Subsurface vs Narwhal
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.
Narwhal
This app allows recreational scuba divers to digitally log their dives, replacing traditional paper logbooks. It features a visual dive globe, automatic tracking of dive statistics, and secure iCloud backup. Users can customize units, modes, and access their dive history without sign-ups or ads.
- Digital dive logbook
- Global dive visualization
- Automatic dive stats tracking
- iCloud backup and sync
- Customizable units and modes
- No ads or sign-ups required
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The best app to replace your paper logbook. Simple, minimal, and backed up in iCloud. Never forget your dive logs at home again, keep your dives organized, automatically track your all-time dive stats, and see your diving adventures pinned around the globe! Best for recreational scuba divers. Key Features: DIVE GLOBE: • Visualize your dives pinned on the new Dive Globe design! • Explore your past dives by geographic location, tap on dive pins to open up a group of dives or an individual dive without scrolling through a long list. LOG ESSENTIAL DIVE DETAILS: • Dive number • Dive activity • Dive site • Date • Time in / out • Start / End pressure • Bottom time • Max depth • Weights • Activity notes AUTOMATICALLY TRACK YOUR DIVE STATS: • Total time (Cumulative) • Number of sites dived KEEP DATA PRIVATE & BACKED UP SAFELY: • iCloud backup & sync CUSTOMIZE TO YOUR NEEDS: • Metric / Imperial units • Light / Dark mode • Reduce Motion NO ADS NO SIGN-UPS - Zero personal information is required to use Narwhal. Contact us: support@divenarwhal.com
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Narwhal at 100% against Subsurface's 63%. Narwhal also leads on rating (4.8 vs 4.5). Subsurface's advantage is ratings volume (48 vs 4). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Narwhal holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Subsurface has 48 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 63% of Subsurface's written reviews are positive against 100% of Narwhal's.
Subsurface ships an update every 2 months, Narwhal monthly. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Subsurface | Narwhal |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.5 (48 ratings) | 4.8 (4 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 63.3% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 48 — better | 4 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Monthly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 17 — better | 17.5 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 52 MB | 3 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Dirk Hohndel | Hubert Ka |
Customer experience
Subsurface
Narwhal
In-app purchases
Subsurface
No in-app purchases
Narwhal
No in-app purchases
