This article compares the types of ocean wave energy conversion systems (OWECS), which itself is a type of Ocean energy conversion system (OECS).
| Type | Efficiency | Fabrication requirements | Difficulty of production | Durability | Difficulty of repair | Production cost | Hazard to fish ? |
| Sea snakes[1] | Low | ? | ? | ? | ? | medium | no |
| Swell spanners | Very low | ? | ? | ? | ? | medium-expensive | no |
| Oscillating buoys | Low | ? | ? | ? | ? | medium-expensive | no |
| Fixed platforms | High | ? | ? | ? | ? | medium-expensive | no |