# Third Reality vs SmartBQ

The clearest difference is rating: SmartBQ at 5.0 against Third Reality's 2.2. SmartBQ also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 3 months). Third Reality's advantage is ratings volume (26 vs 1) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.6). 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.

SmartBQ holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 2.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Third Reality has 26 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Third Reality ships an update every 3 months, SmartBQ every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 18, 2026 and September 17, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Third Reality | SmartBQ |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.2 (26 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/third-reality/id1282331931/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smartbq/id6748202821/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **26** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 11.8% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 50 MB | 73 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Third Reality, Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/1225620424) | [BESTQI INTERNATIONAL LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1783444657) |

## 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


### SmartBQ

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smartbq/id6748202821)

Control your smart appliances remotely for a more effortless life. Manage devices like ice makers, activate self-cleaning, and schedule operations from anywhere via your smartphone.

**Highlights:** Remote appliance control, Instant ice making, Self-cleaning activation, Scheduled operations, Easy support access

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Third Reality free?

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

### Is SmartBQ free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Third Reality or SmartBQ?

SmartBQ is rated higher. Third Reality averages 2.2 out of 5 from 26 ratings, while SmartBQ averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do Third Reality or SmartBQ have ads?

Neither Third Reality nor SmartBQ shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Third Reality or SmartBQ?

Third Reality ships an update every 3 months, and SmartBQ every 3 weeks. Most recently, Third Reality was updated on September 18, 2026 and SmartBQ on September 17, 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.*