# Ember vs Pentair Pool

The clearest difference is rating: Pentair Pool at 4.7 against Ember's 3.3. Pentair Pool also leads on review sentiment (30% vs 18%) and device support (4 vs 1). On price, update cadence, 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.

Pentair Pool holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 7.5K and 24K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 18% of Ember's written reviews are positive against 30% of Pentair Pool's.

Ember ships an update every 2 months, Pentair Pool monthly. Both last shipped on October 21, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Ember | Pentair Pool |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.3 (7.5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ember-temperature-control/id1147470931/reviews) | **[4.7 (24K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pentair-pool/id1448665466/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 7.5K | **24K** |
| Positive reviews | 17.7% of reviews | **29.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 63 MB | 149 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.6 | **15.1** |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Ember Technologies Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1063861447) | [Pentair, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/528391851) |

## What reviewers say

### Ember

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ember-temperature-control/id1147470931)

This app allows you to precisely control the temperature of your hot beverages using a smart mug. Customize presets, receive notifications when your drink reaches the perfect temperature, and explore recipes. Personalize your mug settings for an enhanced drinking experience.

**Highlights:** Precise temperature control, Save temperature presets, Beverage recipes and blogs, Customizable notifications, Manage multiple mugs, Personalize mug settings

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- ⭐ Keeps drink at perfect temperature
- 🍵 Great for tea and coffee drinkers
- 🎨 Customizable LED light colors
- 🔋 Decent battery life when used properly
- 🤖 Apple Watch app integration

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔌 Requires frequent charging and docking
- 🔒 Forced account creation and login
- 🔄 Unreliable Bluetooth connectivity
- 🐛 Buggy app with frequent issues
- 🤔 Confusing app UI and controls

**Reported bugs**

- App frequently logs users out
- Mug disconnects from app randomly
- Firmware update process often fails
- App doesn't always detect liquid in mug
- Presets and settings get lost after updates

**Requested features**

- Battery level indicator on main screen
- Improved Apple Watch app functionality
- Wireless charging option
- Ability to lock temperature settings
- Automatic temperature adjustment based on volume


### Pentair Pool

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pentair-pool/id1448665466)

Manage your swimming pool system, monitor water chemistry, and receive instant status updates from a single dashboard. Control connected Pentair pool devices remotely for energy efficiency and peace of mind. Receive alerts for equipment or pool conditions to avoid costly service calls.

**Highlights:** Remote pool system control, Water chemistry monitoring, Instant status updates, 24/7 device monitoring, Equipment alerts, Energy-efficient solutions

**Features:** Apple Watch app

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Easy to use
- 👍 Intuitive interface
- 📊 Good data and monitoring features
- 💡 Helpful customer support

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Bugs and glitches
- 🔌 Connectivity issues
- 🔒 Limited user permissions and control
- 🤯 Frustrating setup and migration process

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes and freezes
- Inaccurate sensor readings
- Scheduling and automation issues
- Inability to delete or modify existing configurations

**Requested features**

- More scheduling and automation options
- Improved integration with other smart home devices
- Better data visualization and reporting
- Ability to create user profiles and access controls


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Ember free?

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

### Is Pentair Pool free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Ember or Pentair Pool?

Pentair Pool is rated higher. Ember averages 3.3 out of 5 from 7.5K ratings, while Pentair Pool averages 4.7 from 24K ratings.

### Do Ember or Pentair Pool have ads?

Neither Ember nor Pentair Pool shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Ember or Pentair Pool?

Ember ships an update every 2 months, and Pentair Pool monthly. Most recently, Ember was updated on October 21, 2026 and Pentair Pool on October 21, 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.*