Surfboard vs Headly
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Surfboard
This app acts as a personalized news aggregator, allowing users to easily organize and curate content from various online sources into a single, streamlined feed. It offers a customizable reading experience with features like dark/light mode adaptation and respects system text size settings for accessibility.
- Effortless URL management
- Customizable content curation by topics
- Streamlined single feed
- SwiftUI interface
- SwiftData for reliable data handling
- System setting adaptation (dark/light mode)
- Accessibility-focused design
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Surfboard - RSS Reader is not just an app; it's your personalized news concierge. Designed for the savvy, on-the-go individual, Surfboard transforms how you interact with the online world of news, blogs, and stories. Effortless Organization: Easily add and manage URLs with our Feeds feature. No more jumping between sites - get all your favorite content in one streamlined feed. Customized Content Curation: Our Topics feature allows you to categorize your feeds, ensuring you only see what interests you. Tailor your news experience to your personal tastes and preferences. State-of-the-Art Technology: Enjoy a smooth, responsive interface crafted with SwiftUI. Experience quick, reliable data handling thanks to SwiftData - all leading to a more enjoyable reading experience. A Reading Experience Tailored to You: Surfboard automatically adapts to your preferred system settings. Whether you're a fan of dark mode or prefer light mode, the app adjusts to your choice, ensuring a comfortable reading environment. Accessibility-First Design: We recognize the importance of accessibility. That's why Surfboard respects your device's text size settings, making it easier for everyone, including users with visual impairments, to read and enjoy content. Why Choose Surfboard? In a world overloaded with information, Surfboard is your personal filter, bringing you directly to what matters most. It's not just about staying updated; it's about staying informed in the most convenient, personalized way possible. With Surfboard, you control the waves of information. Dive into a world where content meets convenience. Welcome to Surfboard - RSS Reader. Your news, refined and defined by you.
Headly
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Stay informed in seconds, not hours. Headly is your intelligent news companion, delivering personalized briefings powered by Apple Intelligence. Built for busy people who want to stay current without the noise. WHY HEADLY? News never stops. When you open a news website later, you may not know if you have already read a story, which can waste your time. Headly solves this by collecting all your news into one clear, chronological timeline. The latest stories appear first, followed by earlier updates. All your sources are merged into a single continuous feed. Preview any story with one tap. When you are done reading, swipe left to mark it as read and keep your feed organized. Designed for professionals who rely on timely information, including CEO, founders, executives, and decision makers. Used by leaders in banking, technology, consulting, and media, as well as entrepreneurs, analysts, investors, and busy knowledge workers who need to stay informed without distraction. Perfect for morning commutes, coffee breaks, or staying informed throughout your day. Download Headly and transform how you consume news. Free to download with optional Premium subscription for advanced features. SMART NEWS DELIVERY • View all your news sources in one unified timeline • Stay focused with a clean and structured reading experience • Mark articles as read with a simple swipe • Undo actions instantly to recover important stories • Filter news by your preferred time range • Support small, medium, and large widgets PREMIUM • Receive AI-powered summaries from your trusted sources at your preferred time • Read or listen to news with a single tap, ideal for commutes and multitasking • Choose your preferred voice for audio playback • Translate summaries into your selected language, including English, Dutch, French, German, Spanish, and Italian • Add and manage your own RSS feeds PERSONALIZED FOR YOU Choose from trusted publications across more than 15 countries: • United States: The New York Times, ABC, FOX, NPR, The Washington Post • United Kingdom: BBC, The Guardian, Sky News • Canada: CBC News, CityNews, Global News • Belgium: HLN, GVA, VRT NWS, De Standaard, Nieuwsblad • Netherlands: NOS, NU.nl, AD, De Telegraaf • Germany: DER SPIEGEL, Die Zeit, Tagesschau • France: Le Monde, Le Figaro, France 24 • Spain: El País, El Mundo, ABC • Also available in Australia, Japan, India, Brazil, and more FEEDBACK AND QUESTIONS Your feedback matters. Share your thoughts, suggestions, or report any issues, and I’ll use them to improve Headly. Contact me directly at https://www.stefanvd.net/support/ SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION A Headly Premium subscription is required for full access. Payment will be charged to your App Store account upon confirmation of purchase. The subscription renews automatically unless it is canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current billing period. You can manage or cancel your subscription at any time in your App Store account settings. Terms of Use: https://www.stefanvd.net/terms/ Privacy Policy: https://www.stefanvd.net/privacy/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Headly at Free against Surfboard's $4.99. Surfboard's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 6 weeks). On ads 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
Headly is free to download; Surfboard costs $4.99 up front. Headly sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Surfboard asks for nothing beyond the download.
Surfboard ships an update fortnightly, Headly every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 27, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Surfboard | Headly |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 5.0 (2 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 2 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly — better | Every 6 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | — |
| Best chart rank | #118 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac, Vision Pro | iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 — better | 26.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 4 MB | 14 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | Ian Leon | Stefan Van Damme |
In-app purchases
Surfboard
No in-app purchases
Headly
- Monthly Premium$1.991 Month
- Yearly Premium$17.991 Year









