# Subsurface vs DiveBuddy

The clearest difference is review sentiment: DiveBuddy at 100% against Subsurface's 63%. DiveBuddy also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.5) and update cadence (daily vs every 2 months). Subsurface's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and ratings volume (48 vs 3). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. DiveBuddy sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Subsurface asks for nothing beyond the download.

DiveBuddy holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Subsurface has 48 ratings behind it against 3, 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 DiveBuddy's.

Subsurface ships an update every 2 months, DiveBuddy daily. The most recent releases landed on September 27, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Subsurface | DiveBuddy |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.5 (48 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/subsurface-mobile/id1093217161/reviews) | **[5.0 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/divebuddy/id6754206325/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **48** | 3 |
| Positive reviews | 63.3% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Daily** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Freemium |
| Size | 52 MB | 82 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17 | **15.1** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Dirk Hohndel](https://appshunter.io/developer/1093217160) | [Dive Buddy LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1847082147) |

## 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


### DiveBuddy

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/divebuddy/id6754206325)

Connect with fellow scuba divers, find dive buddies, and discover new dive sites. This app offers essential scuba calculators, a digital dive log, and a platform to store certifications and share underwater photos. Engage in community forums and discussions to enhance your diving experience.

**Highlights:** Find dive buddies, Scuba calculators, Digital dive log, Community dive sites, Store certifications, Share underwater photos, Scuba forums

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

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| DiveBuddy Pro - Monthly | $2.99 | per month |
| DiveBuddy Pro - Annually | $24.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Subsurface free?

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

### Is DiveBuddy free?

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

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

DiveBuddy is rated higher. Subsurface averages 4.5 out of 5 from 48 ratings, while DiveBuddy averages 5.0 from 3 ratings.

### Do Subsurface or DiveBuddy have ads?

Neither Subsurface nor DiveBuddy shows ads.

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

Subsurface ships an update every 2 months, and DiveBuddy daily. Most recently, Subsurface was updated on September 27, 2026 and DiveBuddy on September 21, 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.*