Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Surf VS Thunkable

Compare Surf VS Thunkable and see what are their differences

Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

Surf logo Surf

A simple web browser based on WebKit2/GTK+

Thunkable logo Thunkable

Powerful but easy to use, drag-and-drop mobile app builder.
  • Surf Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-08-25
  • Thunkable Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-23

Surf features and specs

  • Minimalism
    Surf is extremely lightweight and focuses on offering a minimalistic web browsing experience, which can result in faster performance and lower resource usage.
  • Customizability
    Users can tailor Surf to their specific needs through patches and configuration. This makes it highly adaptable for those who are comfortable with a bit of coding.
  • Integration with Suckless Tools
    Surf fits seamlessly into the Suckless ecosystem, integrating well with other minimal and efficient tools like the DWM window manager.
  • Privacy
    By default, Surf doesn't include many of the tracking features found in mainstream browsers, potentially offering a more privacy-conscious browsing experience.
  • Compliance with UNIX Philosophy
    Surf adheres to the UNIX philosophy of doing one thing well, focusing solely on web browsing without additional, potentially unwanted, features.

Possible disadvantages of Surf

  • Steep Learning Curve
    Customizing and configuring Surf can be challenging for users who are not familiar with programming or the command line.
  • Limited Features
    Due to its minimalistic design, Surf lacks many modern features like extensions, tabs, and a built-in password manager that are standard in other browsers.
  • Manual Updates
    Users need to manually update the browser, which can be a hassle compared to automatic updates provided by mainstream browsers.
  • Compatibility Issues
    Surf may have trouble rendering some modern web pages correctly, as it lacks some of the compatibility layers found in more feature-complete browsers.
  • Community Support
    Being a niche and minimalist browser, Surf does not have as large a user base or as much community support compared to more popular browsers.

Thunkable features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    Thunkable offers a drag-and-drop interface which makes it easy for beginners to create mobile apps without needing to write code.
  • Cross-Platform Development
    It allows you to build apps that work on both iOS and Android platforms from a single codebase, saving time and effort.
  • Community and Support
    Thunkable has an active community and extensive documentation, which can be very helpful for troubleshooting and learning new features.
  • Real-time Testing
    You can test your app in real-time using the Thunkable Live app, which speeds up the development process.
  • Integrations
    Thunkable offers various pre-built integrations such as Google Sheets, Firebase, and REST APIs, making it easier to add functionality to your app.

Possible disadvantages of Thunkable

  • Limited Customization
    While the drag-and-drop interface is user-friendly, it can also be limiting for advanced users who need more control and customization.
  • Performance Issues
    Apps built with Thunkable may not perform as well as those built with native development tools, particularly for resource-intensive applications.
  • Pricing
    While Thunkable offers a free tier, many advanced features and higher usage limits are locked behind a subscription paywall.
  • Learning Curve for Complex Apps
    Although itโ€™s beginner-friendly, creating complex apps can still require a steep learning curve, especially if you donโ€™t have a background in app development.
  • Dependence on Platform Limitations
    As a cross-platform tool, it may not always support the latest features specific to iOS or Android as quickly as native solutions.

Analysis of Surf

Overall verdict

  • Surf can be considered 'good' for users who value simplicity, minimal system resource usage, and the ability to customize their browsing experience via external scripts or patches. However, it might not be suitable for those who rely heavily on modern web features and extensions available in mainstream browsers.

Why this product is good

  • Surf is a minimalist web browser created by the Suckless community, known for developing software that adheres to the philosophy of simplicity and clarity. It is designed to be lightweight and efficient, making it suitable for users who prefer minimalism and are comfortable using a browser without a graphical user interface (GUI) for settings or extensions.

Recommended for

  • Users who are familiar with Unix-like operating systems and command-line interfaces.
  • Individuals who prefer lightweight and efficient software.
  • Those willing to customize their browser through external tools and scripts.
  • Minimalists who do not require a plethora of features and extensions.

Analysis of Thunkable

Overall verdict

  • Thunkable is a good choice for individuals or small teams looking to develop apps quickly and without needing to learn complex programming languages. Its simplicity and cross-platform capabilities make it a preferred option for novice developers or educators teaching app development.

