Comparison

Tracks Magazine vs Surf Reader

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

Head to head
About

Tracks Magazine

Australia's premier surfing magazine delivers in-depth coverage of exotic surf spots, pro-circuit news, and local beach updates. Explore the world of hardcore surfing with exclusive content and back issues available for purchase.

Highlights
  • Surfing location features
  • Pro-circuit news
  • Local beach updates
  • Back issue purchases
  • Future issue subscriptions
  • Auto-renewing subscriptions
Features
Read full description

Tracks is Australia's leading surfing magazine. For over 40 years Tracks has tapped into the minds of cheeky grommets and grizzled gurus alike, and remains the voice of hardcore surfing in Australia today. Every month it takes you to the most exotic surfing locations, fills you in on what's happening on the pro-circuit as well as at your local beaches. Tracks is the surfer's bible. *Back issues and future issues are available for purchase within the App. Future issues are also available through the following auto-renewing subscription: • 1 Year at AU$34.99 The subscription will include the current issue if you do not already own it, and subsequently published future issues. Payment will be charged to your iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. This subscription will automatically renew unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period, your account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period. The cost of the renewal will match the initial subscription price. You may turn off auto-renewing subscriptions by going to your user’s Account Settings after purchase. No cancellation of the current subscription is allowed during your active subscription period. Privacy Policy: http://www.nextmedia.com.au/next-media-privacy-statement.html Terms of Use: http://www.nextmedia.com.au/next-media-terms-and-conditions.html

About

Surf Reader

Features
Read full description

Surf Reader is a pocket-sized coaching companion built around Martin Dunn's 40-year surf-coaching method. Read the break, set your intention before you paddle out, then rate the surf you actually had — and watch your wave-selection skill grow session by session. MAP THE BREAK Sand banks shift, rips appear, peaks drift. Turn what you see in the lineup into a saved beach map you can pull up before every paddle-out. Eight break types, drawn your way. PLAN WITH INTENTION "Just have fun" is a great mantra and a poor session plan. A guided 7-question flow gives you one specific thing to work on each surf. REVIEW HONESTLY Rate your session the moment you're back on the sand. Surf Reader closes the loop between what you planned and what you actually did. WATCH YOUR SKILL RISE Every session feeds a simple picture of your progress, so better wave selection becomes a habit — not a guess. BUILT FOR SURFERS • 5 languages — English, Español, Português, 日本語, Français • 8 break types to map • Local-first: your sessions, plans and maps stay on your device — no account required Built on Martin Dunn's coaching from eSurfR.com, MartinDunn.com.au, and Martin Dunn Surf Camps.

Screenshots

Tracks Magazine4 screens
Surf Reader3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Surf Reader at none against Tracks Magazine's 10. Surf Reader also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 7 months). Tracks Magazine's advantage is device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.0). On price and ads 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. Tracks Magazine sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $24.99 per year. Surf Reader asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Tracks Magazine ships an update every 7 months, Surf Reader every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Tracks Magazine versus Surf Reader: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTracks MagazineSurf Reader
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 7 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS13.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size96 MB85 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperZinio ProAshley Martin Dunn

In-app purchases

10 purchases

Tracks Magazine

Subscriptions1
  • 1 Year1 Month trial$24.991 Year
One-time9
  • Feb-16$2.99
  • Tracks: August 2014$3.99
  • Tracks: March$3.99
Show 6 more
  • 2014 Annual of Tracks$3.99
  • Mar-16$3.99
  • Apr-16$3.99
  • Aug-16$3.99
  • 2016 Annual$3.99
  • No. 558$3.99
None

Surf Reader

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Tracks Magazine free?
Tracks Magazine is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Surf Reader free?
Surf Reader is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Tracks Magazine or Surf Reader have ads?
Neither Tracks Magazine nor Surf Reader shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Tracks Magazine or Surf Reader?
Tracks Magazine ships an update every 7 months, and Surf Reader every 2 weeks. Most recently, Tracks Magazine was updated on October 24, 2026 and Surf Reader on October 16, 2026.

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