BreathHold vs Freediving Apnea Trainer: Which App Fits Your Level?
Comparing BreathHold and Freediving Apnea Trainer — one built for advanced freedivers, the other for all skill levels. Find out which suits you.
This comparison is written by the BreathHold team. We strive for accuracy and fairness, but acknowledge our inherent bias. All data verified from public app store listings as of the publication date.
Overview
Freediving Apnea Trainer is a technically-focused app designed for intermediate and advanced freedivers who want granular control over their training tables. BreathHold takes a broader approach, combining apnea training with general breathwork in an interface designed for all skill levels.
These two apps serve different audiences, and understanding where each excels will help you make the right choice.
At a Glance
| Feature | BreathHold | Freediving Apnea Trainer |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | iOS & Android | iOS & Android |
| CO2 Tables | ||
| O2 Tables | ||
| Custom / Editable Tables | ||
| Editable Templates | ||
| Contraction Marking | ||
| Square Breath Hold Coaching | ||
| Box Breathing | ||
| 4-7-8 Breathing | ||
| Rectangular Breathing | ||
| Video Tutorials | ||
| Audio Guidance | ||
| Progress Tracking | ||
| Target Audience | All levels | Intermediate/Advanced |
| App Store Rating | 5.0★ (1 review) | 4.7★ (268 reviews) |
What Freediving Apnea Trainer Does Well
Freediving Apnea Trainer
Pros
- Advanced editable templates for full table customization
- Contraction marking during holds — valuable for tracking adaptation
- Square breath hold coaching technique
- Designed by freedivers for freedivers
- Deep technical control over training parameters
- Minimal bloat — focused purely on apnea performance
Cons
- Steeper learning curve for newcomers
- No general breathing exercises (box, 4-7-8, etc.)
- Interface prioritizes function over aesthetics
- Less guidance for beginners getting started
What BreathHold Does Well
BreathHold
Pros
- Accessible to complete beginners through video tutorials
- Broad exercise library: apnea + breathwork techniques
- Clean, intuitive interface with clear progression
- Audio guidance makes sessions easy to follow
- Box breathing and 4-7-8 for relaxation and recovery
- Progress tracking across all exercise types
Cons
- No contraction marking feature
- No editable templates for advanced table customization
- Less granular control for experienced freedivers
- Square breath hold coaching not available
Detailed Breakdown
Technical Depth
Freediving Apnea Trainer shines here. The ability to mark contractions during holds is genuinely useful for tracking your body's adaptation over time. Editable templates give experienced divers precise control over timing, repetitions, and progression. If you know exactly what kind of table you want to run, this app gets out of your way and lets you build it.
Beginner Accessibility
BreathHold is significantly more approachable for newcomers. Video tutorials explain technique, the interface guides you through exercises step by step, and you don't need to understand table theory to get started. The app generates appropriate tables based on your current level.
Exercise Variety
BreathHold offers breathing exercises beyond apnea — box breathing for focus, 4-7-8 for sleep, rectangular breathing for customized patterns. These complement apnea training and serve users who want breathwork for wellness, not just diving performance.
Freediving Apnea Trainer stays laser-focused on apnea performance, which is a strength for its target audience but limits its versatility.
Contraction Tracking
This is a feature unique to Freediving Apnea Trainer in this comparison. Marking when contractions begin during a hold gives you objective data about your CO2 tolerance progression. It's a feature advanced practitioners will appreciate that BreathHold doesn't currently offer.
Who Should Choose What?
Choose Freediving Apnea Trainer if you're an intermediate or advanced freediver who wants granular control over your training tables, contraction tracking, and a no-frills technical tool. You likely already understand apnea theory and want an app that respects that.
Choose BreathHold if you're starting your breath hold journey, want both apnea training and general breathwork, or prefer a guided experience with video tutorials. Also the better choice if you want one app for both performance training and daily wellness breathing.
Depends on experience level
Freediving Trainer wins on technical depth; BreathHold wins on accessibility and exercise varietyFreediving Apnea Trainer is the stronger choice for experienced freedivers who want technical control and contraction tracking. BreathHold is better for beginners, all-rounders, and anyone wanting breathwork beyond pure apnea.
Ratings as of April 2026, verified on App Store and Google Play. Features compared based on publicly available information from app store listings and official websites.
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