Surf fortnightly. Most recently, Subway Surfers was updated on October 26, 2026 and True Surf on October 27, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Subway Surfers or True Surf?

Subway Surfers currently peaks at #4 in the App Store charts, and True Surf at #82. 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.*