Subsurface vs Scuba
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.
Scuba
This app provides estimated real-time dive conditions for Cozumel, combining marine forecasts with diver-submitted reports. Plan your dives with reef intelligence, port status, and interactive maps.
- Real-time marine conditions
- Port status updates
- Reef-specific dive condition estimates
- Diver-submitted reports
- Interactive Cozumel dive map
- Dive logging
- Water temperature, wind, and wave forecasts
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Scuba-Cast helps divers explore estimated dive conditions around Cozumel using marine forecasts, reef intelligence, port status updates, and diver-submitted reports. Whether planning a shore dive, boat trip, training dive, or advanced drift dive, Scuba-Cast combines forecast models and real-world diver feedback into a single easy-to-use platform. FEATURES • Real-time marine conditions • Official and forecast-based port status updates • Reef-specific dive condition estimates • Diver-submitted visibility and current reports • Interactive Cozumel dive map • Dive logging and reef condition tracking • Water temperature, wind, and wave forecasts • Community reef reports from divers, pros, and operators • Zone-based reef scoring and conditions • Premium advanced marine forecasting tools SCUBA-CAST INCLUDES • Current wind and wave forecasts • Reef condition estimates • Dive score indicators • Diver visibility reports • Marine weather summaries • Port closure risk guidance • Dive site exploration tools • Dive logbook tools • Cozumel reef intelligence IMPORTANT NOTICE Scuba-Cast provides estimated and user-submitted informational data only. Conditions may change rapidly and may be inaccurate, delayed, or incomplete. Scuba-Cast is not a safety authority and should not be relied upon as the sole basis for dive decisions. Always follow the guidance of your dive operator, instructor, captain, divemaster, or local authorities.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Scuba at 5.0 against Subsurface's 4.5. Scuba also leads on iOS requirement (15.1 vs 17). Subsurface's advantage is ratings volume (48 vs 1). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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.
Scuba 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 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.
| Parameter | Subsurface | Scuba |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.5 (48 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 63.3% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 48 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | — |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 17 | 15.1 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 52 MB | 32 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Dirk Hohndel | Scuba-Cast LLC |
In-app purchases
Subsurface
No in-app purchases
Scuba
No in-app purchases







