Subsurface vs Buddy
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
Read full descriptionHide full description
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.
Buddy
This app is a comprehensive companion for divers, offering features to log dives, manage gear, and connect with a community of ocean enthusiasts. It provides tools for both free and premium users to enhance their underwater adventures and discover new diving experiences.
- Dive Log recording and validation
- Buddy network and activity feed
- Gear management
- Offline access to certifications
- Buddy Radar for finding dive buddies
- Discover feed for underwater content
Read full descriptionHide full description
Dive into adventure with Buddy, the ultimate companion for divers of all levels! Buddy makes diving accessible, exciting, and safe with both free and premium features that transform your underwater experiences. FREE FEATURES Dive Log: Record dives, validate them with instructors, add buddies, businesses, and share your adventure! Buddy Discover Activity: Build a network of divers, by viewing their dive log activity in the homepage diver feed of content. Gear Management: Add your gear to your profile and link it to dive logs. Offline Mode: Access certifications and log basic dive details, even offline. Discover Feed: Explore a live feed of Buddy activity and inspiring underwater content. PREMIUM FEATURES Buddy Radar: Meet dive buddies near you or at trip destinations for only $2.99/month or $29.99/year. Color-Correction Filters (Coming Soon): Enhance your underwater photos with professional-quality filters. COMING IN 2025 Dive Computer Integration (Coming Soon): Sync your dives directly to your Buddy profile. Book activities with verified dive shops worldwide through Buddy. Join the Buddy community and take your diving adventures to the next level!
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Subsurface at none against Buddy's 2. Buddy's advantage is review sentiment (77% vs 63%) and iOS requirement (15.1 vs 17). On price, rating, ratings volume and update cadence 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. Buddy sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Subsurface asks for nothing beyond the download.
Subsurface holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 48 and 49 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 63% of Subsurface's written reviews are positive against 77% of Buddy's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
Subsurface ships an update every 2 months, Buddy monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 22, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Subsurface | Buddy |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.5 (48 ratings) — better | 4.3 (49 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 63.3% of reviews | 76.9% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 48 | 49 — 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, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 17 | 15.1 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 52 MB | 118 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | Dirk Hohndel | Dive with Buddy, Inc. |
Customer experience
Subsurface
Buddy
Bugs and requests
Subsurface
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
Buddy
Reported bugs
7 issues- Buddy radar not working
- App crashes and becomes unresponsive
- Login issues (email not found)
- Draft dives appearing in public searches
- Deleted drafts still appearing publicly
Show 2 moreShow fewer
- Verification issues for certifications
- App freezes and spins when adding info
Requested features
7 requests- Open to dive status to link people
- Ability to import/export data
- Direct data download from dive computers
- Support for technical diving features (e.g., double tanks, trimix volumes)
- Inclusion of smaller certification organizations (GUE, UTD)
Show 2 moreShow fewer
- Booking features
- More ways to connect with other divers
In-app purchases
Subsurface
No in-app purchases
Buddy
- Buddy Radar: Monthly1 Month trial$3.991 Month
- Buddy Radar: Annual1 Month trial$29.991 Year
