Head-to-Head

MultiDeco vs Dive Kit

Same algorithm. Different decade.

Both apps run Bühlmann ZH-L16C with adjustable gradient factors, and Dive Kit's deco engine is cross-validated against MultiDeco across standard profiles. The difference isn't the math, it's everything around it: how you enter data, manage gases, read the schedule, and share the plan with your buddy.

MultiDeco deco table screenshot showing plain text columns for depth, stop, run, mix, pO2, and EAD

MultiDeco

Dive Kit deco table screenshot showing named plan, contingency tabs, dive profile graph and color-coded schedule

Dive Kit (2026)

The Common Ground

Same Algorithm. Verified.

Before the differences, here's what's identical.

Bühlmann ZH-L16C

Sixteen tissue compartments with adjustable Gradient Factors (default 50/80). The same model used by Shearwater, Garmin, and most modern tech-diving computers.

Cross-validated against MultiDeco

Dive Kit's deco engine has been verified against MultiDeco across open-circuit and CCR profiles, including trimix, lost-gas contingencies, and oxygen-break protocols.

Same 16-compartment model

Dive Kit uses the full ZH-L16C 16-tissue model, not a simplified table, so tissue loadings track the way technical divers expect.

If you trust MultiDeco's numbers, you can trust Dive Kit's. The math is the same, choose the app whose workflow fits how you actually plan dives.

Se genomgången av motorn och hela MultiDeco-valideringen

What Actually Changes Between Them

Side-by-side, point by point.

01

Data entry

MultiDeco uses a column of scroll-wheels, pick depth, time, O₂, He one digit at a time. Dive Kit uses native labelled inputs and shows END, gas density, and PPO₂ live as you type, so you catch a bad mix before you save it.

MultiDeco wheel-picker form for entering a new dive level

MultiDeco

Dive Kit dive profile entry form with depth, time and gas selectors plus live PPO2, END, and density readoutsDive Kit dive profile entry form with depth, time and gas selectors plus live PPO2, END, and density readouts

Dive Kit

02

Inputs and results, on the same screen

MultiDeco mixes gases and dive segments into one flat list, then sends you to a separate Calculate screen. Dive Kit splits Gases and Dive Profile into two cards on a single screen, with the live Runtime / TTS / safety status pinned to the bottom, so editing a level updates the verdict instantly.

MultiDeco main configure screen with mixed list of gases and dive levels

MultiDeco

Dive Kit main planner screen showing Gases card, Dive Profile card, and live status bar

Dive Kit

03

Reading the deco schedule

MultiDeco prints a plain text table with depth, stop, run, mix, pO₂ and EAD columns. Dive Kit gives the plan a name, plots the dive profile, lays the contingency tabs across the top, colour-codes warnings, and lets you toggle PPO₂ and CNS columns on demand.

MultiDeco profile #1 plain text deco schedule

MultiDeco

Dive Kit deco table with named plan, contingency tabs, profile graph, and color-coded schedule columns

Dive Kit

04

Plan summary

MultiDeco hands you a textual report, CNS, OTU, decozone, gas density, gas usage. Dive Kit lays the same metrics in a card grid (TTS, RT, AP, CNS, OTU, Density), each cell showing the delta against the base plan so you can see the cost of any contingency at a glance.

MultiDeco textual report listing CNS, OTU, decozone, gas density and gas usage

MultiDeco

Dive Kit Plan Summary card grid with TTS, RT, AP, CNS, OTU, and density values plus deltas vs base

Dive Kit

05

Per-cylinder gas consumption

Only Dive Kit. Each cylinder gets a colour-coded usage bar, used vs remaining bar and litres, recalculated for every contingency scenario, with explicit warnings for low-gas, gas density, and END limits.

Dive Kit only
Dive Kit gas consumption screen showing per-cylinder usage bars with low-gas, gas density, and END warnings
06

Plan issues, surfaced

Only Dive Kit. A dedicated Plan Issues sheet flags every safety concern, gas density above 6.2 g/L, END over 30 m, low gas reserves, narcosis, and hypoxia risk, colour-coded by severity. MultiDeco surfaces gas density and CNS only as numbers in the report.

Dive Kit only
Dive Kit Plan Issues sheet showing gas density critical, END exceeds 30m, and low gas warnings
07

Contingencies and plan variants

Dive Kit auto-generates contingency tabs (+3 m, +5 m, +3 min, +5 min, lost deco, buddy gas sharing, bailout) and lets you create named variants like "Longer Bottom" to compare side-by-side. MultiDeco supports multi-dive sequences but doesn't put contingencies one tap away.

Dive Kit only
Dive Kit Plan Summary with contingency selector pills and delta-vs-base values
Dive Kit plan with named variant Longer Bottom selected, showing combined contingency + variant deltas
08

Sharing the plan

Dive Kit shares plans via URL or QR code, your buddy scans, sees the full plan in any browser. The Slate Export renders a printable image sized for an underwater wrist slate, with optional PPO₂ and CNS columns. MultiDeco offers Copy to clipboard and Print.

Dive Kit only
Dive Kit Share sheet with QR code for buddy plan sharing
Dive Kit Export Slate sheet with contingency selector and printable underwater slate preview
09

Companion tools

MultiDeco's Tools tab is a list of mixers (configure, nitrox, trimix, top-up, fill capacity) and EAD/MOD. Dive Kit ships 11+ tools, Best Mix, Gas Specs, Gas Usage, SAC/RMV, Buoyancy, Converter, Blender, Mix Result, Cylinders, Dive Signals, each with its own onboarding tutorial.

