Comparison

SurfWaves vs Buio App

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

Head to head
About

SurfWaves

This app uses AI to predict optimal surfing conditions, recommending the best beaches and times to surf. It offers real-time visual analysis of beach cameras for wave quality, crowd, wind, and tide, with customizable regional settings and multilingual support.

Highlights
  • AI-powered surf condition forecasting
  • Smart beach and time recommendations
  • Live image analysis of beach cameras
  • Wave quality, crowd, wind, and tide interpretation
  • Customizable regional settings and units
  • Multilingual support
  • Home screen widgets and Apple CarPlay integration
Features
Read full description

SurfWaves is an essential mobile app for surfers of all levels, using Artificial Intelligence to forecast the best surf conditions. Instead of just showing raw data, the app delivers smart recommendations, pointing you to the ideal beach and the best time to hit the water. Now SurfWaves speaks your language and matches your home: choose your country on first launch and the app opens in your language, with a color palette inspired by your region and the units you use every day — height in meters or feet, temperature in °C or °F, and wind in knots. Beach search is more relevant too, filtered by your country. SurfWaves goes beyond the traditional forecast: it features a live image analysis system that automatically interprets real-time beach cameras to visually identify wave quality, crowd, wind, and tide — giving you an instant, reliable read on sea conditions. Reading the forecast is clearer than ever: consistent wave colors across all beaches so you can compare spots at a glance, immediate offshore/onshore wind indication, and AI analysis always front and center, so you can quickly decide whether it's worth paddling out. In favorites, a background map shows exactly the beach you're tracking. With quick access to your favorite spots' conditions through Home Screen widgets, and the convenience of safely checking the forecast via Apple CarPlay on your way to the beach, SurfWaves is the most complete and integrated tool so you never miss a good surf session again. The app also offers multilingual support and is available in: Português (PT) English (EN) Español (ES) 日本語 (JA) Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Buio App

This app provides personalized surf forecasts by learning from your past sessions. It helps you find ideal wave conditions based on your preferences and past experiences. Track and rate your surf sessions to build a personal surf journal.

Highlights
  • Personalized surf forecasting
  • Session tracking and rating
  • Surf journal creation
  • Learns user preferences
  • Suggests optimal surf spots
Features
Read full description

Buio brings personalized surf​ forecasting to your​ phone. Remember that ​fantastic session last March at your favorite spot? ​Never again did it feel this good? Out of all your sessions, Buio will be able to tell you exactly when wave size, swell direction, wind and tides are the same again, and you might be one of the only ones out, just because that online forecast didn't look that good that day.... Rate and track your sessions and grow your ​personal ​surf ​journal. Sessions keep track of the current wave data, local tide and wind. Buio​ saves your sessions on your phone, learns ​from your ratings ​and suggests a good spot for your next session based on your individual likes and preferences.

Screenshots

SurfWaves4 screens
Buio App4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Buio App at none against SurfWaves's 3. SurfWaves's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, 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. SurfWaves sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Buio App asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
SurfWaves versus Buio App: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSurfWavesBuio App
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews75.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequencyWeekly—
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesAd-supported — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS15.115.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size80 MB53 MB
Age rating+49+
DeveloperDereck Vicentin LemeThomas Hrabe

Customer experience

SurfWaves

Written reviews4 reviews
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%

Buio App

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

SurfWaves

Subscriptions3
  • mensal R$9.907 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • Trimestral R$29.907 Days trial$24.993 Months
  • Anual R$129.907 Days trial$99.991 Year
None

Buio App

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SurfWaves free?
SurfWaves is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Buio App free?
Buio App is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do SurfWaves or Buio App have ads?
Buio App shows ads; SurfWaves does not.

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