# lifebuoyalarm vs PoolSync

The clearest difference is rating: PoolSync at 2.1 against lifebuoyalarm's 1.4. PoolSync also leads on review sentiment (20% vs 0%) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 4 months). lifebuoyalarm's advantage is iOS requirement (11.0 vs 15.1). 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.

PoolSync holds the better App Store score, 2.1 against 1.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 18 and 64 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 0% of lifebuoyalarm's written reviews are positive against 20% of PoolSync's.

lifebuoyalarm ships an update every 4 months, PoolSync every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on July 24, 2026 and September 18, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | lifebuoyalarm | PoolSync |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [1.4 (18 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lifebuoyalarm/id1254837725/reviews) | **[2.1 (64 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/poolsync/id1498848116/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 18 | **64** |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | **19.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 56 MB | 39 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 15.1 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Lifebuoy Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1254837724) | [AquaCal AutoPilot, Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/1498848115) |

## What reviewers say

### lifebuoyalarm

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lifebuoyalarm/id1254837725)

This application allows you to remotely control a smart pool alarm system. You can turn the alarm on or off, adjust its sensitivity, and manage other settings to enhance pool safety by alerting you to accidental falls into the water.

**Highlights:** Remote alarm control, Adjustable sensitivity, Pool safety enhancement, Water fall detection alert

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### PoolSync

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/poolsync/id1498848116)

Control your pool equipment remotely from your iOS device. Adjust settings like temperature and sanitization, create schedules, and receive important alerts. Stay connected to your pool's status whether you're at home or away.

**Highlights:** Remote equipment control, Adjust heat pump set point, Change sanitization level, Create schedules, Receive alerts, Monitor pool status

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Controls pool features remotely
- 👍 Can monitor chlorinator and heat pump
- 👍 App improved over time (recent positive)
- 👍 Easy to set up (recent positive)
- 👍 Controls pumps, heater, valves, spa, lights

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent disconnection issues
- 🐛 "Unit does not appear online" error
- 🐛 Basic functionality, minimal details
- 🐛 Poor customer service/no response
- 🐛 Wi-Fi password issues (spaces not allowed)

**Reported bugs**

- Connection issues: "cloud connected" but "unit does not appear online"
- Wi-Fi connection fails even when close to router
- App gets stuck in setup mode, doesn't find heater/chiller (Error 1012)
- Cannot input spaces in Wi-Fi password
- Bug in verification screen preventing code input

**Requested features**

- Add temperature history graph
- Add notifications for heater issues
- Integrate relay contacts for heating priority
- Allow spaces in Wi-Fi passwords
- Add Alexa, Google, HomeKit, IFTTT integration


## Frequently asked questions

### Is lifebuoyalarm free?

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

### Is PoolSync free?

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

### Which has better reviews, lifebuoyalarm or PoolSync?

PoolSync is rated higher. lifebuoyalarm averages 1.4 out of 5 from 18 ratings, while PoolSync averages 2.1 from 64 ratings.

### Do lifebuoyalarm or PoolSync have ads?

Neither lifebuoyalarm nor PoolSync shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, lifebuoyalarm or PoolSync?

lifebuoyalarm ships an update every 4 months, and PoolSync every 2 months. Most recently, lifebuoyalarm was updated on July 24, 2026 and PoolSync on September 18, 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.*