Comparison

PCB Surf Flags vs Alabama Weather Network

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

Head to head
About

PCB Surf Flags

Get instant updates on rip current risk at Panama City Beach with this app. It uses the familiar color-coded flag system and offers multiple ways to stay informed, including home screen widgets and Apple Watch complications.

Highlights
  • Rip current risk alerts
  • Color-coded flag system
  • Home screen widget
  • Banner notifications
  • Apple Watch complication
  • Live beach webcam
Features
Read full description

The Panama City Beach, Florida - Surf Flags Advisory App This app allows you to quickly see the currently advised risk of rip current at Panama City Beach, using the familiar color-coded flag system. So quick, you don't even need to open the app! Offering several ways see, pick whichever you prefer: - A widget to place on your Home Screen - Banner notifications when the flags change - A complication and app for the Apple Watch Plus, the app offers information for additional ways to track the status: - How to receive text notifications - Links to the official webpages - A webcam to see the beach live

About

Alabama Weather Network

Get real-time, ad-free severe weather coverage and hyper-local forecasts for Alabama. Features live radar, push alerts, video forecasts, and unique camera feeds to keep you informed and safe.

Highlights
  • Live severe weather coverage
  • Hyper-local forecasts
  • Live radar and satellite imagery
  • Push alerts and notifications
  • Video forecasts and special segments
  • Real-time camera feeds
  • WeatherBrains podcast integration
Features
Currently charting
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FEATURES THAT KEEP YOU INFORMED AND SAFE ► Live Severe Weather Coverage Watch real-time, ad-free coverage of tornado warnings, flash flood emergencies, hurricanes, and other severe weather events from James Spann and the Alabama Weather Network team. When the weather gets serious, we’re on the air — and in the app — with expert analysis, radar updates, and ground truth from our team of Skywatchers and field reporters across the state. ► CurrentCast Every ten minutes, our rotating weather block gives you a fast-paced update on what’s happening across the state — including live radar, satellite, temperatures, dewpoints, wind speeds, and short-term forecasts. Never be more than a few minutes from the latest information. ► Local Forecasts that Matter We don’t do generic, one-size-fits-all forecasts. Our team knows Alabama inside and out. Whether you’re in Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Mobile, Huntsville, Dothan, or any of our 67 counties, we provide accurate, relevant forecasts for your community — including event-specific forecasts, beach weather, and seasonal updates. ► Live Radar and Satellite High-resolution radar and satellite imagery right at your fingertips. Track storms, follow rainfall, and watch the skies in real time with tools designed by meteorologists for regular users. ► Push Alerts and Notifications Receive instant alerts for watches, warnings, and custom AWN updates — straight from James Spann and the team. We don’t send spam. We send what matters. ► Video Forecasts and Special Segments Stream daily video forecasts, the amazing "Spanning Alabama" features, our comprehensive beach forecasts, and segments like The Weather Classroom and the Tropical Update. There’s always something new and local and relevant. ► SpannCamNetwork Watch real-time feeds from our growing network of high-definition cameras across Alabama, giving you a view of the weather where it’s happening — from the coast to the foothills of the Appalachians. See storms approaching, sunrises and sunsets, and storms building across the state. ► WeatherBrains Podcast Stream the world’s longest-running weather podcast directly in the app. Join James Spann and the WeatherBrains team each week as they interview meteorologists, discuss severe weather, and dive deep into the science and stories behind the forecast. BUILT FOR ALABAMA. POWERED BY TRUST. The Alabama Weather Network was created because Alabama needed more. More local weather coverage. More boots on the ground. More focus on what matters to our state. James Spann and the team built AWN to be the trusted weather source for every person, in every county — and this app brings that mission to your pocket. We’re not owned by a national media company. We aren't ruled by consultants. We do what's right for you - the people of Alabama.. PERFECT FOR: • Residents of Alabama who want accurate, up-to-date weather information • Families preparing for severe weather or hurricane season • Travelers heading to the Gulf Coast, state parks, or local events • Farmers, anglers, coaches, and event planners who depend on weather • Teachers and students who love learning about weather • Skywatchers, storm chasers, and weather enthusiasts • Anyone who follows James Spann and trusts his forecasts. JOIN THE NETWORK. STAY WEATHER AWARE. Whether you’re at home, at work, in the classroom, or on the road — the Alabama Weather Network app is with you. Download it today and experience weather coverage the Alabama way: smart, serious, and always local. This is more than an app. It’s Alabama’s Weather Network.

Screenshots

PCB Surf Flags1 screens
Alabama Weather Network4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: PCB Surf Flags at 100% against Alabama Weather Network's 62%. PCB Surf Flags also leads on ads (none vs shown) and rating (5.0 vs 4.7). Alabama Weather Network's advantage is ratings volume (192 vs 1) and chart position (#206 vs unranked). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

PCB Surf Flags holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Alabama Weather Network has 192 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of PCB Surf Flags's written reviews are positive against 62% of Alabama Weather Network's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PCB Surf Flags ships an update every 6 weeks, Alabama Weather Network every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
PCB Surf Flags versus Alabama Weather Network: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPCB Surf FlagsAlabama Weather Network
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better4.7 (192 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better61.9% of reviews
Number of ratings1192 — better
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeks — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterAd-supported
Best chart rank—#206 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS18.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size11 MB116 MB
Age rating4++4
DeveloperMichael HowardAlabama Weather Network

Customer experience

PCB Surf Flags

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Alabama Weather Network

All ratings191 ratings
Positive90.1%
Neutral2.1%
Negative7.9%
Written reviews42 reviews
Positive61.9%
Neutral9.5%
Negative28.6%

Bugs and requests

PCB Surf Flags

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Alabama Weather Network

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Occasional crashes
  • Inconsistent coverage for rural areas

Requested features

2 requests
  • Apple Watch integration
  • Live weather updates on the lock screen

In-app purchases

None

PCB Surf Flags

No in-app purchases

None

Alabama Weather Network

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is PCB Surf Flags free?
PCB Surf Flags is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Alabama Weather Network free?
Alabama Weather Network is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, PCB Surf Flags or Alabama Weather Network?
PCB Surf Flags is rated higher. PCB Surf Flags averages 5.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while Alabama Weather Network averages 4.7 from 192 ratings.
Do PCB Surf Flags or Alabama Weather Network have ads?
Alabama Weather Network shows ads; PCB Surf Flags does not.
Which is updated more often, PCB Surf Flags or Alabama Weather Network?
PCB Surf Flags ships an update every 6 weeks, and Alabama Weather Network every 2 months. Most recently, PCB Surf Flags was updated on October 20, 2026 and Alabama Weather Network on October 28, 2026.

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