Comparison

SPF vs Paddle Check

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

Head to head
About

SPF

This app helps you achieve a faster and safer tan by tracking UV levels, providing personalized routines, and reminding you to reapply sunscreen. Monitor your progress and avoid burns with a structured approach to sun exposure.

Highlights
  • Real-time UV level checks
  • Customized tanning routines
  • Daily SPF and skincare plan
  • Sunscreen reapplication alerts
  • Tan progress tracking
  • Quick tan timer
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

SPF helps you understand UV conditions and plan your time in the sun with a personalized routine built around your skin type. WHAT YOU GET WITH YOUR SUBSCRIPTION - Real-time UV index — see current UV levels for your location - Personalized tanning routine — tailored to your skin type - Quick Tan timer — time your tanning sessions - Tan progress tracking — log your sessions A clear plan instead of guesswork. Built for people who want structure around their time in the sun. Download SPF and start building your routine. — — — SUBSCRIPTION SPF is a subscription-based app. An active auto-renewable subscription is required to access app features. SPF Premium is $5.99/week with a 3-day free trial. Pricing and subscription length are also shown in the app before purchase. - Payment is charged to your Apple ID at confirmation of purchase. - Subscriptions auto-renew unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. - Your account is charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. - Manage subscriptions and turn off auto-renewal in your Apple ID Account Settings. - Any unused portion of a free trial is forfeited upon purchase of a subscription. DATA & PRIVACY SPF processes facial and skin images on your device to estimate skin attributes (such as tone and skin type) used to personalize your tanning routine. No biometric identification data is collected. All image data is stored exclusively on your device and is deleted when you uninstall the app. HEALTH & SAFETY NOTICE SPF provides general guidance based on UV index and weather data. It is not a medical device and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. UV exposure carries inherent risks, including skin damage, premature aging, and skin cancer. Consult a qualified healthcare professional or dermatologist before making decisions about sun exposure, particularly if you have a history of skin conditions, are taking photosensitizing medications, or have other health concerns. Always follow guidance from medical professionals over recommendations in this app. WEATHER DATA SPF uses Apple Weather to provide UV index and weather information. Learn more about Apple WeatherKit at: https://weatherkit.apple.com/legal-attribution.html LINKS Terms of Use (EULA): https://forested-danger-c97.notion.site/SPF-Terms-and-Conditions-1d21673c1ce280598b03c03583b3bf14 Privacy Policy: https://forested-danger-c97.notion.site/SPF-Privacy-Policy-1d21673c1ce2807fa560e63f8cb21191

About

Paddle Check

This app provides a clear, instant verdict on water safety for paddleboarders, kayakers, and canoeists. It analyzes live conditions, craft type, and experience level to offer a simple Go, Caution, or No-Go decision with actionable reasons.

Highlights
  • Instant Go, Caution, No-Go verdict
  • Reasons for safety decisions
  • Practical safety suggestions
  • Float plan sharing
  • Craft and experience level customization
  • Offline functionality
Features
Read full description

Decide before you launch. Paddle Check gives paddle boarders, kayakers and canoeists a fast, clear answer to one critical question: Is it safe to go on the water right now? Built by the team behind PaddlePal, this app turns live conditions into a simple, explainable decision — so you rely on judgement, not guesswork. A CLEAR VERDICT IN SECONDS Open the app, select your craft and experience level, and get an instant result: GO — conditions are favourable. CAUTION — be aware, extra care needed. NO-GO — stay off the water. No charts. No jargon. No scrolling. WHY PADDLE CHECK IS DIFFERENT Most weather and marine apps show raw data. Paddle Check shows what it means for you. It is designed specifically for small craft and considers: • Wind direction, not just speed • Gusts and changing conditions • Tides and currents that affect your return, not just your launch • Cold water risk based on real exposure data • Your craft type and experience level You get the decision and the reason behind it. WHAT YOU WILL SEE • One clear Go, Caution or No-Go verdict • Exactly three plain-language reasons explaining the decision • One practical safety suggestion you can act on immediately That is it. Simple. Focused. Useful. SHARE A FLOAT PLAN Let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return. Paddle Check makes it easy to share a float plan with friends or loved ones before you head out, so someone always knows your plan. BUILT FOR REAL PADDLERS • Designed for SUP, kayak and canoe • Works fast, even on the beach with poor signal • Clean, high-contrast interface built for outdoor use • No accounts, no ads, no tracking Just open it and decide. Paddle Check is created by the team behind PaddlePal — trusted by paddlers worldwide to track sessions and explore safely. This app complements PaddlePal by helping you make the right decision before you even launch. IMPORTANT Paddle Check provides guidance only. It does not replace training, local knowledge, or official forecasts. Conditions change quickly and the final decision is always yours. Think before you launch. Confidence is not a forecast.

Screenshots

SPF4 screens
Paddle Check4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Paddle Check at 100% against SPF's 32%. Paddle Check also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 7). SPF's advantage is price (Free vs $3.99) and update cadence (weekly vs every 3 months). On 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

SPF is free to download; Paddle Check costs $3.99 up front. SPF sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per 7 days. Paddle Check asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SPF ships an update weekly, Paddle Check every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on November 8, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
SPF versus Paddle Check: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSPFPaddle Check
PriceFree — better$3.99
Rating4.6 (5K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews31.8% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings5K — better—
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
Best chart rank#60 — better—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS16.6 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size212 MB5 MB
Age rating9+4+
DeveloperBluPalmsSailr Solutions Ltd

Customer experience

SPF

All ratings4,998 ratings
Positive88.9%
Neutral5.2%
Negative5.9%
Written reviews157 reviews
Positive31.8%
Neutral9.6%
Negative58.6%

Paddle Check

Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

SPF

Reported bugs

1 issue
  • Compatibility issues with older devices

Requested features

2 requests
  • Advanced tanning analytics
  • Customizable tanning plans

Paddle Check

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

7 purchases

SPF

Subscriptions7
  • SPF: Weekly Offer Plan$0.997 Days
  • Weekly Offer Plan$2.997 Days
  • Weekly Plan$3.997 Days
Show 4 more
  • Weekly Plan3 Days trial$5.997 Days
  • weekly5.99$5.997 Days
  • SPF: Yearly Offer Plan$29.991 Year
  • SPF: Yearly Offer Plan3 Days trial$47.001 Year
None

Paddle Check

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SPF free?
SPF is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Paddle Check free?
Paddle Check costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do SPF or Paddle Check have ads?
Neither SPF nor Paddle Check shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SPF or Paddle Check?
SPF ships an update weekly, and Paddle Check every 3 months. Most recently, SPF was updated on November 8, 2026 and Paddle Check on November 5, 2026.

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