Comparison

SurfersCompass vs Surf Reader

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

Head to head
About

SurfersCompass

This app offers expert-led surf training programs focusing on fitness, strength, mobility, and breathwork. Improve your technique, build mindset, and enhance endurance with structured video sessions and drills for all skill levels.

Highlights
  • Structured video training
  • Surf fitness and strength programs
  • Mindset and breathwork sessions
  • Technique improvement drills
  • Expert surf coaching
Features
Read full description

Surfers Compass is your all-in-one surf training app designed to help you level up your surfing—whether you're a beginner or an experienced rider. Access expert-led surf coaching programs that combine surf fitness, surf strength, surf mobility, and breathwork to improve every aspect of your performance in and out of the water. Explore a wide range of surf workouts, surf drills, and surf movement sessions tailored to your goals. Enhance your surf technique with step-by-step breakdowns, build your mindset with focused sessions, and improve your breath control for better endurance in the water. Whether you're looking to boost your paddling power, nail your bottom turns, or stay calm under pressure, Surfers Compass is your ultimate guide to becoming a better surfer. Features: Structured video training for all levels (Beginner to Advanced) Categories including Surf Coaching, Surf Strength, Mindset, Breathwork, and more Expert tips to improve your surfing technique and performance Improve your Surfing on Every Level World class Surf coaching - At your fingers tips Surf Technique. Movement. Breath. Mindset By downloading this app you accept SurfersCompass's privacy policy and terms of use. https://surfersgym.orderofn.com/privacy-policy/ https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Surf Reader

Features
Read full description

Surf Reader is a pocket-sized coaching companion built around Martin Dunn's 40-year surf-coaching method. Read the break, set your intention before you paddle out, then rate the surf you actually had — and watch your wave-selection skill grow session by session. MAP THE BREAK Sand banks shift, rips appear, peaks drift. Turn what you see in the lineup into a saved beach map you can pull up before every paddle-out. Eight break types, drawn your way. PLAN WITH INTENTION "Just have fun" is a great mantra and a poor session plan. A guided 7-question flow gives you one specific thing to work on each surf. REVIEW HONESTLY Rate your session the moment you're back on the sand. Surf Reader closes the loop between what you planned and what you actually did. WATCH YOUR SKILL RISE Every session feeds a simple picture of your progress, so better wave selection becomes a habit — not a guess. BUILT FOR SURFERS • 5 languages — English, Español, Português, 日本語, Français • 8 break types to map • Local-first: your sessions, plans and maps stay on your device — no account required Built on Martin Dunn's coaching from eSurfR.com, MartinDunn.com.au, and Martin Dunn Surf Camps.

Screenshots

SurfersCompass4 screens
Surf Reader3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Surf Reader at none against SurfersCompass's 2. On price, update cadence, 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. SurfersCompass sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Surf Reader asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SurfersCompass ships an update fortnightly, Surf Reader every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 18, 2026 and September 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 7 level
SurfersCompass versus Surf Reader: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSurfersCompassSurf Reader
PriceFreeFree
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Update frequencyFortnightlyEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.6 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size44 MB85 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperOrderOfN SolutionsAshley Martin Dunn

In-app purchases

2 purchases

SurfersCompass

Subscriptions2
  • Premium for Monthly Membership$9.991 Month
  • Premium for Yearly Membership$79.991 Year
None

Surf Reader

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SurfersCompass free?
SurfersCompass is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Surf Reader free?
Surf Reader is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do SurfersCompass or Surf Reader have ads?
Neither SurfersCompass nor Surf Reader shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SurfersCompass or Surf Reader?
SurfersCompass ships an update fortnightly, and Surf Reader every 2 weeks. Most recently, SurfersCompass was updated on September 18, 2026 and Surf Reader on September 30, 2026.

Other comparisons