Comparison

SmartApfel vs TechPulse by CNET Group

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

Head to head
About

SmartApfel

Stay updated on Apple HomeKit and Matter smart home technology. Get the latest news, device information, automation ideas, and warnings about problematic firmware updates. Perfect for both beginners and experienced users.

Highlights
  • Latest news on HomeKit & Matter
  • Device overview
  • Automation examples
  • Firmware update warnings
  • Beginner-friendly information
Features
Read full description

SmartApfel is your source for the latest information and tips about Apple HomeKit & Matter. We not only provide you with all kinds of news, but also show you all available devices. Do you always want to be at the forefront or would you rather be on the safe side? We inform you about new features and warn you about firmware updates that you should rather not install. You need inspiration for new automations? Then we have more than 100 examples for you. Are you still wondering whether HomeKit is right for you or have you recently bought your first device? Even beginners don't miss out with us. With our app, you'll always have us with you and be one of the first to learn about news in the Apple HomeKit & Matter world. No matter if you want to browse through the device overview on the train or if you don't want to miss the latest news: The SmartApfel app is your constant companion! In our imprint you will also find the terms of use for the tip box: https://smartapfel.de/imprint/

About

TechPulse by CNET Group

Stay informed with the latest tech news, expert reviews, and product recommendations. Make smarter purchasing decisions with in-depth analysis and video guides. Get breaking alerts and discover the best deals on technology.

Highlights
  • Featured tech stories
  • Latest technology news coverage
  • Product review galleries
  • Breaking news alerts
  • Extensive product reviews
  • Best product recommendations
  • Product search functionality
  • Video product reviews
Features
Read full description

TechPulse helps tech enthusiasts follow trusted industry insights with a customizable, algorithm-free feed. Welcome to the new CNET app. TechPulse gathers world-class journalism from the internet’s most respected technology and lifestyle publishers. Instead of managing multiple sources or fighting unpredictable feeds, you can customize your daily dashboard to display exactly what matters to you. Stay informed with unbiased video, analysis, news and reviews curated by human experts. Main features: • Filter the publication sources you want to appear in your unified feed for easy navigation. • Make tech buying easy with lab-tested reviews from CNET and PCMag experts. • Get the latest breaking tech news from reporters who share objective takes on what you need to know. • Stay ahead of internet innovations with trending digital culture and entertainment news from Mashable. • Streamline your daily routine and unlock practical hacks and science-based productivity tips from Lifehacker. • Track disruptive professional tech breakthroughs and emerging industry trends from ZDNET. • Get the most from your tech and gadgets with CNET’s product updates and troubleshooting guides. TechPulse is built for readers who value journalistic integrity and direct sources over cluttered news streams. Backed by decades of independent editorial experience from trusted industry names, TechPulse is built for readers who value journalistic integrity and direct sources over cluttered news streams. Your feed remains transparent, accurate and free of bias. Download TechPulse today to control your technology news and explore what matters to you. Our Privacy Policy: https://www.ziffdavis.com/ztg-privacy-policy Our Terms of Use: https://www.ziffdavis.com/terms-of-use

Screenshots

SmartApfel4 screens
TechPulse by CNET Group4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: SmartApfel at 65% against TechPulse by CNET Group's 17%. SmartApfel also leads on ads (none vs shown). TechPulse by CNET Group's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 5) and ratings volume (3.4K vs 7). On price, update cadence, device support and iOS requirement 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. SmartApfel sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $1.49 per month. TechPulse by CNET Group asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

TechPulse by CNET Group holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: TechPulse by CNET Group has 3.4K ratings behind it against 7, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 65% of SmartApfel's written reviews are positive against 17% of TechPulse by CNET Group's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SmartApfel ships an update fortnightly, TechPulse by CNET Group monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 30, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
SmartApfel versus TechPulse by CNET Group: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSmartApfelTechPulse by CNET Group
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (7 ratings)4.3 (3.4K ratings) — better
Positive reviews64.5% of reviews — better17.2% of reviews
Number of ratings73.4K — better
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterMonthly
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesAd-supported — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV — better
Requires iOS15.0 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size26 MB53 MB
Age rating12+17+
Developeracasa Software GmbHCNET Media, Inc.

Customer experience

SmartApfel

All ratings7 ratings
Positive71.4%
Neutral0.0%
Negative28.6%
Written reviews31 reviews
Positive64.5%
Neutral3.2%
Negative32.3%

TechPulse by CNET Group

All ratings3,442 ratings
Positive83.1%
Neutral3.7%
Negative13.1%
Written reviews180 reviews
Positive17.2%
Neutral13.3%
Negative69.4%

Bugs and requests

SmartApfel

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

TechPulse by CNET Group

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Crashes and freezes frequently
  • Notifications don't lead to the correct article
  • Videos fail to load consistently
  • Login issues and account syncing problems

Requested features

4 requests
  • Ability to filter content by category
  • Improved search functionality
  • Better organization and navigation
  • Syncing of bookmarked articles across devices

In-app purchases

5 purchases

SmartApfel

Subscriptions2
  • Small coffee (monthly)$1.491 Month
  • Large coffee (monthly)$3.491 Month
One-time3
  • Espresso$0.99
  • Cup of coffee$1.99
  • Pot of coffee$3.99
None

TechPulse by CNET Group

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SmartApfel free?
SmartApfel is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is TechPulse by CNET Group free?
TechPulse by CNET Group is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, SmartApfel or TechPulse by CNET Group?
TechPulse by CNET Group is rated higher. SmartApfel averages 4.0 out of 5 from 7 ratings, while TechPulse by CNET Group averages 4.3 from 3.4K ratings.
Do SmartApfel or TechPulse by CNET Group have ads?
TechPulse by CNET Group shows ads; SmartApfel does not.
Which is updated more often, SmartApfel or TechPulse by CNET Group?
SmartApfel ships an update fortnightly, and TechPulse by CNET Group monthly. Most recently, SmartApfel was updated on September 30, 2026 and TechPulse by CNET Group on October 1, 2026.

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