Comparison

SurfSignal vs North Forecasting

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

Head to head
About

SurfSignal

This app provides personalized daily alerts for optimal surfing, kiting, and windsurfing conditions based on your chosen spots and preferred wind, swell, and tide settings. It offers a clear timeline of all your spots and allows you to sync planned sessions directly to your calendar.

Highlights
  • Personalized spot selection
  • Customizable condition rules
  • Daily clear signal alerts
  • Multi-spot timeline view
  • Session planning and calendar sync
  • High-resolution forecast data
  • Live station wind checks
Read full description

SurfSignal sends one clear daily signal when your own spots and conditions line up. Choose any surf spot, set your ideal wind, swell and tide conditions, and let SurfSignal watch the forecast for you. Looking further ahead? The agenda puts all your spots on one timeline, day by day. Tap the windows you want to ride. Your session lands in your own calendar, with the spot, the times and the route. - No ads. - No login. - No noise. - Ready in two minutes. SurfSignal is built for surfers, kiters, windsurfers, foilers, sailors and anyone who depends on the right wind, tide or swell. Why SurfSignal? - Choose your own surf spots - Set your own wind, tide and swell rules - Get one clear daily signal - See all your spots on one timeline - Plan your sessions and sync them to your own calendar - See high-resolution forecasts - Check live station wind - View surf cams - Use clean hourly tables and graphs - Customize each spot your way SurfSignal is not another app to scroll through. It is a tool. Set your signal. Go when it's on. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

North Forecasting

Features
Read full description

North Forecasting is built for surfers who deal with the reality of the North Sea. Fast-changing conditions, strong winds, and narrow windows mean timing matters. The app gives you a clear 5-day forecast with swell percentages, wind, and weather data, plus wave and wind overlay maps that make it easier to see what’s actually happening out there. For the spots that its available we also included webcams! North Forecasting is uniquely made for the North Sea Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

SurfSignal4 screens
North Forecasting3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: SurfSignal at every 5 days against North Forecasting's every 3 weeks. On price, ads, in-app purchases 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. SurfSignal sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and North Forecasting sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SurfSignal ships an update every 5 days, North Forecasting every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 29, 2026 and September 18, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 7 level
SurfSignal versus North Forecasting: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSurfSignalNorth Forecasting
PriceFreeFree
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Update frequencyEvery 5 days — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.016.0
Further details — not scored
Size94 MB83 MB
Age rating+417+
DeveloperSebastiaan DalmeijerRemi Audrey D Vanderhaeghen

In-app purchases

3 purchases

SurfSignal

Subscriptions3
  • Super Monthly$1.991 Month
  • Super Yearly1 Month trial$17.991 Year
  • SurfSignal pro Yearly7 Days trial$17.991 Year
2 purchases

North Forecasting

Subscriptions2
  • NORTH PRO monthly3 Days trial$2.991 Month
  • NORTH PRO yearly3 Days trial$17.991 Year

Questions

Is SurfSignal free?
SurfSignal is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is North Forecasting free?
North Forecasting is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do SurfSignal or North Forecasting have ads?
Neither SurfSignal nor North Forecasting shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SurfSignal or North Forecasting?
SurfSignal ships an update every 5 days, and North Forecasting every 3 weeks. Most recently, SurfSignal was updated on September 29, 2026 and North Forecasting on September 18, 2026.

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