Comparison

Strait vs Surf

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

Head to head
About

Strait

Inspect your browser tab's network path with this privacy-focused tool. It reveals exit IP details, iCloud Private Relay status, DNS comparisons, and WebRTC leak checks. Generate shareable reports for debugging and verification.

Highlights
  • Tab exit IP details (IPv4/IPv6, ASN, owner, location)
  • Native/system exit IP comparison
  • iCloud Private Relay status
  • VPN-like interface and system proxy state
  • TLS snapshot
  • DNS comparison (system vs. DoH)
  • WebRTC leak check
  • One-tap copyable report
Features
Read full description

Strait is a privacy-first network path inspector for your active browser tab. WHAT YOU SEE - Tab exit IP — IPv4 and IPv6, with ASN, owner, and coarse location - Native/system exit IP — for side-by-side comparison - iCloud Private Relay verdict — active, shadowed by VPN, or not observed, classified against Apple's published egress IP ranges - VPN-like interface and system proxy state — based on the default route, not just utun presence - TLS snapshot — version, ALPN, certificate leaf, issuer, and expiry from a native probe (clearly labeled as Strait's probe, not the browser's reused connection) - DNS comparison — system resolver vs. DNS-over-HTTPS - WebRTC leak check — surfaces public srflx candidates that bypass the tab's exit ONE-TAP COPYABLE REPORT Every check produces a clean text report you can paste into a bug ticket, a forum post, or a chat with your network admin. The copy report is the power-user source of truth. HONEST UNCERTAINTY Strait labels every value with its source and confidence. When timing data is hidden, when a probe is from the companion instead of the tab connection, or when a result is inferred — the UI says so. PRIVACY BY CONSTRUCTION - No analytics, no telemetry, no remote logging - No account, no sign-in - No browsing history or per-host log leaves the device - External calls are limited to documented probe endpoints and only run when you check a tab - Strait does not route your traffic — it is not a VPN WHO IT'S FOR - iCloud+ subscribers who want a readable answer to "is Private Relay doing anything here?" - Privacy-sensitive users who run VPNs and want to verify them - Web, SRE, and security debugging users who need a compact browser-side network report WHAT STRAIT IS NOT Not a VPN. Not a packet sniffer. Not a passive collector of browsing history. Not a replacement for Web Inspector. Strait is a focused, on-demand path inspector. TO ENABLE Strait ships as a Safari Web Extension. After installing, open Settings > Apps > Safari > Extensions and turn on Strait. Then tap the Strait icon in the browser toolbar on any page.

About

Surf

Features
Read full description

Browse privately. Keep useful articles. Give your files a proper home. Surf combines a native iPhone and iPad browser with Reader, a file library and optional iCloud continuity. Start browsing for free, with no Surf account required. A BROWSER THAT FITS YOUR DAY • Multiple tabs and private browsing • Webpage ad and tracker blocking, with per-site exceptions • Bookmarks, folders and history search • Adjustable text size and desktop page layout • Find on page and familiar iPad keyboard shortcuts • Clear Browsing Data with confirmation before it removes history, cookies and cache READ NOW, KEEP FOR LATER Reader turns an article into a calmer page with adjustable type and light, sepia or dark appearance. Save an article from Reader to keep an offline archive, then open it from Reading List when you have no connection. Entries saved only as links still need the web. A FILE LIBRARY BUILT IN • Create folders, add colour tags and find files with search • Import, rename, move and share ordinary documents • Create and open ZIP archives • Preview supported files and export through Apple's Files app • Keep private files behind device authentication • Recover removed files from Recently Deleted • Use iCloud file-library storage on every plan when iCloud is available YOUR SIGN-INS, READY WHEN NEEDED Surf can remember a website username and password with your permission, then offer to fill it on a later visit. Manage saved entries in Settings. Storage is in the device keychain, with optional iCloud Keychain sync. SURF PRO, ACROSS YOUR APPLE DEVICES One subscription covers iPhone, iPad and Mac. Choose Monthly or Yearly for: • Bookmarks, history and Reading List kept in step through your own iCloud • Access to tabs open on your other devices • Unlimited saved articles and remembered sign-ins • More file-saving capacity and several files at once • Site settings that stay remembered The free plan remains a complete browser. Your membership page shows your current plan, price and renewal or expiry information when available. Restore Purchases and Manage Subscription are easy to reach. PRIVACY WITH CLEAR BOUNDARIES Surf includes no advertising or analytics SDK. Websites and the search engine you choose receive the requests needed to browse. Optional sync uses your own iCloud. Private tabs, cookies and form contents do not participate in browser-data sync. Payment is charged to your Apple Account at confirmation. Subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the current period ends. Manage or cancel in your Apple Account settings. Introductory offers are subject to eligibility. Privacy Policy: https://mwsupplylimited.github.io/surf/privacy.html Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Strait3 screens
Surf4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Strait at none against Surf's 2. Strait also leads on update cadence (every 2 days vs every 4 days). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. Surf sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Strait asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Strait ships an update every 2 days, Surf every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 2, 2026 and October 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 7 level
Strait versus Surf: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStraitSurf
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 days — betterEvery 4 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, Mac — better
Requires iOS17.017.0
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB6 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperJiawei YeMatthew Wong

In-app purchases

None

Strait

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Surf

Subscriptions2
  • Surf Pro (Monthly)$4.991 Month
  • Surf Pro (Yearly)$29.991 Year

Questions

Is Strait free?
Strait is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Surf free?
Surf is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Strait or Surf have ads?
Neither Strait nor Surf shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Strait or Surf?
Strait ships an update every 2 days, and Surf every 4 days. Most recently, Strait was updated on October 2, 2026 and Surf on October 3, 2026.

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