Comparison

Seagull Coast vs RipCurrent

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • Real-time weather and water conditions
  • Location-specific safety insights
  • Swim and recreation conditions assessment
  • Coastal hazard alerts
  • Favorite locations
  • Environmental observations and forecasts
Read full description

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).

About

RipCurrent

Features
Read full description

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

Seagull Coast4 screens
RipCurrent4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Seagull Coast ships an update fortnightly, RipCurrent every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on November 5, 2026.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Seagull Coast versus RipCurrent: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSeagull CoastRipCurrent
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (429 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews83.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings429 — better—
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 2 weeks
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.1 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size88 MB6 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGreat Lakes Observing SystemQvyshift LLC

In-app purchases

None

Seagull Coast

No in-app purchases

None

RipCurrent

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Seagull Coast free?
Seagull Coast is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is RipCurrent free?
RipCurrent is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Seagull Coast or RipCurrent have ads?
RipCurrent shows ads; Seagull Coast does not.
Which is updated more often, Seagull Coast or RipCurrent?
Seagull Coast ships an update fortnightly, and RipCurrent every 2 weeks. Most recently, Seagull Coast was updated on November 5, 2026 and RipCurrent on November 5, 2026.

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