Comparison

ZDive vs Dive Toolbox

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

Head to head
About

ZDive

This app transforms your Apple Watch into a professional dive companion, offering real-time tracking, decompression algorithms, and advanced analytics. Plan your dives, optimize gas mixtures, and manage your diver profile with comprehensive tools for both recreational and technical diving.

Highlights
  • Real-time dive tracking
  • Decompression algorithms
  • Dive planning suite
  • Breathing trainer
  • Live Activities & Widgets
  • CloudKit backup and sync
Features
Read full description

ZDive transforms your Apple Watch into a smart dive companion with comprehensive iOS analytics. Whether you're snorkeling in tropical waters or logging recreational scuba dives, ZDive provides the tools you need for safe and memorable underwater adventures. APPLE WATCH — YOUR DIVE COMPANION Real-time dive tracking with automatic water submersion detection on Apple Watch Ultra (manual controls on other models) Rich sensor integration: depth, temperature, heart rate, compass, ambient pressure Scuba and snorkeling modes with Digital Crown navigation Industry-standard Bühlmann ZH-L16C decompression algorithm — the same model used by leading dive computers Real-time NDL calculations and safety stop monitoring Dive simulation mode: practice with realistic training scenarios Crash-safe recording: in-progress dives are checkpointed and automatically recovered GPS route tracking with breadcrumb trails Altitude diving support with automatic calibration Note: due to Apple's current API restrictions, live depth readings on Apple Watch are limited to about 6 meters. Deeper dives recorded with Apple's Depth app can be imported via HealthKit for full analysis. iOS APP — ADVANCED ANALYTICS & PLANNING Beautiful dive trends dashboard with period comparisons and personal records Interactive dive profile charts and sensor data visualization Diver profile with certifications and emergency contacts Import historical dives from Apple Health — duplicates are detected automatically Export dives in JSON and UDDF formats for other dive log software COMPREHENSIVE DIVE PLANNING SUITE Multi-Day Trip Planner with surface interval calculations Gas Planning Calculator: SAC rates, Nitrox optimizer, and a Trimix reference calculator Equipment Packing Lists with pre-built templates No-Decompression Planner with altitude compensation Interactive Decompression Tables: Bühlmann and PADI RDP PROFESSIONAL BREATHING TRAINER 10 breathing techniques: box breathing, 4-7-8, diaphragmatic Freediving-specific CO2 and O2 tolerance tables Wim Hof Method and tactical breathing patterns LIVE ACTIVITIES & WIDGETS Real-time tissue loading on Lock Screen and Dynamic Island No-fly time countdowns with maximum altitude restrictions Surface interval tracking between dives SAFETY & RELIABILITY 16-compartment tissue tracking with 6 conservatism levels Configurable safety stops (3–6 m depth, 3–7 minutes) Ascent rate monitoring with visual and haptic warnings Sensor data validation to filter spikes and false readings Automatic CloudKit backup and sync across devices Offline functionality with background synchronization SEAMLESS DATA MANAGEMENT Fast Watch-to-iPhone sync with optimized compression HealthKit integration for comprehensive health tracking Manual and automatic sync options with bulk import/export Try it instantly with a built-in demo dive — no gear required MULTI-LANGUAGE SUPPORT Available in English, Turkish, Chinese (Simplified), Russian, Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese, Arabic, French, Hindi, Bengali SUPPORTED DEVICES Apple Watch running watchOS 10.6 or later (Series 6 and later, SE, and Ultra) Apple Watch Ultra recommended: automatic submersion detection and enhanced diving sensors iPhone with iOS 17.6 or later, full iPad support for planning and analysis ZDive is free to use and supported by ads. Whether you're exploring coral reefs on a snorkel or logging recreational scuba dives, ZDive provides professional-grade planning and analysis tools in an intuitive interface. Note: ZDive is intended for recreational use as a dive companion and tracker, not as a certified dive computer. Always dive with certified diving equipment and follow proper safety protocols. Never rely solely on consumer devices for critical diving decisions. Join ZDive to enhance your underwater adventures. Dive deeper, plan smarter, and explore safely with ZDive.

About

Dive Toolbox

Features
Read full description

DiveToolbox — Professional dive planning and gas calculation tools for recreational and technical divers. DECOMPRESSION DIVE PLANNER Plan single-level and multi-level dives using the Bühlmann ZH-L16C algorithm with configurable gradient factors. Get detailed ascent profiles, gas switch schedules, and comprehensive safety analysis including CNS, OTU, gas density, and END monitoring. GAS BLENDING CALCULATOR Step-by-step fill instructions for Nitrox and Trimix blending. Supports partial pressure and continuous flow methods with real-time MOD calculations. MOD / EAD / END CALCULATOR Instantly calculate Maximum Operating Depth, Equivalent Air Depth, and Equivalent Narcotic Depth for any gas mix. GRADIENT FACTORS EXPLORER Visualize how GF Low and GF High affect no-decompression limits and decompression schedules. SAC RATE CALCULATOR Calculate your Surface Air Consumption rate from dive data to improve gas planning accuracy. ROCK BOTTOM CALCULATOR Determine minimum gas reserves for safe ascent, including emergency scenarios with configurable safety margins. SUCCESSIVE DIVE PLANNER Plan repetitive dives accounting for residual nitrogen and helium tissue loading from previous dives. UNIT CONVERSIONS Convert between metric and imperial units for depth, pressure, volume, and temperature. KEY FEATURES • Multi-gas support with automatic deco gas switching • Save and organize dive plans in folders • Save tank presets for quick planning • Share plans via link or QR code • Export plans as PDF • Customizable diver profile (GF, SAC, PPO2, speeds) • Dark and light themes • Available in 7 languages: English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Polish, Russian Terms of Use: https://divetoolbox.com/en/terms Privacy Policy: https://divetoolbox.com/en/privacy

Screenshots

ZDive4 screens
Dive Toolbox4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: ZDive at none against Dive Toolbox's 2. Dive Toolbox's advantage is iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.6). On price, update cadence, ads 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. Dive Toolbox sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. ZDive asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ZDive ships an update every 4 days, Dive Toolbox every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
ZDive versus Dive Toolbox: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterZDiveDive Toolbox
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (3 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings3 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 4 days — betterEvery 6 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS17.615.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size17 MB33 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperZYORK SOFTWARE LLCOnosia

In-app purchases

None

ZDive

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Dive Toolbox

Subscriptions1
  • Premium Monthly7 Days trial$5.991 Month
One-time1
  • Premium Lifetime$24.99

Questions

Is ZDive free?
ZDive is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Dive Toolbox free?
Dive Toolbox is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do ZDive or Dive Toolbox have ads?
Neither ZDive nor Dive Toolbox shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ZDive or Dive Toolbox?
ZDive ships an update every 4 days, and Dive Toolbox every 6 days. Most recently, ZDive was updated on September 25, 2026 and Dive Toolbox on September 24, 2026.

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