Comparison

Surflens vs Downwind Runs

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

Head to head
About

Surflens

This app uses AI to automatically record your surf rides when you place your iPhone on the beach. It processes and edits clips instantly, even offline, allowing you to review and improve your surfing.

Highlights
  • AI-powered automatic wave recording
  • Apple Watch camera control
  • Instant offline clip processing
  • Built-in surf video editor
  • Optimized camera and battery performance
  • Session review and progress tracking
Features
Read full description

Catch your wave. Surflens catches you. Surflens turns your iPhone on the beach into an AI-powered surf camera — helping you capture, review, and improve your surfing with ease. No filmer. No extra gear. Just your phone and the ocean. Plan your sessions around the surf forecast — and capture every wave when it matters most. Features: AI Surf Camera Place your iPhone on the beach (tripod or stable surface), and Surflens will automatically detect and record surfers riding waves — including you. Your camera acts as a smart wave tracker, capturing every ride in its view. Control from your wrist Use your Apple Watch as a surf watch to control the camera and see exactly where the lens is pointing — so you stay in frame during your surf session. Instant clip processing — even offline Your surf videos are processed instantly — enhanced, cropped, and ready to share. No internet required. Built-in surf video editor turns raw surf footage into clean clips. Optimized for performance Surflens automatically adapts camera settings and battery usage so you can capture more waves without interruption. Review and improve Watch your sessions, review your rides, and track your progress over time. Built for surfers No action camera. No drone. No complicated setup. Just your phone on the beach — and your waves, captured. Surflens is designed to make surf filming simple, accessible, and part of every session. Because every surfer deserves to see their ride. Our Terms of Use: https://surflens.ai/terms

About

Downwind Runs

Features
Read full description

Find your next downwind window. Downwind Runs brings route maps, wind and wave forecasts, activity tracking and local knowledge together for downwind foilers and paddlers. Explore runs by country and region, compare the seven-day outlook, and view hourly wind and marine conditions. Save your favourites, record your activity, replay your track, and choose what you share with the community. Help improve local routes by suggesting course, wind and access details. Coordinate plans with other riders and compare gated times on supported courses. Forecasts and community route information are just planning aids. Check local conditions, access and hazards before heading out.

Screenshots

Surflens4 screens
Downwind Runs4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Downwind Runs at none against Surflens's 2. Downwind Runs also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (daily vs fortnightly). On price 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. Surflens sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month. Downwind Runs asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Surflens ships an update fortnightly, Downwind Runs daily. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Surflens versus Downwind Runs: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSurflensDownwind Runs
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (20 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews87.5% of reviews—
Number of ratings20 — better—
Update frequencyFortnightlyDaily — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationAd-supported—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS26.115.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size132 MB13 MB
Age rating17+12+
DeveloperWorkstories, Inc.Sam Johnston

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Surflens

Subscriptions2
  • Surflens Plus (Monthly)$7.991 Month
  • Surflens Plus (Yearly)7 Days trial$49.991 Year
None

Downwind Runs

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Surflens free?
Surflens is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Downwind Runs free?
Downwind Runs is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Surflens or Downwind Runs have ads?
Surflens shows ads; Downwind Runs does not.
Which is updated more often, Surflens or Downwind Runs?
Surflens ships an update fortnightly, and Downwind Runs daily. Most recently, Surflens was updated on October 12, 2026 and Downwind Runs on October 5, 2026.

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