OSCAR vs AirwayLab: Desktop Viewer or Browser Analysis
AirwayLab reads the same SD card files as OSCAR, scores each night for you, and opens the waveform behind any flag in the browser, no desktop app needed. OSCAR is a dedicated desktop viewer if that is already where you work. Here is how the two differ and how people use both.
What OSCAR Does Well
OSCAR is a mature, reliable desktop application with a loyal community and features built over many years:
- Interactive waveform browsing with zoom, pan, and event marking at breath-by-breath resolution
- Broad device support across several CPAP and BiPAP manufacturers -- see their site for your model
- Long-term historical data stored locally with trend views spanning months and years
- Detailed event logs showing individual apnea, hypopnea, and leak events on a timeline
- Active community on ApneaBoard.com with years of shared knowledge and support
OSCAR is dense at manual waveform inspection: you can zoom into a specific window and step through individual breaths one at a time. That interactive browsing is what it was built for.
What AirwayLab Adds
AirwayLab processes the same raw data and tells you what it means:
Automated Flow Limitation Scoring
Flow limitation (breaths where the airway narrows without counting as an event) is scored automatically. You get a composite score instead of visually scanning every breath yourself. See the methodology for how.
Waveform Behind Any Flag
Any night flagged for flow limitation opens straight to the flow waveform in your browser, so you can see the breaths behind the score.
Plain-Language Explanations
Every metric comes with a plain-language line on what it means and whether it matters, not just a number.
Browser-Based
No installation required. Upload your SD card from any device with a browser. All analysis runs locally -- your data never leaves your device.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | OSCAR | AirwayLab |
|---|---|---|
| Interactive waveform zoom | Yes | Viewer only |
| Devices supported | Several manufacturers | ResMed + BMC + Löwenstein Prisma Smart, growing |
| Long-term data storage | Yes | Yes, free tier |
| Flow limitation scoring | No | Yes |
| Plain-language explanation per metric | No | Yes |
| Runs in browser | No (desktop) | Yes |
| Privacy | Local files | Browser-only |
| Open-source engine | Yes | Yes (GPL-3.0) |
| Cost | Free | Free core, paid tiers for extras |
Using Both Tools Together
Plenty of people run both. A workflow that uses each for what it is quickest at:
1. Start with AirwayLab for the big picture
Upload your SD card and get your flow limitation score for the night. It tells you whether flow limitation is a problem and how severe it is.
2. Zoom into the specifics
If AirwayLab flags elevated flow limitation, open that session in the AirwayLab viewer and zoom into the waveform to see the breaths behind the score. OSCAR's desktop viewer covers the same job offline if that is already where you work.
3. Track the trend after a change
After a pressure or EPR change, monitor your AirwayLab metrics across nights. If a metric shifts, confirm it by inspecting representative waveforms. This gives you both a trend and visual verification.
When to Use Each Tool
AirwayLab fits when you...
- Want automated flow limitation analysis
- Need a quick summary without manual waveform review
- Want a plain-language explanation of each metric
- Prefer browser-based tools with no installation
- Need exportable reports for your clinician
OSCAR fits when you...
- Need to browse individual waveforms interactively
- Use a device AirwayLab does not read yet
- Want years of historical data in one view
- Prefer a desktop application
- Already know how to read flow waveforms
- Need to cross-reference machine-flagged events
Privacy
Both OSCAR and AirwayLab keep your data under your control. OSCAR stores everything locally on your computer. AirwayLab processes everything in your browser, and no data leaves your device unless you explicitly opt in to optional cloud sync.
OSCAR is open source, and AirwayLab publishes its analysis engine under GPL-3.0, so the code that reads and scores your data can be inspected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Switching is not really the choice. AirwayLab scores each night for flow limitation (breaths where the airway narrows without counting as an event) and opens the waveform behind any flag in the browser. OSCAR is a desktop viewer for interactive inspection, and it reads more devices today.
AirwayLab supports ResMed AirSense 10 and 11, AirCurve 10 and 11, BMC Luna 2 / RESmart G2 and G3, and Löwenstein Prisma Smart, and the list is growing. OSCAR supports more manufacturers today. If your device is not supported yet, the upload screen lets you tell us so we can prioritise it.
Both tools read from the same source: your CPAP or BiPAP SD card. Upload the same DATALOG folder to AirwayLab that you use with OSCAR, and each app reads it independently.
Both read the same SD card data, and AirwayLab shows the same flow waveform in the browser. OSCAR displays the raw waveform and machine-reported events. AirwayLab shows that waveform and adds computed flow limitation scores using published research methodologies.
Check your own nights
Medical Disclaimer
AirwayLab is not a medical device and is not FDA-cleared or CE-marked. It is provided for educational and informational purposes only. The analysis results should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult qualified healthcare providers regarding your sleep therapy and any changes to PAP settings.