Customer Reviews (500)

Kebmh • 2025-02-08T07:50:03-07:00

I just got it a couple of days ago but I find it very easy to use and it’s very accurate.

Jabari app NvG • 2025-01-13T09:00:22-07:00

I live next to the ocean IN CAPE and use this app always Life the graphic representation of the tide and moon cycles

adrianmesko • 2024-12-18T16:36:05-07:00

That’s a shame isn’t it. Surely this could easily be scaled to the globe

Summary of Key Insights

Tide Alert (NOAA) - Tide Chart is generally well-received, with a high percentage of 5-star reviews. Users praise its ease of use, clear graphical interface, accuracy, and helpful features like tide alerts and moon phase information. However, the transition to a subscription model has generated significant negative feedback. Recurring issues include app crashes, especially after iOS updates, and feature limitations such as a lack of global coverage and the inability to set negative tide alerts. The app's strengths lie in its user-friendly design and reliability when it functions correctly, but technical issues and the subscription model are major pain points.

Overall Rating: High (based on 5-star reviews), but with significant dissatisfaction regarding the subscription model and technical issues.

Quantitative Metrics:

  • Overall Reviews: 500
  • Score Distribution: 1 star - 13.4%, 2 star - 5.2%, 3 star - 4%, 4 star - 6.8%, 5 star - 70.6%

Data & Methodology Overview

Data Sample Size: 500 reviews Time Frame: Not explicitly stated, but reviews appear to span several years based on references to iOS updates and past app functionality. Analysis Methods:

  • Sentiment Analysis: Categorizing reviews based on positive, negative, or neutral sentiment.
  • Keyword Extraction: Identifying frequently mentioned terms related to features, issues, and user experience.
  • Frequency Analysis: Counting the occurrences of specific issues and feature requests.

Key User Pain Points

  • Subscription Model: The most significant pain point. Users who previously enjoyed a free or one-time purchase model are unhappy with the shift to a recurring subscription. Many state they will seek alternative, free options.
  • App Crashing: A recurring issue, especially after iOS updates. The app becomes unusable, requiring deletion and reinstallation.
  • Limited Location Coverage: Lack of tide station data for regions outside the US coastline, including Europe, Australia, Africa, Canada (Great Lakes, BC).
  • Lack of Negative Tide Alert Functionality: Users need to set alerts for negative tides (below 0.0 ft) for specific activities, and the app currently doesn't support this.
  • Family Sharing Issues: The subscription is not shareable with family members via Apple's Family Sharing, forcing multiple subscriptions within a household.
  • Watch App Limitations: Some users find the Apple Watch app limited in functionality, specifically the number of stations it can track.
  • Appears to be a lack of support from the developer: Some users complain about a lack of response from the developer on issues and feature requests.

Frequently Requested Features

  • Global Coverage: Expansion of tide station data to include more regions worldwide.
  • Negative Tide Alerts: Ability to set alerts for tides below 0.0 ft.
  • Family Sharing: Support for Apple's Family Sharing to allow subscription sharing with family members.
  • One-Time Purchase Option: Offer a one-time purchase option instead of or in addition to a subscription.
  • Offline Data Download: Option to download tide data for offline use in areas with limited internet connectivity.
  • Watch Face Integration: A watch face that directly displays tide information.
  • Integration with Weather Data: Incorporate wind speed, direction, and other weather information.
  • Datum Selection: The ability to select different datums/benchmarks.
  • Landscape Mode: Ability to use the app in landscape mode.

Strengths and Positive Aspects

  • Ease of Use: Users consistently praise the app's intuitive interface and ease of navigation.
  • Graphical Representation: The clear and visually appealing graphical representation of tide data is a major selling point.
  • Accuracy: Users generally find the tide predictions to be accurate.
  • Tide Alerts: The ability to set custom tide alerts is a valuable feature.
  • Moon Phase Information: The inclusion of moon phase data is appreciated.
  • Offline Functionality: Offline availability of tide events for starred stations is a significant advantage.
  • Apple Watch Integration: Functionality with Apple Watch is a popular feature.
  • Custom Reference Level: The ability to plot a custom reference level on the tide chart is valued by users with specific needs.

Prioritized Action Recommendations

High Priority:

  • Address App Crashing Issues: Investigate and resolve the recurring app crashing issues, especially after iOS updates. This is a critical stability problem that significantly impacts user experience.
  • Re-evaluate Subscription Model: Consider offering a one-time purchase option or a more affordable subscription plan to mitigate negative feedback. Explore an ad-supported free version.
  • Implement Family Sharing: Enable Apple's Family Sharing to allow subscription sharing.

Medium Priority:

  • Expand Location Coverage: Prioritize expanding tide station data to include more regions, especially frequently requested areas like Europe, Australia, Africa, and Canada.
  • Add Negative Tide Alert Functionality: Implement the ability to set alerts for negative tide levels.
  • Improve Support: Make it easier for users to contact support through the app.

Low Priority:

  • Add Weather Data Integration: Explore integrating weather information, such as wind speed and direction.
  • Datum Selection: The ability to select different datums/benchmarks.
  • Landscape Mode: Implement landscape mode.
  • Watch Face Integration: Develop a watch face that displays tide information directly.

Opportunities for Startup Ideas

  • Hyper-Local Tide Prediction Service: A service that uses crowdsourced data and local sensors to provide more accurate tide predictions for specific micro-locations (e.g., specific surf breaks, small harbors).
  • Tide and Weather Forecasting Platform for Specific Activities: An app that combines tide and weather data with activity-specific recommendations (e.g., best times for surfing, fishing, kayaking) based on user preferences and skill level.
  • Open-Source Tide Data Aggregation and Visualization Tool: A platform that allows users to contribute tide data and create custom visualizations, fostering a community-driven approach to tide prediction.
  • Subscription Management Tool: A tool that helps users manage subscriptions like this one.

Trends and Observations

  • Shift to Subscription Model: The transition to a subscription model has been a major catalyst for negative reviews.
  • iOS Update Issues: App crashing after iOS updates is a recurring pattern, suggesting a need for better testing and compatibility.
  • Geographic Bias: The app is heavily focused on the US coastline, leaving users in other regions underserved.
  • Technical issues reported are generally followed by a quick fix: Several users updated their ratings once the developer fixed a reported bug.

Conclusion

Tide Alert (NOAA) - Tide Chart is a valuable tool for coastal enthusiasts, but its subscription model and technical issues are significant drawbacks. Addressing these pain points and expanding the app's features and coverage will be crucial for maintaining user satisfaction and attracting new users. The app has a strong foundation in its user-friendly design and accurate data, but needs to adapt to user expectations and address its limitations.

Overall Recommendation: Prioritize fixing app stability issues and reconsider the subscription model. Expand location coverage and add frequently requested features to enhance the app's value and appeal.

Original App Link

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/tide-alert-noaa-tide-chart/id1352211125?uo=2