Comparison

The Buoy vs Seascore

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • Real-time swell data
  • Swell size, period, and direction
  • Surf forecast integration
  • Save favorite conditions
  • Lock screen widget
Features
Read 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/

About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read 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

The Buoy4 screens
Seascore3 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

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.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
The Buoy versus Seascore: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterThe BuoySeascore
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (2 ratings)5.0 (5 ratings) — better
Positive reviews97.1% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings25 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.1 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size68 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperThomas CailholNoreaster Group, LLC

Customer experience

The Buoy

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews34 reviews
Positive97.1%
Neutral0.0%
Negative2.9%

Seascore

All ratings5 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

6 purchases

The Buoy

Subscriptions3
  • Monthly wax supply$2.991 Month
  • Monthly wax supply$3.991 Month
  • Monthly wax supply$8.991 Month
One-time3
  • Wax supply$2.99
  • Wax supply$3.99
  • Wax supply$8.99
None

Seascore

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is The Buoy free?
The Buoy is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Seascore free?
Seascore is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, The Buoy or Seascore?
Seascore is rated higher. The Buoy averages 4.5 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while Seascore averages 5.0 from 5 ratings.
Do The Buoy or Seascore have ads?
Neither The Buoy nor Seascore shows ads.
Which is updated more often, The Buoy or Seascore?
The Buoy ships an update every 3 weeks, and Seascore every 2 weeks. Most recently, The Buoy was updated on October 27, 2026 and Seascore on October 10, 2026.

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