NGO vs SmartCover
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
NGO
This app simplifies meter reading data collection and analysis in the field. It provides on-the-spot insights into water usage patterns, leak detection, and reverse flow, improving customer service and operational efficiency for utilities.
- On-site meter data collection
- Real-time data analysis
- Leak and reverse flow detection
- Customer water usage graphing
- AMI functionality in hand
- Troubleshooting usage anomalies
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ANALYZE AND PRESENT DATA AT THE SOURCE Simplify the collection of meter reading data and turn it into actionable information with the NGO™ app. This app enables your personnel to make the most of their time while in the field, providing on-the-spot analysis and presentment capabilities. Part of the enhanced R900® System, NGO leverages the detailed, accurate metering data from the E-Coder® absolute encoder register. Analyze that metering data at the source to improve your customer service as well as identify leaks and reverse flow. AUTOMATE AND OPTIMIZE YOUR FIELD OPERATIONS Neptune makes it easy for your utility to optimize workforce and operational efficiency. Running on any common iOS phone or tablet, NGO enables your field techs to collect detailed data logging information when needed during on-site customer visits. They can immediately generate graphs of a customer’s water usage patterns to show exactly when they used more water than usual or when a probable continuous leak began somewhere in their house. The graphs also provide all E-Coder alerts to further aid in troubleshooting usage anomalies. Our NGO app is easy to install and use, and immediately puts AMI functionality literally in the palm of your hand – including 96 days of hourly interval data as well as flags for leaks, tamper, and reverse flow straight from the meter. PROVIDE PROACTIVE, CONFIDENT CUSTOMER SERVICE The NGO app helps your utility save time and money, especially when it comes to saving truck rolls by allowing faster response in the field. It puts the power of Neptune’s E-Coder technology and advanced analysis into more of your utility personnel’s hands. With simplified access through the app to accurate, timely information, your personnel can take care of a customer’s water-related issue or answer a question then and there, in a single site visit. Quickly, easily, and confidently, they can inform customers of high water consumption and identify leaks and other problems much earlier, cutting weeks and possibly months in the discovery and saving customers a great deal of money in the process. All this proactivity can head off high bill complaints, reduce delinquent payments, and eliminate write-offs.
SmartCover
Monitor wastewater systems in real-time and receive immediate notifications for detected anomalies. This app helps prevent sewer spills and optimize system performance by providing remote data access and analytics.
- Real-time data access
- Anomaly detection notifications
- Wastewater spill prevention
- Remote sewer data monitoring
- Analytics for informed decisions
- Intrusion and I&I detection
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Welcome to the SmartCover Systems mobile app! Here you can access real-time data and notifications from your SmartCover Monitoring Systems. SmartCover® is a pioneering technology provider specializing in wastewater solutions that protect lives in the field, the environment, and the quality of life in communities throughout North America. SmartCover solutions gather and monitor remote sewer data, perform analytics, and enable informed decisions to stop sewer spills. In addition to preventing sewer spills, SmartCover’s suite of technology has a range of applications including the reduction of high frequency cleanings, locating infiltration and inflow (I&I), intrusion detection, and odor control. The SmartCover mobile app is an extension of the SmartCover Monitoring System platform which allows customers to view real-time data and get notified if anomaly-related events are detected by the sensors. By increasing the mobility of the platform through this mobile app, we are working hard to meet our customer's needs and increase their timeliness and effectiveness.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: SmartCover at 5.0 against NGO's 2.5. SmartCover also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 4) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 36 months). NGO's advantage is iOS requirement (12.2 vs 15.1). On price, ratings volume, ads and monetization model 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
Both are free to download. NGO sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. SmartCover asks for nothing beyond the download.
SmartCover holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 2.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 8 and 6 respectively.
NGO ships an update every 36 months, SmartCover every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | NGO | SmartCover |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 2.5 (8 ratings) | 5.0 (6 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 14.3% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 8 — better | 6 |
| Update frequency | Every 36 months | Every 2 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 12.2 — better | 15.1 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 48 MB | 58 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Neptune Technology Group | SmartCover Systems |
Customer experience
NGO
SmartCover
In-app purchases
NGO
- Data Log$9.99
- Off Cycle$9.99
- Pressure$9.99
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- Purchase All Modes$19.99
SmartCover
No in-app purchases









