# Nitrox Buddy vs Scuba Dive Signals

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Scuba Dive Signals at none against Nitrox Buddy's 1. Scuba Dive Signals also leads on iOS requirement (15.0 vs 26.0). Nitrox Buddy's advantage is ratings volume (468 vs 3) and update cadence (every 7 months vs every 42 months). On price, rating, review sentiment and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Nitrox Buddy sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Scuba Dive Signals asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for Nitrox Buddy against 5.0 for Scuba Dive Signals. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Nitrox Buddy has 468 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 96% of Nitrox Buddy's written reviews are positive against 100% of Scuba Dive Signals's.

Nitrox Buddy ships an update every 7 months, Scuba Dive Signals every 42 months. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Nitrox Buddy | Scuba Dive Signals |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.9 (468 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nitrox-buddy/id572411073/reviews) | **[5.0 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/scuba-dive-signals/id1483856571/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **468** | 3 |
| Positive reviews | 95.7% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 7 months** | Every 42 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 6 MB | 3 MB |
| Requires iOS | 26.0 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Gereon Steffens](https://appshunter.io/developer/493030228) | [Eric Hamiter](https://appshunter.io/developer/1482332471) |

## What reviewers say

### Nitrox Buddy

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nitrox-buddy/id572411073)

This application serves as a straightforward calculator for nitrox and enriched air divers. It quickly computes essential dive data such as Maximum Operating Depth (MOD), Equivalent Air Depth (EAD), Best Mix, and Partial Pressure of Oxygen (PPO2). It supports both imperial and metric units and offers a companion watch app for on-the-go calculations.

**Highlights:** Calculate MOD, EAD, Best Mix, PPO2, Imperial and metric unit support, Sea and fresh water options, Selectable max oxygen content, Selectable max partial pressure, Companion watch app

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Tip | $0.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 🚀 Quick calculations
- ✅ Accurate results
- 💡 Free to use
- 🎯 Essential for Nitrox divers

**What reviewers complain about**

- 📱 Ugly iPad icon
- ⚠️ MOD calculation limited to 40% O2 in older versions
- ⚠️ MOD calculation limited to 50% O2 in older versions
- ⚠️ Needs to work with older iOS versions

**Reported bugs**

- iPad icon is ugly
- MOD limit of 50% O2 despite 100% O2 setting (resolved)
- MOD limit of 40% O2 (older version)
- Does not work with older iOS versions

**Requested features**

- Add MOD 1.5 option
- Allow MOD calculation up to 100% O2 and indicate max exposure duration
- Change color for inappropriate mixes (e.g., 50% at 40m)
- Support older iOS versions (5 & 6)


### Scuba Dive Signals

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/scuba-dive-signals/id1483856571)

Access a comprehensive list of underwater hand signals for safe scuba diving communication. Includes a quiz feature to test your knowledge of signals recognized by major training agencies.

**Highlights:** List of recognized dive hand signals, Signals from PADI, NAUI, SSI, Quiz feature to test knowledge, Safety communication focus, Creative Commons licensed images

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Nitrox Buddy free?

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

### Is Scuba Dive Signals free?

Scuba Dive Signals is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Nitrox Buddy or Scuba Dive Signals?

Scuba Dive Signals is rated higher. Nitrox Buddy averages 4.9 out of 5 from 468 ratings, while Scuba Dive Signals averages 5.0 from 3 ratings.

### Do Nitrox Buddy or Scuba Dive Signals have ads?

Neither Nitrox Buddy nor Scuba Dive Signals shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Nitrox Buddy or Scuba Dive Signals?

Nitrox Buddy ships an update every 7 months, and Scuba Dive Signals every 42 months. Most recently, Nitrox Buddy was updated on September 25, 2026 and Scuba Dive Signals 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.*