Comparison

Alplakes vs SwissWind

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

Head to head
About

Alplakes

Read full description

Alplakes, provided by the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag) in collaboration with leading research partners, gives you instant access to the latest information on lakes across the European Alpine region. Stay informed with real-time conditions, forecasts, and long-term trends, all based on reliable, research-driven data. LAKE FORECASTS Access up to five days of temperature and velocity forecasts from hundreds of calibrated 1D & 3D hydrodynamic models. MEASUREMENTS Near real-time data from numerous sources across Europe, including water temperature, lake levels, webcams, and scientific datasets. WATER QUALITY MAPS Spatial water quality products derived from Sentinel-2, Sentinel-3, and Landsat remote sensing data. TRENDS Track changes over years to understand ecological and climate impacts. PARAMETERS Explore lake and catchment characteristics, including physical, chemical, and environmental parameters. Whether you’re a scientist, outdoor enthusiast, or lake lover, Alplakes makes complex data easy to explore. Get trusted insights from research partners—anywhere, anytime.

About

SwissWind

Features
Read full description

Don't drive to the lake for nothing. SwissWind shows you where and when the wind is blowing, before you set off. Wind, forecasts and webcams for kitesurfing, windsurfing, wingfoiling and sailing: on lakes all over Switzerland and in northern Italy. What the app gives you: • Wind right now: strength, gusts and direction at the lake • Find the right moment: forecasts for the next few days, several forecasts side by side • The big picture: animated map with wind, rain and clouds • See it live: webcams at the lakes • Never miss a session: wind alert on your phone as soon as your wind arrives (Pro) • Stay warned: storm warnings as notifications • Know the conditions on site: water and air temperature For beginners and pros: Simple mode tells you at a glance whether it's on, with a wetsuit tip. Expert mode shows you every detail. Good to know at the spot: Spot info shows zones, restrictions and emergency numbers. Also: widget, knots, km/h or Beaufort, German, French and English. SwissWind is free. SwissWind Pro unlocks more forecasts and the wind alert. No sign-up needed (except for Pro). No tracking, no ad networks. Terms of use: https://swisswind.app/terms

Screenshots

Alplakes4 screens
SwissWind3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Alplakes at none against SwissWind's 3. Alplakes also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs weekly) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.4). On price, 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

Both are free to download. SwissWind sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Alplakes asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Alplakes ships an update every 4 days, SwissWind weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 3 level
Alplakes versus SwissWind: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAlplakesSwissWind
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 4 days — betterWeekly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch
Requires iOS13.0 — better16.4
Further details — not scored
Size7 MB44 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperJames RunnallsANDREAS SCHORI

In-app purchases

None

Alplakes

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

SwissWind

Subscriptions2
  • Seelandwind Pro (Monthly)$4.991 Month
  • Seelandwind Pro (Yearly)$34.991 Year
One-time1
  • Seelandwind Pro Lifetime$99.99

Questions

Is Alplakes free?
Alplakes is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is SwissWind free?
SwissWind is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Alplakes or SwissWind have ads?
Neither Alplakes nor SwissWind shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Alplakes or SwissWind?
Alplakes ships an update every 4 days, and SwissWind weekly. Most recently, Alplakes was updated on October 16, 2026 and SwissWind on October 28, 2026.

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