# Third Reality vs Signals for HomeKit

The clearest difference is rating: Signals for HomeKit at 4.0 against Third Reality's 2.2. Signals for HomeKit also leads on review sentiment (36% vs 12%) and update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 3 months). Third Reality's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.0). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Signals for HomeKit sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Third Reality asks for nothing beyond the download.

Signals for HomeKit holds the better App Store score, 4.0 against 2.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 29 and 137 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 12% of Third Reality's written reviews are positive against 36% of Signals for HomeKit's.

Third Reality ships an update every 3 months, Signals for HomeKit every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 22, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Third Reality | Signals for HomeKit |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.2 (29 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/third-reality/id1282331931/reviews) | **[4.0 (137 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/signals-for-homekit/id1453293391/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 29 | **137** |
| Positive reviews | 11.8% of reviews | **35.8% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 5 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 50 MB | 20 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, Mac** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Third Reality, Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/1225620424) | [CoreBits LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1257463128) |

## What reviewers say

### Third Reality

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/third-reality/id1282331931)

Control your home's lights and switches remotely with smart devices. This app allows you to configure hubs, add smart switches and bulbs, group devices for easy control, and set lighting schedules. Voice assistant integration is also supported.

**Highlights:** Remote control of lights and switches, Configure smart home hubs, Add and manage smart switches and bulbs, Group devices for unified control, Create lighting schedules, Voice assistant integration (Alexa, Google Home)

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### Signals for HomeKit

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/signals-for-homekit/id1453293391)

Utilize your HomeKit lights for silent communication within your home. Create custom light signals to announce events, get attention, or convey messages without shouting. Ideal for families or those with hearing impairments.

**Highlights:** Customizable light signals, Voice control with Siri Shortcuts, Widget support for quick triggers, Announce dinner time, Alert for shower time, Set light states after flashing

**Features:** Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Signals Plus | $4.99 | one-time |
| Signals Automate | $8.99 | one-time |
| Signals Automate Plus | $12.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 💡 Great concept for notifications
- 👍 Useful for reminders (e.g., insulin)
- 💡 Can trigger shortcuts
- 💡 Good for getting attention
- 👍 Intuitive UI

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Buggy and unreliable
- 🐛 Freezes and becomes unresponsive
- 🐛 Settings revert unexpectedly
- 🐛 Does not do what it advertises
- 🐛 Limited free version

**Reported bugs**

- App becomes unresponsive
- App freezes
- Settings revert back after glitching
- Does not recognize all HomeKit lights
- Does not automate anything via the phone

**Requested features**

- Ability to create signals based on text messages
- Support for all HomeKit lights
- Link signals into Home or personal automation
- Make setting brightness/color across all lights less tedious
- Improve strobe effect to be less startling


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Third Reality free?

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

### Is Signals for HomeKit free?

Signals for HomeKit is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Third Reality or Signals for HomeKit?

Signals for HomeKit is rated higher. Third Reality averages 2.2 out of 5 from 29 ratings, while Signals for HomeKit averages 4.0 from 137 ratings.

### Do Third Reality or Signals for HomeKit have ads?

Neither Third Reality nor Signals for HomeKit shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Third Reality or Signals for HomeKit?

Third Reality ships an update every 3 months, and Signals for HomeKit every 5 weeks. Most recently, Third Reality was updated on October 22, 2026 and Signals for HomeKit 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.*