GHL Connect vs Smart Reef
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
GHL Connect
Easily monitor and configure aquarium devices like ProfiLux computers, Mitras LX 7 lights, and dosing pumps from your smartphone or tablet. Access your devices locally without internet or remotely via the myGHL cloud service.
- Monitor device status
- Configure settings
- Remote internet access
- Local direct connection
- Start special actions
- Cloud storage for settings
- Sensor chart history
Read full descriptionHide full description
GHL Connect allows you to monitor and configure your ProfiLux computers, Mitras LX 7, Doser 2 or MaxiDoser with your smartphone or tablet in a very easy and comfortable manner. Connect directly with your GHL-device; it does not need external resources or an internet connection if used locally. You also have the opportunity to connect easily with myGHL in GHL Connect to access your GHL device via the Internet. GHL connect helps you to check current states, alarms and activities and allows you to edit most settings and to start special actions like manual dosing, water change, thunderstorms and much more. When you connect GHL Connect to a myGHL account, you also have the possibility to share your settings and the customizable dashboard across all GHL Connect platforms with CloudStorage and the possibility to view sensor charts over a long period of time.
Smart Reef
Manage your marine aquarium with this app. It provides device management, alerts for issues, and detailed historical data. A central dashboard offers a clear overview of your aquarium's status and device operations.
- Device management
- Aquarium alerts
- Measurement history
- Operational status dashboard
- Planned job journal
- Preset sharing
Read full descriptionHide full description
Functionality: • device management • alerts when any problems occur in the aquarium • presentation of measurements and the operational status of devices • device operation and measurements history • clear, collective dashboard with information on device operation • modern table of parameters measured in the aquarium • unique journal of planned jobs and aquarium task history integrated with devices Devices may be connected via a Wi-Fi network and your home router. Dashboard sharing, loading and sharing of presets with other users and many more useful features. Supported devices: • Thermo control - temperature controller • Thermo view - temperature monitor • TDS meter - reverse osmosis water monitor • Salinity guardian - salinity monitor • pH meter - pH monitor • Level sensor - water/liquid level meter • Level keeper - automatic water refill system • Smart pump - dosing pump • Power switcher - timing programmer / device switch • Reef flare - smart LED lamp • Smart roller • Smart tester • Dosing pumps • kH keeper
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: GHL Connect at 4.0 against Smart Reef's 1.6. GHL Connect also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 11) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 3 months). Smart Reef's advantage is ratings volume (19 vs 4). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Smart Reef sells 8 one-off in-app purchases. GHL Connect asks for nothing beyond the download.
GHL Connect holds the better App Store score, 4.0 against 1.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4 and 19 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 17% of GHL Connect's written reviews are positive against 4% of Smart Reef's.
GHL Connect ships an update every 2 weeks, Smart Reef every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 10, 2026 and June 11, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | GHL Connect | Smart Reef |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.0 (4 ratings) — better | 1.6 (19 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 17.1% of reviews — better | 3.8% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 4 | 19 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks — better | Every 3 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 14.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 57 MB | 4 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | GHL Advanced Technology GmbH & Co. KG | Reef Factory sp. z o.o. |
Customer experience
GHL Connect
Smart Reef
In-app purchases
GHL Connect
No in-app purchases
Smart Reef
- Warranty 3 years$12.99
- Warranty 3 years$17.99
- Warranty 3 years$19.99
Show 5 moreShow fewer
- Warranty 3 years2 variants$24.99
- Warranty 3 years$29.99
- Warranty 3 years2 variants$34.99
- Warranty 3 years2 variants$39.99
- Warranty 3 years$49.99









