# WaterGuru vs AppLights Permanent

The clearest difference is review sentiment: WaterGuru at 74% against AppLights Permanent's 0%. WaterGuru also leads on rating (4.1 vs 1.3) and ratings volume (239 vs 12). AppLights Permanent's advantage is iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

WaterGuru holds the better App Store score, 4.1 against 1.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: WaterGuru has 239 ratings behind it against 12, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 74% of WaterGuru's written reviews are positive against 0% of AppLights Permanent's.

WaterGuru ships an update every 4 weeks, AppLights Permanent every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | WaterGuru | AppLights Permanent |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.1 (239 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/waterguru/id1372295527/reviews)** | [1.3 (12 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/applights-permanent/id6670780816/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **239** | 12 |
| Positive reviews | **73.8% of reviews** | 0.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 4 weeks** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 155 MB | 37 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **12.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [WaterGuru, Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/1153080819) | [Gemmy Industries Corporation](https://appshunter.io/developer/889851671) |

## What reviewers say

### WaterGuru

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/waterguru/id1372295527)

This app provides comprehensive control over your pool's water chemistry. It helps maintain a safe environment by keeping out harmful contaminants and offers lab-grade analysis and treatment advice for simplified pool management.

**Highlights:** Pool water chemistry control, Harmful virus and bacteria prevention, Lab-grade analysis, Water treatment advice, Simplified pool management

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 💰 Money saver
- 🔍 Accurate readings
- 🕰️ Convenient daily monitoring
- 👨‍💻 Excellent customer service
- 🔧 Easy to use

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Connectivity issues
- 🔋 Battery drain
- 🤖 Inaccurate readings for some parameters
- 💸 Expensive cartridges
- 🤷‍♂️ Unreliable device

**Reported bugs**

- App notifications not working properly
- Inability to upload pool photos
- Inconsistent app performance after updates

**Requested features**

- Ability to set custom testing schedule
- Measure salt levels
- Provide more advice on adjusting water chemistry
- Add hourly temperature readings


### AppLights Permanent

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/applights-permanent/id6670780816)

Install permanent lights for year-round use and customize them through the app. Choose colors, effects, and pre-programmed light shows for holidays or everyday accent lighting.

**Highlights:** Permanent year-round lighting, Customizable colors and effects, Individual bulb control, Pre-programmed light shows, Holiday and everyday accent lighting

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is WaterGuru free?

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

### Is AppLights Permanent free?

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

### Which has better reviews, WaterGuru or AppLights Permanent?

WaterGuru is rated higher. WaterGuru averages 4.1 out of 5 from 239 ratings, while AppLights Permanent averages 1.3 from 12 ratings.

### Do WaterGuru or AppLights Permanent have ads?

Neither WaterGuru nor AppLights Permanent shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, WaterGuru or AppLights Permanent?

WaterGuru ships an update every 4 weeks, and AppLights Permanent every 2 months. Most recently, WaterGuru was updated on October 25, 2026 and AppLights Permanent 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.*