Comparison

Swell Scope vs CoreSurfer Surf Reports

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

CoreSurfer Surf Reports

Features
Read full description

CoreSurfer brings live surf forecasting, spot discovery, maps, favorites, and trip planning into a native iPhone experience. Check current surf conditions at a glance with wave height, Core Score, wind, swell, tides, sunrise, sunset, air temperature, water temperature, and confidence. Open the full forecast for detailed 36-hour graphs and a 10-day outlook designed for quick surf decisions. Explore surf spots by region, browse an interactive map, save favorites to your CoreSurfer account, and keep a local surf trip journal for upcoming or past travel. CoreSurfer is built as the mobile companion to CoreSurfer.com, using live forecast data from the production CoreSurfer forecast engine. Features: • Live surf reports and forecasts • Core Score surf quality rating • Wave, wind, swell, tide, and temperature details • 36-hour forecast graphs • 10-day surf outlook • Interactive surf map • Spot search and regional browsing • Favorite spots with account sync • Local surf trip planning journal • Native iPhone interface built for fast checks Whether you are checking your local break before dawn or planning your next surf trip, CoreSurfer helps you find the best window to paddle out.

Screenshots

Swell Scope4 screens
CoreSurfer Surf Reports4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: CoreSurfer Surf Reports at none against Swell Scope's 3. On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. CoreSurfer Surf Reports asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Swell Scope versus CoreSurfer Surf Reports: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSwell ScopeCoreSurfer Surf Reports
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (55 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews92.9% of reviews—
Number of ratings55 — better—
Update frequencyMonthly—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS16.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size113 MB6 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFlockatoo Tech Pty LtdSouthRock Technologies, LLC

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
None

CoreSurfer Surf Reports

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Swell Scope free?
Swell Scope is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is CoreSurfer Surf Reports free?
CoreSurfer Surf Reports is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Swell Scope or CoreSurfer Surf Reports have ads?
Neither Swell Scope nor CoreSurfer Surf Reports shows ads.

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