Comparison

SpotAlert vs WaveCheck

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

Head to head
About

SpotAlert

This app helps surfers optimize their time by providing custom surf alerts for their favorite spots. It monitors wave and weather forecasts, notifying users when conditions are ideal for surfing. Save time checking forecasts and spend more time in the water.

Highlights
  • Custom surf spot monitoring
  • Pre-populated popular spots
  • Personalized surf alerts
  • Push and email notifications
  • Advanced alert criteria
  • Alert dashboard
Features
Read full description

SpotAlert helps surfers spend less time checking forecasts and more time surfing. Save your favorite spots and set up alerts that notify you when conditions are worth your time. Whether you're planning a dawn patrol, watching for a swell next week, or tracking a secret local break, SpotAlert keeps an eye on the forecast so you don't have to. • Create and monitor custom surf spots anywhere on the planet • Hundreds of popular spots to get you started fast • Custom surf alerts • Push and email notifications • Advanced alert criteria • Alert dashboard with upcoming and active alerts • All powered by ECMWF's industry-leading 10-day wave and weather forecast models. (That's nerd speak for the best forecast data out there) Why SpotAlert? Most surfers check the forecast over and over, hoping something changes. SpotAlert flips that around. Tell us what you're looking for, and we'll let you know when it's time to paddle out. Perfect For: • Dawn patrol surfers • Weekend warriors • International strike missions • Surfers tracking multiple breaks • Anyone who's busy and forgets to check the forecast Stop checking. Start surfing. Go when it's good.

About

WaveCheck

This app analyzes surf forecasts to tell you the best times and places to surf based on your skill level and equipment. It offers detailed hourly conditions, smart alerts, session tracking, and a global map of surf spots.

Highlights
  • Personalized surf scores
  • 2,000+ surf spots worldwide
  • Detailed hourly forecasts
  • Smart push notifications
  • Session logging and history
  • Leaderboard and rankings
  • Google Calendar sync
Features
Read full description

WaveCheck scores every surf forecast for you — so you know exactly where and when to paddle out. PERSONALIZED SURF SCORES Every forecast is scored for your skill level and board — or set your own custom preferences. 2,000+ SPOTS ACROSS THE WORLD Browse on an interactive map or view each spot's satellite imagery to visualize the conditions DETAILED FORECASTS Hour-by-hour breakdown: wave height, swell direction and period, wind speed and direction, tide charts, water temperature, and more. DAILY DIGEST Get your daily spots to go surf to, with 5 days out shown with a Pro subscription SMART ALERTS Get a push notification the evening before when tomorrow looks good at your favorite spots. Set your minimum score threshold so you only get pinged when it's worth it. SPOT PREFERENCES Set custom preferences for individual spots — because your ideal conditions at a beach break aren't the same as a reef. Override your global settings per spot. SESSION TRACKING Log every surf with conditions, personal ratings, and notes. Build your surf journal and see your history at every spot. Forecast conditions are saved automatically so you can look back and learn what works for you. CLIMB THE RANKS Log sessions to climb the leaderboard. See how you stack up against other surfers at your spot, your area, and your country. MAP DISCOVERY Explore new breaks near you or anywhere. Color-coded clusters show you where conditions are firing right now. Zoom in to find hidden gems. GOOGLE CALENDAR SYNC Sync planned sessions to your calendar so you never double-book a good swell. Questions or feedback? support@wavecheck.surf Instagram: @wavecheck.app WaveCheck Pro Subscription WaveCheck Pro unlocks unlimited favorite spots, unlimited spot preferences, and supports an indie developer. 20% of all subscription revenue is donated to ocean conservation. Pricing: - Monthly: $4.99/month - Annual: $49.99/year (save 17%) Payment will be charged to your Apple ID account at confirmation of purchase. Subscriptions automatically renew unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Your account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. You can manage and cancel your subscriptions by going to your account settings on the App Store after purchase. Terms of Use: https://wavecheck.surf/terms Privacy Policy: https://wavecheck.surf/privacy

Screenshots

SpotAlert4 screens
WaveCheck4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: SpotAlert at none against WaveCheck's 2. WaveCheck's advantage is device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 26.0). On price, update cadence and ads 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. WaveCheck sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. SpotAlert asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
SpotAlert versus WaveCheck: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSpotAlertWaveCheck
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 4 daysEvery 4 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationAd-supported — betterFreemium
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS26.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size13 MB95 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDavid LevinAustin Urraca

Customer experience

SpotAlert

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

WaveCheck

Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

SpotAlert

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

WaveCheck

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly$4.991 Month
  • Yearly$49.991 Year

Questions

Is SpotAlert free?
SpotAlert is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is WaveCheck free?
WaveCheck is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do SpotAlert or WaveCheck have ads?
Neither SpotAlert nor WaveCheck shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SpotAlert or WaveCheck?
SpotAlert ships an update every 4 days, and WaveCheck every 4 days. Most recently, SpotAlert was updated on October 8, 2026 and WaveCheck on October 12, 2026.

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