Surf Forecast vs SurfMatch
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Surf Forecast
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Know if the surf is worth it before you grab your board. Curlio is a premium surf forecast app built for surfers who want a faster, clearer call: go now, wait for the best window, or skip the drive. Check wave forecasts, surf reports, swell, wind, tide, and surf conditions in one clean dashboard designed for everyday sessions and surf trips. Whether you are planning a dawn patrol, checking your local break, or looking for better waves nearby, Curlio helps you understand the ocean without decoding complicated charts. With Curlio, you can: • Check a clear Surf Score for your favorite spots • Find the best surf window based on swell, wind, and tide • View wave forecasts and surf conditions at a glance • Track local surf spots, trip spots, and the breaks you care about • Save favorites and private spots • Get smart surf alerts when conditions line up • Review swell, wind, and tide charts • Use widgets to check the forecast faster • Read simple surf briefings before your next session Curlio is made for: • Local surfers checking daily conditions • Surf travelers planning sessions in new places • Beginners who want a simpler surf report • Intermediate surfers comparing spots and timing • Anyone who wants a clean, fast wave forecast without noise Plan better sessions: • Surf Forecast: See what is happening now and what is building next. • Best Surf Window: Know when swell, wind, and tide are most likely to line up. • Surf Alerts: Get notified when your selected spot starts looking good. • Wave Conditions: Check swell height, period, wind, tide, and overall surf quality. • Spot Tracking: Follow the beaches, reefs, points, and private breaks you care about. • Surf Briefs: Get a plain-English read on the session so you can decide faster. • Widgets: Keep your surf forecast close without opening the app every time. Curlio turns marine weather data into a simple surfing decision. Instead of switching between tide charts, wind forecasts, swell models, and surf reports, you get one focused view built around the question that matters: Is it worth paddling out? Use Curlio to plan your next session, catch cleaner windows, and spend less time guessing. Optional Subscription, please read before subscribing: • You can subscribe to access premium features included in your selected Curlio plan. • Your subscription automatically renews unless auto-renewal is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. • Payment will be charged to your Apple ID account at confirmation of purchase. • Your account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours before the end of the current period at the price shown for your selected plan. • You can manage your subscription and turn off auto-renewal in your App Store account settings after purchase. • If you cancel auto-renewal, you will keep access until the end of the current paid period. • Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when you purchase a subscription. Terms of Use: https://curlio.app/terms.html Privacy Policy: https://curlio.app/privacy.html EULA: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Still have questions? Email us at hello@curlio.app and we will be happy to respond.
SurfMatch
This app provides advanced surf forecasting by combining premium weather data, wave modeling, and community input. It offers a clean interface with essential surf conditions, helping users find better waves and avoid disappointing sessions.
- AI-driven surf forecasting
- 325+ curated surf breaks
- SurfMatch Score (0-5 rating)
- Dynamic strike zones
- Live telemetry and buoy data
- 3-day hyper-local forecasts
- Interactive map cues
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A note from Cory, founder & surfer: Most surf apps are cluttered with confusing graphs and aggressive ads. SurfMatch is built by surfers who wanted a better way. We combine marine data, advanced wave modeling, and community feedback to help you score more waves and suffer fewer skunkings. 325+ Curated Breaks (And Growing) We track over 300 curated surf spots around the world, and we keep adding more. If you download the app and don't see your local break on the map yet, let us know! Use the "Request a Spot" feature in the app or reach out directly to info@surfmatchapp.com, and we'll add it to the top of our development queue. Stop checking five different apps to figure out where to paddle out. Surf Face Estimate: We translate deepwater buoy data into an estimated rideable wave height based on local bathymetry. SurfMatch Score: A 1-5 rating tailored to the unique mechanics of each spot. Dynamic Strike Zones (Pro): Interactive tidal curves that track against a break's bathymetry and lock into the optimal window. Live Buoy Data (Pro): Real-time wave readings and size boosts from offshore stations where available. What You Get For Free: The SurfMatch Score: Stop doing mental math with wind angles and swell periods. Our algorithm synthesizes the data to rate every hour. Free SurfMatch Intelligence: Test-drive our digital coach with a free, hyper-local analysis. Tap the Intelligence icon to get a detailed breakdown of your break's bathymetry and swell metrics before you paddle out. No subscription required. 3-Day Forecasts: Get hyper-local windows for your nearest breaks. Interactive Map Cues: Read the lineup with intuitive map arrows (Blue for Swell, Pink for Wind) aligned to oceanographic flow standards. Simple, Clean Interface: Get the essential data (Est. Surf Face, wave energy, wind direction, and tide tracking) in a premium interface designed for actual surfers, not meteorologists. Save Your Spots: Save up to 3 of your go-to breaks and sync conditions across devices. Unlock SurfMatch Pro Try Pro free, then continue with a monthly or annual plan. Pricing is shown in the app before you subscribe. Cancel anytime. Upgrade to unlock the full forecasting toolkit: Live Ocean Radar & High-Resolution Marine Data: Stop relying exclusively on generic weather models. Access high-resolution marine data and track incoming storm cells and swell energy with our interactive radar. Live Buoy Data & Boosts: See what is happening in the water right now with dedicated tracking cards and real-time size and period boosts where buoy data is available. Pro SurfMatch Intelligence: Your personal digital surf coach and travel agent. Ask for quiver matches and lineup tactics, or plan strike missions with live flight prices and wave dossiers sent directly to your inbox. Dynamic Strike Zones: Never miss the window. Our tidal curve tracks against a break's unique bathymetry. When the tide hits the optimal window, it locks into the Strike Zone. Local Creator Profiles: Want your session captured? Spot forecasts feature local surf photographers and videographers. Check out their portfolios and connect directly to book a shoot. 14-Day Outlook: Plan your sessions, road trips, and strike missions up to two weeks in advance. Unlimited Favorites: Save your entire local hit-list in a day-by-day matrix sorted by live conditions. Download SurfMatch today and know before you go. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.surfmatchapp.com/legal-pages/terms-conditions Privacy Policy: https://www.surfmatchapp.com/legal-pages/privacy-policy
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: SurfMatch at every 5 days against Surf Forecast's every 3 months. SurfMatch also leads on iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.6). On price, ads, 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
Both are free to download. Surf Forecast sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per 7 days and SurfMatch sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Surf Forecast ships an update every 3 months, SurfMatch every 5 days. Both last shipped on November 5, 2026.
| Parameter | Surf Forecast | SurfMatch |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | — | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | — | 1 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Every 5 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | — | Freemium |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 86 MB | 35 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Leveling LP | Cory King |
In-app purchases
Surf Forecast
- Curlio Pro - 1 Week$5.997 Days
- Curlio Pro PROMO$19.991 Year
- Curlio Pro - 1 Year$39.991 Year
- Curlio Pro - Forever$99.00
SurfMatch
- SurfMatch Pro Monthly Subscription7 Days trial$4.991 Month
- SurfMatch Pro Annual Subscription7 Days trial$44.991 Year









