Comparison

Swell Scope vs Swell Intel

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

Head to head
About

Swell Scope

This app allows users to create custom surf spots globally by dropping pins and provides detailed forecast data from premier weather models. It features a surf journal with auto-import and trend charts to help users make informed decisions about their sessions.

Highlights
  • Custom surf spot creation worldwide
  • 14-day detailed weather forecast
  • Surf journal with auto-import
  • Similar session comparison
  • Trend charts for forecast data
  • Real-time data updates
Features
Read full description

Raw forecasts at your own custom spots. Originally crowdfunded by surfers worldwide. Over 2 million forecasts served already! Swell Scope - the surf forecast app with no surf spots. Instead, you add your own custom surf breaks by dropping a pin anywhere in the world. Use first-of-their kind tools to setup the exposure of your spot in just a few seconds. Then jump into beautiful charts, animations, and visuals that show you the raw forecast data from the world’s premier weather models. After your session, auto-import the conditions into your journal and add your own detailed ratings for things like breaking-wave shape and surface cleanliness. Next time the conditions are similar, you’ll see your own ratings alongside the raw forecast data. Everything is designed so that you can make the call yourself, instead of relying on mysterious predictions and algorithms. My hope is to bring back the joy & excitement of learning your local, making the call, and chasing those special sessions. Over 5,000 people helped beta test Swell Scope throughout 2025! Here are some of the favourite features they helped us develop: 14-Day Forecast - Raw forecast data from the premier weather agencies. Primary, Secondary, and Wind Swells. Height, period, & direction. Wind strength & direction. Tides. Sunrise & Sunset times. Water Temp. Weather including rain & cloud cover. Custom Surf Spots - Worldwide - Drop a pin anywhere in the world to see the forecast there. Use first-of-their kind tools to setup the exposure & inform the app of onshore/offshore directions. Surf Journal with Auto-Import - Add your sessions to your journal and all the conditions are automatically imported. Fill out detailed ratings bout breaking wave shape, wind quality, and more Similar Sessions - Next time the conditions are similar, see your past ratings alongside the forecast. Use the comparison screen to see for yourself how similar the sessions are and make the call Trend Charts - See three full days of charted data for every detail in forecast on a single screen. Spotting trends is easy when you can see so much in one view Fresh Data - See which weather agencies & models are being used for every detail in the forecast. Data is updated in the app as soon as it's published by the sources. Most models update every 6-hours, with some being as frequent as hourly! Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://www.swell-scope.com/privacy-policy

About

Swell Intel

Get detailed surf forecasts, real-time conditions, and smart alerts to find the best waves. Plan your surf trips with up to 16 days of predictions and easily discover nearby surf spots.

Highlights
  • Detailed surf forecasts up to 16 days
  • Real-time wave height, swell, and wind data
  • Smart push notification alerts for ideal conditions
  • At-a-glance spot condition ratings
  • Find and save nearby surf spots
  • Detailed forecast charts including tides and sunrise/sunset
Features
Read full description

Swell Intel gives you everything you need to score the best waves — detailed surf forecasts, real-time conditions, and smart alerts that tell you when to go. Check the Conditions - Wave height, swell direction, wind speed, and surf quality ratings for every surf spot across the US and Puerto Rico. Forecasts extend up to 16 days so you can plan trips with confidence. At-a-Glance Conditions- Spot cards show morning, midday, and evening ratings at a glance — quickly scan which spots are firing and when the window is best without tapping into every forecast. Surf Alerts - Set a minimum condition rating on your favorite spots and get notified by push notification or email when conditions meet your standards. Never miss a good session again. Detailed Forecast Charts - Dive into swell period and direction, wind barbs, wave energy, tide charts, and sunrise/sunset — all the data you need in one place. Find Nearby Spots - Discover surf spots near your with real-time conditions and ratings. Save your favorites for quick access. Free to Use, More with Premium - Free: 5-day forecast, 5 nearby spots, 5 favorites, 1 alert - Premium Plus: 16-day forecast, 15 spots, 15 favorites, 10 alerts Terms of service - https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Swell Scope4 screens
Swell Intel4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Swell Intel at every 6 days against Swell Scope's monthly. Swell Scope's advantage is ratings volume (55 vs 12). On price, rating, review sentiment 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. Swell Scope sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and Swell Intel sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for Swell Scope against 5.0 for Swell Intel. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 55 and 12 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 93% of Swell Scope's written reviews are positive against 100% of Swell Intel's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Swell Scope ships an update monthly, Swell Intel every 6 days. Both last shipped on November 8, 2026.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Swell Scope versus Swell Intel: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSwell ScopeSwell Intel
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (55 ratings)5.0 (12 ratings) — better
Positive reviews92.9% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings55 — better12
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 6 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS16.015.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size113 MB51 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFlockatoo Tech Pty LtdSwell Intel LLC

Customer experience

Swell Scope

All ratings55 ratings
Positive98.2%
Neutral0.0%
Negative1.8%
Written reviews28 reviews
Positive92.9%
Neutral3.6%
Negative3.6%

Swell Intel

All ratings12 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Swell Scope

Subscriptions2
  • Unlimited Access14 Days trial$2.991 Month
  • Unlimited Access1 Month trial$24.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime Unlimited Access$49.99
2 purchases

Swell Intel

Subscriptions2
  • Swell Intel Premium Plus14 Days trial$2.991 Month
  • Premium Yearly14 Days trial$24.991 Year

Questions

Is Swell Scope free?
Swell Scope is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Swell Intel free?
Swell Intel is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Swell Scope or Swell Intel?
Swell Intel is rated higher. Swell Scope averages 4.9 out of 5 from 55 ratings, while Swell Intel averages 5.0 from 12 ratings.
Do Swell Scope or Swell Intel have ads?
Neither Swell Scope nor Swell Intel shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Swell Scope or Swell Intel?
Swell Scope ships an update monthly, and Swell Intel every 6 days. Most recently, Swell Scope was updated on November 8, 2026 and Swell Intel on November 8, 2026.

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