# Subsurface vs Breathe

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Subsurface | Breathe |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.5 (48 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/subsurface-mobile/id1093217161/reviews)** | [4.5 (297 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/breathe-smart-scuba-dive-log/id1351691642/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 48 | **297** |
| Positive reviews | 63.3% of reviews | **66.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Freemium |
| Size | 52 MB | 134 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17 | **12.4** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Dirk Hohndel](https://appshunter.io/developer/1093217160) | [EPIC APPS UK](https://appshunter.io/developer/953300493) |

## What reviewers say

### Subsurface

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/subsurface-mobile/id1093217161)

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.

**Highlights:** Mobile dive log management, Edit dive data, Download from Bluetooth LE dive computers, Optional cloud synchronization, Open-source and free

**In-app purchases:** none


### Breathe

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/breathe-smart-scuba-dive-log/id1351691642)

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.

**Highlights:** Digital dive logging, Multi-depth profiles, Add photos and videos, Equipment management, Cloud syncing, Dive planner and checklists, PDF export

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Breathe Pro (Monthly) | $2.99 | per month |
| Breathe Pro (Yearly) | $19.99 | per year |
| Breathe Pro (Life Discount 2) | $39.99 | one-time |
| Breathe Pro (Life Discount 1) | $49.99 | one-time |
| Breathe Pro (Life) | $59.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Intuitive and easy-to-use interface
- 📱 Convenient digital replacement for paper logbooks
- 🎨 Attractive design and visual presentation
- 📍 Geolocation mapping of dive sites
- ⚙️ Comprehensive equipment tracking and maintenance scheduling

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent app crashes and stability issues
- 💾 Data loss and disappearing dive logs
- 🔌 No dive computer synchronization or import capability
- 🔐 Confusing login and subscription management
- ⚠️ Limited gas mix options (only Air, EAN32, EAN36)

**Reported bugs**

- 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

**Requested features**

- 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


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Subsurface free?

Subsurface is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Breathe free?

Breathe is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Subsurface or Breathe?

Subsurface is rated higher. Subsurface averages 4.5 out of 5 from 48 ratings, while Breathe averages 4.5 from 297 ratings.

### Do Subsurface or Breathe have ads?

Neither Subsurface nor Breathe shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Subsurface or Breathe?

Subsurface ships an update every 2 months, and Breathe monthly. Most recently, Subsurface was updated on November 2, 2026 and Breathe on November 6, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*