Subsurface vs Breathe
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Subsurface
This application allows divers to manage their dive logs on their mobile devices. It supports editing dive data and downloading new information from compatible dive computers. Optional cloud synchronization is available for seamless data transfer with desktop versions.
- Mobile dive log management
- Edit dive data
- Download from Bluetooth LE dive computers
- Optional cloud synchronization
- Open-source and free
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Subsurface-mobile is an iOS dive log application based on Subsurface, the best free open source dive log application available on Windows, Mac and Linux. Subsurface-mobile allows you to access your dive log on your tablet or phone, edit the data and even download new dive information from many Bluetooth LE enabled dive computers. Using a free Subsurface Cloud Storage account you can synchronize your dive data with the Subsurface desktop application (while significantly increasing the usefulness, the cloud account is not required to use Subsurface-mobile). To get support from the developers, please use the in-app menu entry "Ask for support" Please check out the Subsurface-mobile user manual: https://subsurface-divelog.org/documentation/subsurface-mobile-v3-user-manual (also available from within the app) Subsurface-mobile is free and open source. No ads, no commercial anything. And it comes with free cloud storage (if you decide to use that - it's optional). Your data aren't used for anything, nothing gets monetized.
Breathe
This app digitizes scuba diving logs, replacing traditional paper books. It allows divers to record detailed information about each dive, including photos, videos, and equipment, with both free and premium features available.
- Digital dive logging
- Multi-depth profiles
- Add photos and videos
- Equipment management
- Cloud syncing
- Dive planner and checklists
- PDF export
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Breathe is an innovative digital scuba dive log set to revolutionise the world of recreational scuba diving. Gone are the days when you need to carry around a paper log book to log your dives (never mind forgetting or losing the book altogether). With Breathe you can create detailed multi-depth profiles for each dive that you’ve done, allowing you to log as much or as little information about your dives as you want, from the basics like dive location, depth and time to more advanced features like adding photos and videos, ratings, equipment, digital certifications and many more… Breathe is fun and easy to use; with interactive elements taking the hassle out of logging dives. It is a beautifully designed app that divers can use whatever their ability or experience. With so much great content to offer, this app could be end of you logging your dives on paper and the start of you helping us save those trees! Breathe comes in two versions, the basic FREE version that allows you to log your dives, anywhere, anytime (seriously, you don’t even need to be connected to the internet); and a PRO version for subscribed users that unlocks great add-ons to the basic app. With the FREE version comes with these features: - The ability to add, edit and delete dive logs. - View all your dives on a timeline with up to 6 months of history, which is the official amount of time that PADI requires before you need a refresher course. - Support for metric and imperial systems. - Tailor your design for both women and men, because we support gender equality. You can also subscribe to either Breathe Pro Monthly, Yearly or Life to unlock the premium features of the app: - Automatic syncing with the cloud and with all your devices, so no need to worry if you drop your phone in the sea, all your logs are backed up. - Equipment overview that allows you to manage your equipment settings at any time. Your equipment settings are now automagically saved between dives. - View your dive history on a timeline with no limitations as to how far back you can go. - View your dives on a world map and share your map with the world! Add photos and videos, comments and dive buddies to your dive logs. - Export all your dive logs to PDF. - A handy hand signals review guide. - Make sure you’re not forgetting anything with our interactive dive planner and pre-dive checklists. Export your dive plan to pdf to help you coordinate your dive buddies. - A handy diver profile view, where you can upload essential documents and manage your own custom equipment. The best thing is, Breathe Pro will cost you less than what you're already paying for those paper log books! We think it’s about time the diving industry caught up with the 21st Century. And we’re only just starting. We have a comprehensive roadmap for future updates lined up and we need your help to make Breathe the smartest scuba dive log on the planet! What do you have to do? Just download our free app and log your dives. And if you’re liking the product, why not upgrade to the Pro version to unlock great add-ons? Breathe Pro Monthly & Breathe Pro Yearly subscriptions automatically renew unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal. Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase. Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that service, where applicable. Terms and Conditions: https://www.epic-apps.uk/breathe-terms-and-conditions Privacy Policy: https://www.epic-apps.uk/breathe-privacy-policy
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Subsurface at none against Breathe's 5. Breathe's advantage is update cadence (monthly vs every 2 months) and ratings volume (297 vs 48). On price, rating, review sentiment and ads 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. Breathe sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Subsurface asks for nothing beyond the download.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.5 for Subsurface against 4.5 for Breathe. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Breathe has 297 ratings behind it against 48, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 63% of Subsurface's written reviews are positive against 67% of Breathe's.
Subsurface ships an update every 2 months, Breathe monthly. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 6, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Subsurface | Breathe |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.5 (48 ratings) — better | 4.5 (297 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 63.3% of reviews | 66.7% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 48 | 297 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Monthly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Freemium |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 17 | 12.4 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 52 MB | 134 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Dirk Hohndel | EPIC APPS UK |
Customer experience
Subsurface
Breathe
Bugs and requests
Subsurface
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
Breathe
Reported bugs
11 issues- App crashes when accessing dive history
- App crashes when editing dives or adding information
- App crashes immediately after opening
- Crashes after purchasing pro subscription
- Bluetooth connection failures
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- Dives disappearing after extended periods of inactivity
- Subscription not recognized after reinstalling app
- Pro features not accessible despite active subscription
- Data loss upon phone switching
- Text visibility issues in certain fields
- Login functionality not displayed or working
Requested features
16 requests- Dive computer integration and direct data import
- Desktop application for Mac and Windows
- Advanced search by buddy, location, equipment, and comments
- Higher pressure limits for sidemount and technical diving
- Additional gas mix options beyond EAN32/36
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- Cumulative dive time tracking
- Dive statistics and analytics (SAC/RMV calculations, average depth, favorite sites)
- Finer pressure increment options (10-100 PSI increments)
- Free text search in comments field
- Auto-populate previously used buddies, dive centers, and certifiers
- Ability to edit closed/finalized dive reports
- Emergency contact information storage
- Specific mega fauna categories (sharks, whales, octopi)
- Offline dive site location access
- Bluetooth connectivity with dive computers
- Better location search with suggestions and user-added location search
In-app purchases
Subsurface
No in-app purchases
Breathe
- Breathe Pro (Monthly)1 Month trial$2.991 Month
- Breathe Pro (Yearly)1 Month trial$19.991 Year
- Breathe Pro (Life Discount 2)$39.99
- Breathe Pro (Life Discount 1)$49.99
- Breathe Pro (Life)$59.99









