Comparison

Single Tab vs Surf

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

Head to head
About

Single Tab

This private browser automatically deletes your browsing history, cookies, and cache when you close the app. It offers a distraction-free, single-tab experience with enhanced privacy features and an optional subscription for location hiding.

Highlights
  • Auto-wipe on exit
  • No history saved
  • Incognito by default
  • Single tab focus
  • Anti-tracking
  • Location hiding (Pro)
  • Built-in speed test
Features
Read full description

Single Tab Browser is a private, incognito browser that wipes your entire session the moment you leave—no history, no cookies, no cache, no tracking. Open one focused tab, browse anonymously, and everything is auto-deleted when you close or switch away. No signup, no account, and free to browse. Looking for a privacy browser that forgets everything? Single Tab Browser is built for ephemeral, distraction-free browsing: a single tab, private by default, with third-party cookies blocked and your whole session erased on exit. Perfect as an incognito browser, anonymous browser, no-history browser, or temporary throwaway browser when you don't want anything saved on your device. WHY SINGLE TAB BROWSER? • Auto-wipe on exit — history, cookies, and cache cleared the instant you leave • No history — nothing is saved between sessions • No cookies, no cache — every visit starts on a clean slate • Incognito by default — a private browsing session every time • One tab — a single, distraction-free page for total focus • Anti-tracking — third-party cookies blocked automatically • Anonymous browsing — no profile, no account, no sync • Choose your search engine — DuckDuckGo, Startpage, Google, or Bing • Hide your location — pick a city; sites see it, not your real location (Single Tab Pro) • Built-in speed test — check latency, download, and upload speeds • Light, dark, and system themes • Fast, lightweight, and private by design USE SINGLE TAB BROWSER FOR: • Private searches you don't want saved in history • Quick, focused reading without tabs piling up • Checking links safely without leaving a trail • Logging into a site without mixing cookies or sessions • Shared or borrowed devices where nothing should be stored • Sensitive research, shopping, or travel lookups • Checking region-specific pages, prices, or content privately • A clean, anonymous session every single time FREE TO BROWSE — SINGLE TAB PRO Browsing privately is free: private incognito single-tab browsing, auto-wipe on exit, improved tracker and ad blocking, your choice of search engine, light/dark/system themes, and the built-in speed test—no ads, no account needed. Single Tab Pro is an optional auto-renewing subscription (weekly, monthly, or yearly) that unlocks location hiding: pick a city so sites see that location instead of your real one, routed through a private proxy—great for privately checking region-specific pages, prices, and content. An active Single Tab Pro subscription is required to use location hiding (the private proxy); it stops working if your subscription ends. App settings (theme, search engine, and chosen location) are stored on your device; your browsing session is always cleared when you leave. Single Tab Pro is an auto-renewing subscription (weekly, monthly, or yearly). Payment is charged to your store account; it renews automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the period. Manage or cancel anytime in your account settings. Prices are shown in the app. Download Single Tab Browser today—the fast, private, no-history way to browse in a single incognito tab that erases itself the moment you leave. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

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

Single Tab4 screens
Surf4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Single Tab at none against Surf's 2. Surf's advantage is update cadence (every 4 days vs monthly). 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. Single Tab asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Single Tab ships an update monthly, Surf every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 7 level
Single Tab versus Surf: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSingle TabSurf
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.3 (4 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings4 — better—
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, Mac — better
Requires iOS17.017.0
Further details — not scored
Size55 MB6 MB
Age rating17+17+
DeveloperCodeCrossMatthew Wong

In-app purchases

None

Single Tab

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Surf

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

Questions

Is Single Tab free?
Single Tab is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Surf free?
Surf is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Single Tab or Surf have ads?
Neither Single Tab nor Surf shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Single Tab or Surf?
Single Tab ships an update monthly, and Surf every 4 days. Most recently, Single Tab was updated on September 25, 2026 and Surf on September 20, 2026.

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