# PIEPS vs Smith Optics

PIEPS and Smith Optics both sit at 4.9 stars, but that hides the real split: 100% of Smith Optics's written reviews are positive against 63% of PIEPS's. PIEPS's advantage is ratings volume (1K vs 9) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). On price, rating, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

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

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for PIEPS against 5.0 for Smith Optics. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: PIEPS has 1K ratings behind it against 9, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 63% of PIEPS's written reviews are positive against 100% of Smith Optics's.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 4, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | PIEPS | Smith Optics |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.9 (1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pieps/id1148014050/reviews) | **[5.0 (9 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smith-optics/id1582078506/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **1K** | 9 |
| Positive reviews | 63.0% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Monthly | Monthly |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 46 MB | 383 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Pieps GmbH](https://appshunter.io/developer/1148014049) | [SMITH SPORT OPTICS, INC.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1582078509) |

## What reviewers say

### PIEPS

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pieps/id1148014050)

Configure, check, and update your PIEPS or Black Diamond avalanche transceiver. Train your rescue skills with your phone as a remote control and register your device for additional services.

**Highlights:** Device configuration, Functionality check, Firmware updates, Rescue skills training, Remote control functionality, Device registration

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Easy to use
- 👍 Convenient app updates
- 🚀 Quick Bluetooth connection
- 👍 Functional, well-designed app

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Bluetooth connection issues
- 🐛 App login/registration problems
- 🐛 App not working on certain devices
- 🔋 Battery compartment design issues

**Reported bugs**

- App home screen going blank
- Incompatibility with certain beacon models

**Requested features**

- Support for more languages (e.g. Russian, Japanese)
- Improved security for app login/registration


### Smith Optics

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smith-optics/id1582078506)

Create custom-fit ski and snowboard goggles using 3D scanning technology. The app captures your facial data to design a personalized frame, ensuring a perfect fit with no light leaks or pressure points for maximum comfort and an expanded field of view.

**Highlights:** 3D face scanning for custom fit, Personalized frame design, Eliminates light leaks and pressure points, Expands field of view, 3D printed goggles, Digital scan to design team submission

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is PIEPS free?

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

### Is Smith Optics free?

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

### Which has better reviews, PIEPS or Smith Optics?

Smith Optics is rated higher. PIEPS averages 4.9 out of 5 from 1K ratings, while Smith Optics averages 5.0 from 9 ratings.

### Do PIEPS or Smith Optics have ads?

Neither PIEPS nor Smith Optics shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, PIEPS or Smith Optics?

PIEPS ships an update monthly, and Smith Optics monthly. Most recently, PIEPS was updated on October 4, 2026 and Smith Optics on September 29, 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.*