Comparison

Surfboard vs Really Simple Reader

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Currently charting
Read full description

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.

About

Really Simple Reader

Features
Read full description

A feed reader that doesn't take itself more seriously than your articles. Really Simple Reader shows you what you've subscribed to – chronological, clear, no algorithm, no banner ads, no forced sign-up. As simple as it sounds: Enter a feed URL, done. Really Simple Reader stores everything locally on your device – no account needed. No login, no email address, no cloud requirement. Everything a feed reader needs: • A combined timeline for all feeds – or filtered by folder • A clean article view with no distractions, with Safari Reader as a fallback • Folders to organize your sources • "Read Later" for articles that don't fit right now • Notifications for new articles (optional) • Import/export your feed list (OPML) • Automatic cleanup of old articles, fully adjustable Your data stays your data. Everything is stored locally on your device. If you want, you can optionally enable sync across multiple devices – a deliberate extra feature, never a requirement. Really Simple Reader is for anyone who wants to use RSS the way it was meant to be: a calm, reliable way to keep track of your own sources – without an app getting between you and your articles.

Screenshots

Surfboard3 screens
Really Simple Reader4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Really Simple Reader at Free against Surfboard's $4.99. Really Simple Reader also leads on update cadence (every 5 days vs fortnightly). Surfboard's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and chart position (#117 vs unranked). On ads and iOS requirement 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

Really Simple Reader is free to download; Surfboard costs $4.99 up front. Really Simple Reader sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Surfboard asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Surfboard ships an update fortnightly, Really Simple Reader every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 18, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
Surfboard versus Really Simple Reader: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSurfboardReally Simple Reader
Price$4.99Free — better
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequencyFortnightlyEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaid—
Best chart rank#117 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac, Vision Pro — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.018.0
Further details — not scored
Size4 MB11 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperIan LeonEnrico Weinhold

In-app purchases

None

Surfboard

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Really Simple Reader

One-time1
  • Full Access$2.99

Questions

Is Surfboard free?
Surfboard costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Really Simple Reader free?
Really Simple Reader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Surfboard or Really Simple Reader have ads?
Neither Surfboard nor Really Simple Reader shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Surfboard or Really Simple Reader?
Surfboard ships an update fortnightly, and Really Simple Reader every 5 days. Most recently, Surfboard was updated on September 24, 2026 and Really Simple Reader on September 18, 2026.

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