Seagull Coast vs RipCurrent
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Seagull Coast
Provides real-time environmental conditions, hazard information, and coastal safety guidance. It transforms complex data into actionable insights for understanding local conditions before heading to the water.
- Real-time weather and water conditions
- Location-specific safety insights
- Swim and recreation conditions assessment
- Coastal hazard alerts
- Favorite locations
- Environmental observations and forecasts
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Know before you go. Seagull Coast helps you make informed decisions by bringing together real-time environmental conditions, hazard information, and coastal safety guidance in one place. Key Features • Real-time weather and water conditions • Location-specific safety insights • Swim and recreation conditions assessment • Coastal hazard alerts and notifications • Favorite locations for quick access • Trusted environmental observations and forecasts Why It Matters Conditions on lakes and coastlines can change rapidly. Seagull Coast transforms complex environmental data into clear, actionable information so you can better understand local conditions before heading to the water. Who It's For • Beachgoers • Swimmers • Paddlers • Boaters • Anglers • Waterfront communities Powered By Seagull Coast is powered by trusted environmental observations, forecasts, and coastal intelligence developed through the Great Lakes observing network (GLOS).
RipCurrent
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Know before you go in. RipCurrent shows the official rip current risk for any US beach — plus the actual warning flags lifeguards are flying at 50+ beaches — in one clean, fast app. RIP CURRENT RISK, STRAIGHT FROM THE NWS • Today's official LOW / MODERATE / HIGH rip current risk for any US beach • A multi-day outlook so you can plan the whole trip • Live Rip Current Statements and Beach Hazards Statements as they're issued REAL BEACH FLAGS • The actual flag flying right now — green, yellow, red, double red, purple — at 50+ beaches that publish it (the Florida Panhandle, Gulf Coast, Miami Beach, Galveston, and more) • Reported by the lifeguard agencies themselves, with the report time ALERTS FOR YOUR BEACH • Watch a beach and get a notification when the NWS issues a Rip Current Statement or Beach Hazards Statement for it MADE FOR BEACH DAYS • A US map with every saved beach color-coded by today's risk • Add any beach by name — comes with favorites from Miami to Waikiki • Learn what the risk levels mean and what to do if you're ever caught in a rip Rip currents are the #1 killer at US surf beaches — about 100 people drown in them every year, and most victims never saw a warning. RipCurrent puts the official forecast and the real flags in your pocket. Data sources: rip current risk, outlooks, and alerts come from the NOAA / National Weather Service Surf Zone Forecasts and alert feeds, available at https://www.weather.gov — beach flag statuses come from the local lifeguard agencies that publish them (South Walton Fire District, Escambia County Public Safety, PCB Beach & Surf Patrol, Galveston Island Beach Patrol, Mote Marine's Beach Conditions Reporting System, and more). RipCurrent is an independent app. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or representative of NOAA, the National Weather Service, any government agency, or any lifeguard organization. Awareness only — not for emergency decisions. Conditions vary along a beach and change quickly. Always heed lifeguards and posted flags.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ads: Seagull Coast at none against RipCurrent's shown. On price, update cadence, 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Seagull Coast ships an update fortnightly, RipCurrent every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on November 5, 2026.
| Parameter | Seagull Coast | RipCurrent |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (429 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 83.3% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 429 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly — better | Every 2 weeks |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 88 MB | 6 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Great Lakes Observing System | Qvyshift LLC |
In-app purchases
Seagull Coast
No in-app purchases
RipCurrent
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Seagull Coast free?
Is RipCurrent free?
Do Seagull Coast or RipCurrent have ads?
Which is updated more often, Seagull Coast or RipCurrent?
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