Comparison

Surf Forecast vs Wavemaps

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

Head to head
About

Surf Forecast

This app uses AI and real-time data to provide precise surf predictions for wave, swell, wind, and tide. It offers live reports from numerous locations and a user-friendly interface for surfers of all levels.

Highlights
  • AI-powered surf predictions
  • Real-time surf reports
  • Wave, swell, wind, and tide forecasts
  • User-friendly interface
  • Coverage of 30+ US locations
Features
Read full description

LiveSurf.ai: Your Ultimate Surf Forecast Companion. Discover the future of surf forecasting with LiveSurf.ai! Our cutting-edge app leverages the power of machine learning and artificial intelligence to deliver the most precise surf predictions available. By integrating real-time data from NOAA buoys and monitoring stations with advanced AI algorithms, LiveSurf.ai provides surfers with unparalleled accuracy in wave, swell, wind and tide forecasts. Key Features: - Real-Time Surf Reports: Stay updated with live data from over 30 locations across the United States. - Advanced AI Predictions: Experience the most accurate surf forecasts powered by sophisticated AI technology. - Comprehensive Coverage: Continuously expanding to include more surf spots nationwide. - User-Friendly Interface: Easily navigate through detailed surf conditions and alerts. Whether you’re a seasoned surfer or just catching your first wave, LiveSurf.ai is your go-to app for reliable and advanced surf forecasting. Download now and ride the waves with confidence!

About

Wavemaps

This app provides detailed wave, surf, and wind forecasts for water enthusiasts and marine professionals. It offers global and nearshore wave modeling, real-time ocean data, and interactive 3D maps to visualize conditions. Users can save favorite locations and access premium features for advanced analysis.

Highlights
  • Global and nearshore wave forecasts
  • Custom ultra high-resolution wave models
  • Thousands of worldwide locations
  • Real-time ocean conditions from buoys
  • Interactive 3D-capable maps
  • Wave-seabed interaction visualization
  • Professional tools and extended forecasts
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Wavemaps — A Professional Wave Forecasting Platform Wavemaps is a professional wave, wind, and marine forecasting platform built for people who spend serious time on or near the water. Surfers, fishers, sailors, captains, lifeguards, marine engineers, and coastal professionals run on the same system: the world's leading wave and marine weather models, refined into hyperlocal forecasts up to 16 days out. MULTI-MODEL COMPARISON Detailed wave forecasts compared side by side across leading global models, including ECMWF and GFS. Read the agreement between models at a glance and make calls with confidence. WAVEMAPS TIME MACHINE Visualize wave and wind forecast maps from 1979 to the present. Replay historical swells, storms, and seasons — and save them as memories to revisit. WAVEMAPS ENERGY COMPASS Our signature swell-direction visualization. See where wave energy is coming from, how it's distributed across components, and how it aligns with the coast you care about. ADVANCED SWELL COMPONENT ANALYSIS Decompose every wave forecast into its swell and wind-wave components — height, period, and direction for each. Know exactly which swell is doing the work. WAVEMAPS HD Ultra-high-resolution nearshore wave forecasts powered by our custom Wavemaps HD engine. For the first time in a forecasting platform, see how waves interact with the seabed — bathymetry, refraction, and shoaling rendered the way you'd see them on a research instrument. Available only in certain regions. WIND FORECASTS High-resolution wind forecasts including gusts, sustained speeds, and direction. Identify offshore, side-shore, and onshore conditions for any spot. THOUSANDS OF LOCATIONS Browse surf spots, fishing zones, and wave buoys worldwide. Save your favorites for personalized forecasts. Add your own spots and pull wave forecasts anywhere in the world. INTERACTIVE 3D MAPS Explore ultra-high-resolution maps of ocean and weather conditions across nearshore and offshore areas. Smooth, GPU-driven 3D visualization helps you understand current conditions and how they're changing over time. PROFESSIONAL FEATURES Premium subscriptions unlock advanced capabilities, extended forecast ranges, and deeper data analysis for users who need traceable, decision-grade ocean intelligence. Terms of Service: https://www.wavemaps.com/terms Privacy Policy: https://www.wavemaps.com/privacy

Screenshots

Surf Forecast4 screens
Wavemaps4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Surf Forecast at none against Wavemaps's 2. Wavemaps's advantage is ratings volume (236 vs 2) and update cadence (every 3 months vs every 9 months). On price, rating, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Wavemaps sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month. Surf Forecast asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Surf Forecast against 4.9 for Wavemaps. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Wavemaps has 236 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Surf Forecast ships an update every 9 months, Wavemaps every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 5, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
Surf Forecast versus Wavemaps: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSurf ForecastWavemaps
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better4.9 (236 ratings)
Positive reviews—87.5% of reviews
Number of ratings2236 — better
Update frequencyEvery 9 monthsEvery 3 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank—#121 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.0 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size3 MB119 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAvatar Interactive LLCMiguel Canals

Customer experience

Surf Forecast

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Wavemaps

All ratings186 ratings
Positive96.8%
Neutral0.5%
Negative2.7%
Written reviews24 reviews
Positive87.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative12.5%

In-app purchases

None

Surf Forecast

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Wavemaps

Subscriptions2
  • Wavemaps Pro7 Days trial$7.991 Month
  • Wavemaps Pro7 Days trial$59.991 Year

Questions

Is Surf Forecast free?
Surf Forecast is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Wavemaps free?
Wavemaps is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Surf Forecast or Wavemaps?
Surf Forecast is rated higher. Surf Forecast averages 5.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while Wavemaps averages 4.9 from 236 ratings.
Do Surf Forecast or Wavemaps have ads?
Neither Surf Forecast nor Wavemaps shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Surf Forecast or Wavemaps?
Surf Forecast ships an update every 9 months, and Wavemaps every 3 months. Most recently, Surf Forecast was updated on October 5, 2026 and Wavemaps on October 28, 2026.

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