# Session vs Surf Reader

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Surf Reader at none against Session's 2. Surf Reader also leads on iOS requirement (16.0 vs 18.2). Session's advantage is update cadence (every 5 days vs every 2 weeks). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Session sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Surf Reader asks for nothing beyond the download.

Session ships an update every 5 days, Surf Reader every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Session | Surf Reader |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[5.0 (7 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/session-surf-log-and-forecast/id6759348837/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **7** | — |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 5 days** | Every 2 weeks |
| Monetization | Subscription | — |
| Size | 41 MB | 85 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.2 | **16.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Hoelleyday Consulting LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1878221363) | [Ashley Martin Dunn](https://appshunter.io/developer/6790261909) |

## What reviewers say

### Session

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/session-surf-log-and-forecast/id6759348837)

Log your surf sessions to understand what conditions, spots, and gear lead to your best experiences. It automatically tracks weather and tide data, helping you discover personalized ideal conditions and optimize your quiver. Build streaks and gain insights into your surfing habits.

**Highlights:** Personalized target condition forecasting, Automatic condition data logging, Surfboard and gear tracking, Session logging with ratings, Streak tracking and performance insights, Crew tagging and session sharing

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Session Pro Monthly | $3.99 | per month |
| Session Pro Annual | $14.99 | per year |


### Surf Reader

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/surf-reader/id6790261907)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Session free?

Session is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Surf Reader free?

Surf Reader is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do Session or Surf Reader have ads?

Neither Session nor Surf Reader shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Session or Surf Reader?

Session ships an update every 5 days, and Surf Reader every 2 weeks. Most recently, Session was updated on October 6, 2026 and Surf Reader on October 16, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*