# Pulse® vs Powerpal

The clearest difference is monetization model: Pulse® at free against Powerpal's free with in-app purchases. Pulse® also leads on iOS requirement (11.1 vs 15.1). Powerpal's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months). On price, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

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

Pulse® ships an update every 2 months, Powerpal every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 19, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Pulse® | Powerpal |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | **[4.6 (24 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/powerpal/id1373552942/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **24** |
| Positive reviews | 62.5% of reviews | **69.9% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 94 MB | 31 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.1** | 15.1 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [369 Labs Pty Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1527507014) | [Amber Electric Pty Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1295285141) |

## What reviewers say

### Pulse®

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pulse/id1076216161)

Gain immediate insight and control over your home's solar energy generation and electricity consumption. Track historical data, set energy goals, and forecast your electricity bills in real-time. Remotely manage connected appliances like air conditioning and lights.

**Highlights:** View solar generation and electricity consumption, Set energy goals, Track electricity bill forecast, Receive system notifications and alerts, Control appliances remotely, View historical energy data

**In-app purchases:** none


### Powerpal

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/powerpal/id1373552942)

Monitor your home's real-time energy consumption and track historical usage. Set monthly spending targets, receive alerts, and get tips to optimize energy use and save money. Integrates with time-of-use tariffs for further savings.

**Highlights:** Real-time power usage display, Historical energy consumption tracking, Monthly spend target setting, On-target and off-track alerts, Energy-saving tips, Time-of-use tariff integration

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 📊 Real-time power consumption monitoring
- 💰 Helps users reduce electricity bills
- 🎨 Intuitive and easy-to-use interface
- 📈 Multiple graph and visualization formats
- 🔧 Simple installation process

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Pairing failures with error 403
- 📱 Portrait mode only - no landscape support
- 🔋 Battery dies after 2-3 years without replacement option
- 📡 Limited Bluetooth range and connectivity issues
- ⚙️ Rigid tariff configuration options

**Reported bugs**

- Error 403 pairing failures on iOS and Android
- App crashes when entering pairing code
- Forced update screen with no skip/cancel option
- Update failures preventing app launch
- Bluetooth disconnections even when device is nearby

**Requested features**

- Landscape mode support for tablets/iPads
- Custom tariff time configuration
- WiFi connectivity for remote monitoring
- Support for multiple tariff rates (EV plans, super off-peak)
- Solar export/feed-in tracking and monitoring


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Pulse® free?

Pulse® is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Powerpal free?

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

### Do Pulse® or Powerpal have ads?

Neither Pulse® nor Powerpal shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Pulse® or Powerpal?

Pulse® ships an update every 2 months, and Powerpal every 3 weeks. Most recently, Pulse® was updated on October 7, 2026 and Powerpal on October 19, 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.*