Comparison

Lap Swim vs LapBuddy

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

Head to head
About

Lap Swim

This app automatically counts laps and tracks swim times on your Apple Watch. It detects stroke type and count, and graphs your performance on a paired iPhone. Enjoy a large font display for easy viewing during your workout.

Highlights
  • Automatic lap counting
  • Stroke detection (freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke)
  • Kickboard lap detection
  • Large font display
  • Stopwatch function
  • Workout graphing on iPhone
  • Health and Activity app integration
Features
Read full description

Automatic Lap Counter with Stopwatch and LARGE FONTS; Lap Swim is an Apple Watch (Series 2 and later) App that automatically detects, displays, records and graphs the lap count and elapsed time of a swim session. Detects and displays the type of stroke and stroke count during each lap. - Detects and displays the lap direction and lap count while swimming using the gyroscope in the Apple Watch - LARGE FONT display of time and lap count - Stopwatch function while swimming - Auto start/stop mode detects swimming and automatically starts (or stops) the stopwatch - Lap counter counts up from 0 or counts down from preset lap goal - Senses and displays freestyle strokes, backstrokes, and breaststrokes - Detects and counts kickboard laps - Records and graphs (on the paired iPhone) the following: ------ Date and time of a swim session ------ Time for each lap and of entire swim session ------ Number of laps ------ Average speed and speed for each lap ------ Stroke count and type of stroke (freestyle, back, breast or kick board) ------ Distance in meters or yards - Enters workout information into the Health and Activity apps Lap Swim uses the gyroscope and accelerometer in the Apple Watch to detect the type of stroke and the orientation of the swimmer. Using this information it displays the lap count of a swim session. Lap Swim also has a standard stopwatch function. The swim session information is transmitted to the paired iPhone and displayed on both a table and a graph. Lap Swim is free and fully functional for the first 250 laps. After that, Lap Swim continues to function but it requires a low cost IAP to display the lap count. Screenshots: -Apple Watch: 1) Large 2 line display - Swimming return half of 51st lap after 49:35 2) 3 line display - returning on lap 10 after 9:10; 11 breaststrokes taken this half lap 3) 3 line display - after turning and starting lap 11; showing last half lap stroke count (11) and elapsed time (34.6) 4) 3 line display - going out on lap 12; this lap you have taken 3 freestyle strokes, 2 backstrokes, 5 breaststrokes, and over 15 seconds using a kickboard 5) Starting a Workout Session in 2 second and turning on water lock. 6) Lap length set to 25 yards. 7) Settings options - 2 or 3 line display, split times half or full lap, automatic or manual start/stop, set lap length. -iPhone: 1) Home screen also showing the app on the Apple Watch 2) Graph of the average speed in over 200 swim sessions from 12/16 to 7/20. 3) Graph of the total times in over 200 swim sessions from 12/16 to 7/20. 4) Data collected in a single swim session available for editing. ----

About

LapBuddy

Features
Read full description

LapBuddy is the lap counter and stopwatch designed for serious swimmers. Whether you're training for competition, tracking masters workouts, or coaching athletes, LapBuddy delivers professional-grade timing and analytics in a beautifully simple interface. **SMART TIMING** • Apple Watch-style analog stopwatch with dual second hands • Automatic session recovery - never lose a workout, even if you close the app • Real-time lap distribution histogram shows consistency at a glance • Precise timing with tenths of seconds for splits under 60 seconds **PERFORMANCE TRACKING** • Automatic time trial records for 50m, 100m, 200m, 500m distances • 22 achievements across speed, endurance, consistency, and volume • Lap time distribution charts with adaptive bucketing • Session-by-session analytics and trends **MULTI-ATHLETE SUPPORT** • Track multiple swimmers with separate stats and achievements • Perfect for coaches managing athletes or parents tracking kids • Configurable default athlete for quick session starts **DATA YOU CAN TRUST** • iCloud sync keeps sessions across all your devices • Export sessions with photos/videos as shareable .lapbuddyexport files • Complete backup and restore with validation • Session photos and videos with smart overlays (time + lap number) **THOUGHTFUL DESIGN** • Timeline browser with infinite scroll and calendar icons • Session notes capture insights during or after workouts • Media carousel with frosted glass overlays • State machine-driven interface prevents accidental data loss **BUILT FOR THE POOL** • Screen stays on during sessions • Haptic feedback for lap confirmation • Large, easy-to-tap buttons for poolside use • Works completely offline - no internet required LapBuddy doesn't require subscriptions, doesn't track you, and respects your privacy. Your swimming data stays yours, synced securely via your iCloud account. Perfect for competitive swimmers, masters athletes, coaches, and anyone who wants accurate lap counting with professional analytics.

Screenshots

Lap Swim4 screens
LapBuddy4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: LapBuddy at none against Lap Swim's 1. LapBuddy also leads on update cadence (monthly vs every 3 months). Lap Swim's advantage is device support (4 vs 1) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.6). On price and ads 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. Lap Swim sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. LapBuddy asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Lap Swim ships an update every 3 months, LapBuddy monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 18, 2026 and September 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Lap Swim versus LapBuddy: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLap SwimLapBuddy
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.2 (31 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews59.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings31 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — betteriPhone
Requires iOS13.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPeter KramerRouslan Zenetl

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Lap Swim

One-time1
  • upgrade from 250 laps to unlimited laps$1.99
None

LapBuddy

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Lap Swim free?
Lap Swim is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is LapBuddy free?
LapBuddy is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Lap Swim or LapBuddy have ads?
Neither Lap Swim nor LapBuddy shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Lap Swim or LapBuddy?
Lap Swim ships an update every 3 months, and LapBuddy monthly. Most recently, Lap Swim was updated on September 18, 2026 and LapBuddy on September 10, 2026.

Other comparisons