Why this product is good

  • Thunkable is a platform that allows users to create mobile applications without extensive coding knowledge. It features a drag-and-drop interface, making it accessible to beginners and those without a technical background. The platform supports both Android and iOS app development from a single project, which saves time and effort. Additionally, Thunkable provides various pre-built components and a community forum for support.

Recommended for

    Beginners in app development, educators introducing app creation, small startups looking for rapid prototyping, and non-technical entrepreneurs interested in building mobile applications.

Surf videos

Pro Surfer Reviews Surf Movies, from 'Blue Crush' to 'Point Break' | Vanity Fair

More videos:

  • Review - Noel's "2021 Favorite Finds" Surfboards & Surf Product Must Haves
  • Tutorial - Surf Tip "How to Surf Faster in Small Waves" Part 1

Thunkable videos

What is Thunkable X?

More videos:

  • Review - Thunkable vs Kodular: Create Android and iOS Apps without Coding
  • Review - ProductHunt Review E8 (Reactful, Thunkable, Tster) by Cleveroad Inc

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Surf and Thunkable)
Web Browsers
100 100%
0% 0
Mobile App Builder
0 0%
100% 100
Web Development Tools
100 100%
0% 0
Application Builder
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Surf and Thunkable

Surf Reviews

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Thunkable Reviews

Top 10 Android Studio Alternatives For App Development
Thunkable is a mobile application development platform that allows users to create apps on Android or iOS without having any coding skills. It consists of a drag-and-drop interface which makes it easier to use by anyone.
Top 5 App Builder To Build Your Own App Without Coding
In the Free Version of Thunkable, You can make a maximum of 10 posts with 200 MB of storage, Don't create a Good Project in the free version because Your project is available in public So that anyone can use it. If you want to create an app to publish your app on the play store, So please buy PRO subscriptions in Thunkable or Move to another app builder. Only you can...
33+ Best No Code Tools you will love ๐Ÿ˜
With testing out Thunkable with a friend, it's a bit of s learning curve at first, but once you get used to the platform, there's a lot of potential to build awesome projects. What I do like that they have done is includes video tutorials (which is pulled in from their YouTube page) to understand specific features/tools to help build your app. Something I think more apps...
25 No-Code Apps and Tools to help build your next Startup
Thunkable is a powerful mobile app builder that requires no coding. It emphasizes speed and aesthetics. Its best feature is its functionality for advanced features.
Source: www.ishir.com
10 Best Android Studio Alternatives For App Development
Thunkable is a powerful drag and drops app builder. And this is made by two of the very first MIT engineers on the MIT app inventor. The platform is geared for the most professional users, who may want higher quality and robust apps for their business, community or just for themselves. Thus, Thunkable has an amazingly active and engaged community. And it also offers live...
Source: techdator.net

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Surf should be more popular than Thunkable. It has been mentiond 46 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Surf mentions (46)

  • My server is a phone now
    When I read about the browser 'surf', I first thought of the browser from suckless: https://surf.suckless.org/. - Source: Hacker News / 3 days ago
  • How to build a circular LCD clock
    Interesting, surf is based off WebKit2. https://surf.suckless.org/. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 month ago
  • Ladybird browser spreads its wings
    What about surf? https://surf.suckless.org/. - Source: Hacker News / about 2 years ago
  • A peculiarity of the X Window System: Windows all the way down
    Another awesome aspect of X11: Xembed. Since it's "windows all the way down" you can have apps (rather than the window manager or root window) be the parent of other app windows. Two nifty examples of this: * https://tools.suckless.org/tabbed/ * https://surf.suckless.org/. - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
  • The Ladybird Browser Project
    Don't forget WebKit. It leads to project such as https://surf.suckless.org. - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
View more

Thunkable mentions (10)

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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Surf and Thunkable, you can also consider the following products

Coindive - Stay effortlessly updated on your favorite crypto projects.

Bubble.io - Building tech is slow and expensive. Bubble is the most powerful no-code platform for creating digital products.

Sidekick Browser - The fastest browser for work ever made

Android Studio - Android development environment based on IntelliJ IDEA

Vivaldi - Vivaldi is a free, fast web browser designed for power-users. You decide how you browse. Download Vivaldi's fully customisable browser now and browse your way.

AppyPie AppMakr - AppMakr is a browser-based platform designed to make creating your own iPhone app quick and easy.