MultiDeco Tools tab listing mixer functions and EAD/MOD

MultiDeco

Dive Kit Plan dashboard with card grid for Best Mix, Gas Specs, Gas Usage, SAC/RMV, Buoyancy, Converter, Blender, and Mix Result

Dive Kit

10

Platform & price

MultiDeco is a macOS / Windows / Linux / iOS / iPadOS / Android desktop-style app, sold per platform (≈$49 each). Dive Kit is iOS + Android only, $24.99 lifetime or $4.99/month for the Deco Planner, every other tool is free, every update included.

Feature-by-feature

Honest both ways. Every notable difference, in one table.

Feature Dive Kit MultiDeco
Bühlmann ZH-L16C Yes Yes
Gradient Factors Yes Yes
VPM-B algorithm No Yes
Multi-level profiles Yes Yes
Multi-gas with auto-switching Yes Yes
CCR / bailout planning Yes Yes
Contingency tabs (+depth/+time/lost gas) Yes Partial
Named plan variants Yes No
Dive profile graph Yes Yes
Unified gas list (separate from profile) Yes No
Live END / density / PPO₂ on input Yes No
Plan Issues sheet (warnings panel) Yes No
Per-cylinder consumption bars Yes Partial
Automatic oxygen breaks during deco Yes No
QR / URL plan sharing Yes No
Underwater slate export image Yes Partial
Built-in algorithm tutorials Yes No
Companion planning tools 11+ ~5
Repetitive dive planning Yes Yes
Works 100% offline Yes Yes
Platforms iOS · Android macOS · Win · Linux · iOS · Android
Price $24.99 lifetime ≈$49 mobile · ~$90 desktop

Frequently asked questions

MultiDeco vs Dive Kit, the questions tech divers ask most.

Do MultiDeco and Dive Kit use the same decompression algorithm?

Yes. Both use Bühlmann ZH-L16C with adjustable Gradient Factors (default 50/80). Dive Kit's deco engine has been cross-validated against MultiDeco across open-circuit and CCR profiles, including trimix, lost-gas contingencies, and oxygen-break protocols.

What is the main difference between MultiDeco and Dive Kit?

The math is the same, the workflow is what changes. Dive Kit uses labelled native inputs with live END / gas density / PPO₂ feedback as you type, splits gases and dive profile into separate cards, surfaces a Plan Issues sheet for safety warnings, shows per-cylinder gas consumption bars, lets you save named plan variants, and shares plans via QR code or URL. MultiDeco uses a wheel-picker entry style and a desktop-style report layout.

Is Dive Kit cheaper than MultiDeco?

Yes. Dive Kit's Deco Planner is $24.99 lifetime or $4.99/month with the first month free. MultiDeco is approximately $49 on iOS/Android, with a separate desktop edition (Windows, Linux, macOS) at roughly $90 for all three. Dive Kit also includes 11+ free companion tools (Best Mix, Gas Blender, SAC/RMV, Buoyancy, Converter, Mix Result, Cylinders, Dive Signals, and more), MultiDeco bundles a smaller mixer toolset.

Does MultiDeco support VPM-B?

Yes. MultiDeco offers VPM-B as an alternative to Bühlmann ZH-L16C with Gradient Factors. Dive Kit is currently Bühlmann-only, if you specifically need VPM-B, MultiDeco remains the right choice.

Can I share dive plans from MultiDeco or Dive Kit?

Dive Kit shares plans via QR code or URL. The link loads straight into your buddy's Dive Kit app, every contingency scenario, profile graph, gas usage, and warning. If they don't have Dive Kit installed, the same link opens a full web plan viewer in any browser. Slate Export renders a printable image for an underwater wrist slate. MultiDeco offers Copy to Clipboard and Print.

Which platforms does each app run on?

MultiDeco runs on macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, iPadOS, and Android. Dive Kit runs on iOS and Android (with a web plan viewer for shared plans). Neither requires an internet connection at runtime, both calculate fully offline.

Are Dive Kit's calculations as trustworthy as MultiDeco's?

Yes. The underlying model, 16 tissue compartments with Gradient Factors, is identical, and Dive Kit's deco engine has been cross-validated against MultiDeco across standard scenarios. Divers who currently trust MultiDeco can use Dive Kit's output with the same confidence for the profiles within that validated scope.

Does Dive Kit support CCR / rebreather diving?

Yes. Dive Kit ships full CCR decompression planning with configurable setpoints, diluent management, O₂ + diluent cylinder tracking, and automatic OC bailout scenarios with worst-case failure-point calculation. MultiDeco also supports CCR.

Which has a better safety-warning system?

Dive Kit lifts safety concerns into a dedicated Plan Issues sheet sorted by severity: critical (red) for gas density above 6.2 g/L and hypoxia; caution (amber) for END > 30 m, low-gas reserves, CNS / OTU caution. Each issue is recalculated for every contingency scenario. MultiDeco surfaces gas density, CNS and OTU as numbers in its textual report.

About this comparison

MultiDeco is a product of HHS Software. Screenshots are reproduced under nominative fair use for the purpose of feature comparison. All trademarks belong to their respective owners. Comparison reflects publicly available app behaviour and pricing as of early 2026, features change; please verify against the current version of each app before making a purchase decision.

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