# Backyard Dreambook vs NPT Backyard

The clearest difference is rating: Backyard Dreambook at 4.8 against NPT Backyard's 3.7. Backyard Dreambook also leads on review sentiment (67% vs 43%). NPT Backyard's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 7 months) and ratings volume (101 vs 10). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

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

Backyard Dreambook holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: NPT Backyard has 101 ratings behind it against 10, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 67% of Backyard Dreambook's written reviews are positive against 43% of NPT Backyard's.

Backyard Dreambook ships an update every 7 months, NPT Backyard every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 23, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Backyard Dreambook | NPT Backyard |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (10 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backyard-dreambook/id1212062954/reviews)** | [3.7 (101 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/npt-backyard/id1478178328/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 10 | **101** |
| Positive reviews | **66.7% of reviews** | 42.5% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 7 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 35 MB | 117 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Joan Smith Enterprises Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/1558480191) | [Pool Corporation](https://appshunter.io/developer/508083385) |

## What reviewers say

### Backyard Dreambook

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backyard-dreambook/id1212062954)

Explore inspiring ideas and content for your ultimate backyard. Save favorite images to personal collections and share them. Request project estimates, start financing, or schedule meetings with designers directly from the app.

**Highlights:** Inspirational backyard images, Feature stories and articles, Save and share favorite photos, Request project estimates, Finance process initiation, Schedule designer meetings

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### NPT Backyard

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/npt-backyard/id1478178328)

Visualize your dream pool in your own backyard using augmented reality. This app offers stunning 4k graphics, advanced lighting, and realistic water simulations to help you design and preview your perfect pool.

**Highlights:** Augmented Reality pool visualization, 4k graphics, Realistic lighting effects, Advanced water systems, Design your dream pool

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Great for visualizing pool options
- 👍 Helpful for remodel planning
- 👍 User-friendly interface
- 👍 Good for comparing finishes and colors
- 👍 AR view enhances visualization

**What reviewers complain about**

- 😞 Limited design options
- 😞 Cannot create custom pool shapes
- 😞 AR view often doesn't work
- 😞 Inaccurate rendering of water color
- 😞 App crashes frequently

**Reported bugs**

- AR doesn't work
- App crashes when viewing tiles
- App crashes frequently
- App is slow and hangs
- Water color doesn't change with plaster choices

**Requested features**

- Option to design a remodel for existing pools
- Ability to change pool dimensions within the app
- More standard pool shapes available (e.g., round spa)
- Include all pool tiles from the catalog
- Ability to drag and position the pool design in the yard


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Backyard Dreambook free?

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

### Is NPT Backyard free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Backyard Dreambook or NPT Backyard?

Backyard Dreambook is rated higher. Backyard Dreambook averages 4.8 out of 5 from 10 ratings, while NPT Backyard averages 3.7 from 101 ratings.

### Do Backyard Dreambook or NPT Backyard have ads?

Neither Backyard Dreambook nor NPT Backyard shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Backyard Dreambook or NPT Backyard?

Backyard Dreambook ships an update every 7 months, and NPT Backyard every 2 months. Most recently, Backyard Dreambook was updated on October 12, 2026 and NPT Backyard on October 23, 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.*