# Rain Bird vs Yale Access

The clearest difference is ads: Rain Bird at none against Yale Access's shown. Rain Bird also leads on monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.6.1). Yale Access's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 2 months) and rating (4.9 vs 4.7). On price, ratings volume, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Yale Access holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 70K and 74K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 31% of Rain Bird's written reviews are positive against 41% of Yale Access's.

Rain Bird ships an update every 2 months, Yale Access fortnightly. Both last shipped on September 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Rain Bird | Yale Access |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (70K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rain-bird/id1060727082/reviews) | **[4.9 (74K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/yale-access/id1450980221/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 70K | **74K** |
| Positive reviews | 31.3% of reviews | **41.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 48 MB | 304 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 17.6.1 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Rain Bird Corporation](https://appshunter.io/developer/958281909) | [August Home, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/648730595) |

## What reviewers say

### Rain Bird

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rain-bird/id1060727082)

Control your sprinklers remotely from your mobile device. Automate watering schedules and adjust for weather conditions to conserve water and reduce costs. Compatible with various Rain Bird controller models.

**Highlights:** Remote sprinkler control, Customizable watering schedules, Automated weather adjustments, Water and money saving, Controller model compatibility

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Easy to program
- 🚀 Convenient remote control
- 👍 Versatile
- 👍 Must have
- 👍 Ease of mind

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Connectivity issues
- 🐛 Slow and clunky app
- 🐛 Date/time not updating
- 🐛 Unreliable system
- 🐛 Limited functionality

**Reported bugs**

- Constant connection errors
- App crashes frequently
- Date/time not syncing correctly
- Seasonal adjustment not working as expected
- Manual controls not functioning properly

**Requested features**

- Add water usage history and analytics
- Allow pausing of individual zones
- Improve manual control options
- Add weather integration and smart scheduling
- Improve notification system


### Yale Access

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/yale-access/id1450980221)

Control and secure your home with smart lock technology. Manage access for family and guests, receive activity alerts, and enjoy peace of mind knowing your property is protected. This app is compatible with specific Yale and August smart lock models in the US and Canada.

**Highlights:** Smart lock control, Home security management, Access for family and guests, Activity alerts, Peace of mind, Compatible with Yale and August locks

**Features:** Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Convenient keyless entry
- 🔒 Secure lock with fingerprint scanner
- 👍 Easy to set up and use
- 👍 Great for short-term rentals
- 👍 Responsive and reliable

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 App crashes and bugs
- 🔋 No battery level indicator
- 🔒 Cannot remove self as guest on others' locks
- 👎 Unreliable auto-lock/unlock feature
- 👎 Poor customer support

**Reported bugs**

- App shows incorrect lock status
- Issues with adding/deleting users
- Connectivity problems between lock and app
- Firmware updates causing functionality issues
- Incompatibility with certain devices/networks

**Requested features**

- Add battery level indicator
- Allow users to remove themselves as guests
- Improve auto-lock/unlock functionality
- Provide better integration with smart home platforms
- Enhance app UI and UX


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Rain Bird free?

Rain Bird is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Yale Access free?

Yale Access is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Rain Bird or Yale Access?

Yale Access is rated higher. Rain Bird averages 4.7 out of 5 from 70K ratings, while Yale Access averages 4.9 from 74K ratings.

### Do Rain Bird or Yale Access have ads?

Yale Access shows ads; Rain Bird does not.

### Which is updated more often, Rain Bird or Yale Access?

Rain Bird ships an update every 2 months, and Yale Access fortnightly. Most recently, Rain Bird was updated on September 24, 2026 and Yale Access on September 24, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*