Comparison

Hik vs Epson Smart Panel

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

Head to head
About

Hik

Access live video streams from your security cameras and DVRs remotely. Review recorded footage and receive instant alerts for motion detection events. Connect to your devices globally with ease.

Highlights
  • Real-time monitoring
  • Video playback
  • Motion detection alarm notification
  • Remote camera access
  • Device management
Features
Read full description

The Hik-connect app is designed to work with Hikvision series DVRs, NVRs and IP cameras which support Cloud P2P function. It allows you to live view your cameras remotely. All you need to do is creating an account and adding device into the account, then you can enjoy the real-time video from cameras on a global scale. It also allows you to play back recorded video to search every milestone of your life. When motion detection alarm of your device triggered, you can get an instant message notification from Hik-connect app. Key Features: 1. Real-time monitoring 2. Video playback 3. Motion detection alarm notification

About

Epson Smart Panel

This app acts as a mobile command center for compatible Epson wireless printers and scanners. It allows for easy setup, monitoring, and operation of your Epson devices directly from your smartphone or tablet. Enjoy a customized and intuitive user experience with innovative action tiles and auto-configuration.

Highlights
  • Easy Wi-Fi setup for Epson products
  • Innovative action tiles for quick use
  • Auto-configuration and customization
  • Centralized support and supply ordering
  • Unified interface for printers and scanners
Read full description

Visit the website below to find products which are supported by this app. When using a printer or scanner that’s not listed on the website, please use instead Epson iPrint for printers or Document Scan for scanners. Epson Smart Panel will not be able to find or connect to your product unless it’s on the website’s list of supported products. https://support.epson.net/appinfo/smartpanel/guide/en/ High performance, easy-to-use mobile command center for your Epson wireless printer or scanner1. Easily set up, monitor and operate your Epson product from the convenience of your mobile device with this powerful new tool. - Easily set up your Epson product on your Wi-Fi - Innovative action tiles make your Epson Product simple and quick to use - Fits like a glove -- auto configuration and customization tailors the experience - Receive the support you need - register, get supplies, or find help all in one convenient place - One interface for your Epson Printers and Scanners -- auto configuration tailors the app's functions to your device. 1. Requires Epson Smart Panel app download and a compatible smart device. Data usage fees may apply. For more information please visit www.epson.com for support.

Screenshots

Hik4 screens
Epson Smart Panel3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Hik at every 8 days against Epson Smart Panel's every 6 weeks. Epson Smart Panel's advantage is review sentiment (43% vs 25%). On price, rating, ratings volume and ads 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Hik against 4.7 for Epson Smart Panel. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 172K and 406K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 25% of Hik's written reviews are positive against 43% of Epson Smart Panel's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Hik ships an update every 8 days, Epson Smart Panel every 6 weeks. Both last shipped on November 5, 2026.

Scorecard2 real differences · 9 level
Hik versus Epson Smart Panel: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHikEpson Smart Panel
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (172K ratings)4.7 (406K ratings) — better
Positive reviews24.8% of reviews43.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings172K406K — better
Update frequencyEvery 8 days — betterEvery 6 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
Best chart rank#74#25 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.016.0
Further details — not scored
Size599 MB166 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Co., Ltd.Seiko Epson Corporation

Customer experience

Hik

All ratings172,031 ratings
Positive92.3%
Neutral3.2%
Negative4.5%
Written reviews1,176 reviews
Positive24.8%
Neutral12.6%
Negative62.6%

Epson Smart Panel

All ratings388,267 ratings
Positive92.8%
Neutral2.3%
Negative4.9%
Written reviews2,753 reviews
Positive43.0%
Neutral6.6%
Negative50.4%

User reviews

Hik

From 172K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Fast and responsive
  • 🔒 Secure and reliable
  • 👍 User-friendly interface
  • 🤖 Excellent camera quality
  • 💡 Useful notification features

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent app crashes
  • 🔍 Difficult to navigate and find cameras
  • 🕰️ Slow playback and video loading
  • 🔌 Unstable network connectivity
  • 🤯 Confusing and unintuitive updates

Epson Smart Panel

From 406K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Easy to use
  • 🚀 Quick setup
  • 💡 Convenient wireless printing
  • 👍 User-friendly interface
  • 🚀 Fast printing

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Connectivity issues
  • 🐛 Unreliable app performance
  • 🐛 Printer not detected by app
  • 🐛 Printing issues
  • 🐛 Complicated setup

Bugs and requests

Hik

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Cameras randomly show as offline
  • Playback function often fails to load
  • Notifications disappear from the app
  • App fails to open after recent updates
  • Camera settings reset after app updates

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add support for portrait mode on tablets
  • Improve playback controls with fast forward/rewind
  • Allow custom naming and organization of cameras
  • Provide better notification customization options
  • Integrate with smart home automation platforms

Epson Smart Panel

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • App unable to connect to printer
  • Printing quality issues
  • Inconsistent app behavior
  • Printer not detected by app
  • Compatibility problems with iOS

Requested features

5 requests
  • Option to print actual size/100%
  • Ability to choose specific pages to print
  • Improved integration with other apps/devices
  • More customization options for printing
  • Better documentation and support

In-app purchases

None

Hik

No in-app purchases

None

Epson Smart Panel

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Hik free?
Hik is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Epson Smart Panel free?
Epson Smart Panel is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Hik or Epson Smart Panel?
Epson Smart Panel is rated higher. Hik averages 4.7 out of 5 from 172K ratings, while Epson Smart Panel averages 4.7 from 406K ratings.
Do Hik or Epson Smart Panel have ads?
Neither Hik nor Epson Smart Panel shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Hik or Epson Smart Panel?
Hik ships an update every 8 days, and Epson Smart Panel every 6 weeks. Most recently, Hik was updated on November 5, 2026 and Epson Smart Panel on November 5, 2026.
Which is more popular, Hik or Epson Smart Panel?
Hik currently peaks at #74 in the App Store charts, and Epson Smart Panel at #25. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

Other comparisons