Comparison

Subsurface vs krakentools

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • Mobile dive log management
  • Edit dive data
  • Download from Bluetooth LE dive computers
  • Optional cloud synchronization
  • Open-source and free
Read 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.

About

krakentools

This comprehensive dive toolbox offers planning and safety features for recreational, Nitrox, TEC, and CCR divers. It includes a digital logbook with Bluetooth connectivity for various dive computers, extensive import/export options, and tools for underwater media editing.

Highlights
  • Dive planner for various dive types
  • Decompression planner with Bühlmann ZH-L16C
  • Gas planning and analysis tools
  • Digital logbook with Bluetooth sync
  • Import/export dive data
  • Underwater photo/video color correction
  • CCR-specific dive tools
Features
Read full description

KrakenTools – the all-in-one toolbox for recreational, Nitrox, TEC, and CCR divers. Version includes 26 professional dive tools, a reworked digital logbook, Bluetooth support for many dive computers, expanded import/export functions, and support for 164 languages. DIVE TOOLS FOR PLANNING AND SAFETY • Dive planner for air, Nitrox, single, repetitive, and multi-dive plans • Decompression planner with Bühlmann ZH-L16C • NDL, Nitrox, Trimix, Best Mix, and gas analysis • Gasblender with real-gas and Z-correction • CNS/OTU, gas density, minimum gas, rock bottom, turn pressure, and lost gas • Bailout, ICD, EAD, EADD, END, ENP, and CCR setpoint • New CCR tools: O₂ cell tracker, scrubber calculator, and scrubber tracking • Lift bag, weighting, and scenario calculators DIGITAL LOGBOOK • Reworked logbook with improved structure, stability, and interfaces • Bluetooth for Shearwater, Heinrichs Weikamp, Ratio, DiveSoft, Halcyon, DiveSystem, Scubapro, Mares, Aqua Lung, Cressi, Oceanic, and more • Import from Scubapro LogTRAK, Garmin FIT, DiveLog, Suunto, and other formats • Export as JSON, CSV, UDDF, DL7, Subsurface XML, and PDF • Dive profiles, statistics, analysis, projects, and groups KRAKENSTUDIO • UW Color Fix becomes KrakenStudio • Photo and video color fix for underwater media • Beta camera connection for Insta360, GoPro, DJI Osmo, and other action cams KrakenTools combines dive planning, gas planning, logbook, dive computer connection, media editing, and analysis in one modern app – developed by divers for divers. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Subsurface4 screens
krakentools4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: krakentools at 100% against Subsurface's 63%. krakentools also leads on update cadence (every 8 days vs every 2 months) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17). Subsurface's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3). On price, ads, monetization model and device support 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. krakentools sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Subsurface asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Subsurface ships an update every 2 months, krakentools every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Subsurface versus krakentools: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSubsurfacekrakentools
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (48 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews63.3% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings48 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 8 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS1715.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size52 MB140 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDirk HohndelArndt Kemper

Customer experience

Subsurface

All ratings48 ratings
Positive89.6%
Neutral2.1%
Negative8.3%
Written reviews30 reviews
Positive63.3%
Neutral6.7%
Negative30.0%

krakentools

Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Subsurface

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

krakentools

Subscriptions2
  • KrakenTools Pro - Monthly$3.991 Month
  • KrakenTools Pro - Yearly$44.991 Year
One-time1
  • KrakenTools Pro Version$49.99

Questions

Is Subsurface free?
Subsurface is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is krakentools free?
krakentools is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Subsurface or krakentools have ads?
Neither Subsurface nor krakentools shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Subsurface or krakentools?
Subsurface ships an update every 2 months, and krakentools every 8 days. Most recently, Subsurface was updated on October 14, 2026 and krakentools on October 15, 2026.

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