# SmartTub® vs StoryThread

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: SmartTub® at none against StoryThread's 1. SmartTub® also leads on iOS requirement (15.1 vs 17.0). StoryThread's advantage is update cadence (daily vs fortnightly). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. StoryThread sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $109.99 per year. SmartTub® asks for nothing beyond the download.

SmartTub® ships an update fortnightly, StoryThread daily. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | SmartTub® | StoryThread |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[3.6 (320 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smarttub/id1318260634/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **320** | — |
| Positive reviews | 23.6% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | **Daily** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 97 MB | 8 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.1** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Jacuzzi Brands Corp.](https://appshunter.io/developer/967204652) | [StoryThread](https://appshunter.io/developer/1656102968) |

## What reviewers say

### SmartTub®

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smarttub/id1318260634)

This app acts as a personal hot tub assistant, providing tailored tips, how-to videos, and information based on your usage. It allows remote control of settings, energy usage estimates, and notifications for maintenance or power outages, ensuring you're always informed about your hot tub's status.

**Highlights:** Personalized hot tub tips and how-to videos, Remote adjustment of temperature and energy efficiency, Energy usage estimates, Power outage notifications, Dealer alerts for maintenance, Remote connection to dealer service

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Convenient remote control
- 🔒 Alerts for power outages
- 👍 Easy to use
- 👍 Useful monitoring features

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent connectivity issues
- 🐛 Temperature settings not reliable
- 🐛 Buggy and unstable
- 💰 Expensive annual subscription
- 🤔 Lack of WiFi option

**Reported bugs**

- App frequently logs out users
- Inability to register warranty
- Inconsistent temperature readings
- Unreliable connection to spa

**Requested features**

- Ability to remotely turn off spa
- Customizable heating and filtering schedules
- Chemical tracking and maintenance reminders
- Improved Apple Watch integration
- Better temperature and setting controls


### StoryThread

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/storythread/id6444685120)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium Tier Yearly | $109.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SmartTub® free?

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

### Is StoryThread free?

StoryThread is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do SmartTub® or StoryThread have ads?

Neither SmartTub® nor StoryThread shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, SmartTub® or StoryThread?

SmartTub® ships an update fortnightly, and StoryThread daily. Most recently, SmartTub® was updated on October 29, 2026 and StoryThread on October 13, 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.*