# CBP ROAM vs PADI

The clearest difference is rating: PADI at 4.9 against CBP ROAM's 3.3. PADI also leads on review sentiment (55% vs 27%) and ratings volume (46K vs 125). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

PADI holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 3.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: PADI has 46K ratings behind it against 125, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 27% of CBP ROAM's written reviews are positive against 55% of PADI's.

CBP ROAM ships an update every 3 weeks, PADI fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | CBP ROAM | PADI |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.3 (125 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cbp-roam/id1263234017/reviews) | **[4.9 (46K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/padi/id1490797188/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 125 | **46K** |
| Positive reviews | 26.5% of reviews | **54.6% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 231 MB | 200 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.2 | **14.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [US Customs and Border Protection](https://appshunter.io/developer/948812863) | [PADI Americas, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/416901045) |

## What reviewers say

### CBP ROAM

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cbp-roam/id1263234017)

This app allows pleasure boaters and eligible travelers arriving at remote locations to report their arrival online. It facilitates trip creation and may offer video inspections with a CBP Officer for eligible users.

**Highlights:** Online arrival reporting, Create trip details, Add travelers, Specify mode of travel, Report location, Video inspection eligibility, Push notifications for video chat

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Simplifies entry process
- 👍 Works well when functional
- 👍 Good for local boaters
- 👍 Video chat clearing works well
- 👍 Easy to use

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashes frequently
- 🐛 App will not open
- 🐛 Login issues
- 🐛 Update issues
- 🐛 Not supported/removed from AppStore

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes after update
- App will not open
- App crashes within one second of opening
- App closes immediately after opening
- App not letting user login

**Requested features**

- Add port of call button
- Allow letters in flight number
- Allow copy-paste for numbers
- Allow sharing travelers between users
- Add more instructions for numbers needed


### PADI

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/padi/id1490797188)

This app provides comprehensive scuba diving resources, allowing users to learn, log dives offline, verify certifications, and discover new adventures. Stay connected with the diving community and book your next underwater experience.

**Highlights:** Online and offline learning, Offline dive logging, Certification verification, Inspiration from divers and pros, Book diving adventures

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Wallet, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Convenient to have all dive info in one spot
- 🚀 Great for learning and revisiting hand signals
- 👍 Helpful for organizing PADI certifications
- 👍 Fantastic time for Discover Scuba Diving
- 👍 User friendly app for eStudy course

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Buttons don't work, inconsistent functionality
- 🐛 Logbook doesn't work, can't log dives
- 🐛 eCards get deleted, can't access offline
- 💰 Expensive eCards, should be included
- 🐛 Dive log data gets lost or doesn't sync

**Reported bugs**

- Account setup failed
- eCards don't download or display properly
- Dive log data disappears or doesn't save
- Inconsistent display of certifications
- Dive site search doesn't work

**Requested features**

- Allow mixing of metric and imperial units
- Customize order of certifications on home page
- Integrate with dive computers and upload profiles
- Add custom checklists, equipment tracking
- Integrate with Apple Wallet for eCards


## Frequently asked questions

### Is CBP ROAM free?

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

### Is PADI free?

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

### Which has better reviews, CBP ROAM or PADI?

PADI is rated higher. CBP ROAM averages 3.3 out of 5 from 125 ratings, while PADI averages 4.9 from 46K ratings.

### Do CBP ROAM or PADI have ads?

Neither CBP ROAM nor PADI shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, CBP ROAM or PADI?

CBP ROAM ships an update every 3 weeks, and PADI fortnightly. Most recently, CBP ROAM was updated on September 24, 2026 and PADI on September 25, 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.*