The Buoy vs Seascore
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
The Buoy
Get real-time ocean swell updates including size, period, and direction. This app combines buoy data with surf forecasts to help you plan your sessions and save your favorite conditions.
- Real-time swell data
- Swell size, period, and direction
- Surf forecast integration
- Save favorite conditions
- Lock screen widget
Read full descriptionHide full description
The Buoy is the simplest way to take the pulse of the ocean. Thanks to data provided by services like the NOAA in the US, Cerema (Candhis) in France, Channel Coastal Observatory in the UK/Ireland, Portus in Spain and Hidrografico in Portugal, the buoy allows you to know in real-time the swell conditions around you: size, period, and direction. But The Buoy goes even further. We cross-reference this data with surf forecasts so you can easily plan your sessions. You can also save your favorite conditions to know exactly when a spot is working according to YOUR criteria. Our widget, very easy to use, allows you to have the conditions at your favourite buoy in real-time on your iPhone's locked screen. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Seascore
This app simplifies complex marine forecasts into an easy-to-understand score from 1-10, indicating the ideal conditions for boating. It analyzes wind, waves, and marine forecasts to help users plan their time on the water.
- Simple 1-10 boating score
- Analyzes wind speed and gusts
- Evaluates wave height and conditions
- Provides marine forecasts
- Hour-by-hour boating windows
- Tailored to different boat types
Read full descriptionHide full description
Stop guessing if the water will be good. Seascore turns complex marine forecasts into a simple 1–10 score that tells you how great the day is for getting on the water. Whether you’re cruising, fishing, sailing, or just heading out for a sunset ride, SeaScore analyzes the conditions that matter most: • Wind speed and gusts • Wave height and conditions • Marine forecasts • Hour-by-hour boating windows A 10/10 means it’s one of the best boating days you’ve had recently. A lower score helps you know when conditions may be uncomfortable or better saved for another day. Different boats have different needs. A calm day might be perfect for a powerboat, while a breezier day could be ideal for sailing. Seascore helps you understand what kind of day the water is offering. Plan ahead. Pick the best time. Spend more days on the water. Your boating forecast, simplified.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Seascore at 5.0 against The Buoy's 4.5. Seascore also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 6) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 3 weeks). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume 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
Both are free to download. The Buoy sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Seascore asks for nothing beyond the download.
Seascore holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 5 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 97% of The Buoy's written reviews are positive against 100% of Seascore's.
The Buoy ships an update every 3 weeks, Seascore every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 27, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | The Buoy | Seascore |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.5 (2 ratings) | 5.0 (5 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 97.1% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 2 | 5 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Every 2 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 68 MB | 1 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Thomas Cailhol | Noreaster Group, LLC |
Customer experience
The Buoy
Seascore
In-app purchases
The Buoy
- Monthly wax supply$2.991 Month
- Monthly wax supply$3.991 Month
- Monthly wax supply$8.991 Month
- Wax supply$2.99
- Wax supply$3.99
- Wax supply$8.99
Seascore
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is The Buoy free?
Is Seascore free?
Which has better reviews, The Buoy or Seascore?
Do The Buoy or Seascore have ads?
Which is updated more often, The Buoy or Seascore?
Other comparisons















