Comparison

Yi iot vs YI Smart

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Yi iot

Monitor your home or office remotely with live video streaming and recording. Receive instant alerts for important events and communicate with people or pets using two-way audio. AI-powered highlights condense footage for quick review.

Highlights
  • AI-curated video highlights
  • Remote access to live streams
  • 24/7 live streaming and recording
  • Two-way audio communication
  • Smart panoramic view
Features
Read full description

Yi iot – Smarter Security, Smarter Life Stay close to what matters most with Yi iot. Whether you’re at home, at work, or on the go, Yi iot helps you see, hear, and protect—anytime, anywhere. Key Features -AI-Curated Highlights: Review the most important moments in seconds without scrubbing through hours of video. -Access from Anywhere: Cloud storage keeps your memories safe, even if your device is lost or damaged. -24/7 Live Streaming & Recording: Safety that never sleeps—always know what’s happening in real time. -Two-Way Audio: Talk to family, pets, or visitors with a simple tap. -Smart Panoramic View: Move your phone to explore every corner instantly. Optional Cloud Subscription Upgrade with flexible cloud plans to unlock advanced features like AI highlights, unlimited playback, and continuous 24/7 recording. Auto-renewing subscriptions info: -Subscription name:15d. Loop(30d.), 5 Cam -Length of subscription: 30 days -Price of subscription: $19.99 per month -Subscription name:7d. Loop(12m.), 1 Cam, CVR -Length of subscription: 365 days -Price of subscription: $99.99 per month -Subscription name:15d. Loop(12m.), 5 Cam -Length of subscription: 365 days -Price of subscription: $129.99 per month -Subscription name:7d. Loop(365d), 3 CVR -Length of subscription: 365 days -Price of subscription: $249.99 per year -Subscription name:30days Loop(365d), 5 Cameras -Length of subscription: 365 days -Price of subscription: $149.99 per year -Subscription name:Response Service(30d) -Length of subscription: 30 days -Price of subscription: $12.99 per year -Subscription name:Response Service(365d) -Length of subscription: 365 days -Price of subscription: $69.99 per year -Subscription name:1,7,365,CVR,BlackFriday -Length of subscription: 365 days -Price of subscription: $79.99 per year -Subscription name:5,15,365,BlackFriday -Length of subscription: 365 days -Price of subscription: $129.99 per year -Subscription name:5,30,365,BlackFriday -Length of subscription: 365 days -Price of subscription: $179.99 per year 

-Subscription name:5,30,365,CVR -Length of subscription: 365 days -Price of subscription: $199.99 per year -Subscription name:1-7-CVR-1Month-CN-IOT-AUTO -Length of subscription: 30 days -Price of subscription: $4.99 per month -Subscription name:1-30-CVR-1Month-CN-IOT-AUTO -Length of subscription: 30 days -Price of subscription: $9.49 per month -Subscription name:07d. Loop(365d.),2 Cam -Length of subscription: 365 days -Price of subscription: $20.49 per year -Subscription name:07d. Loop(30d.),2 Cam -Length of subscription: 30 days -Price of subscription: $2.49 per month 
-Payment: The user confirms the purchase and pays it with their iTunes account. -Cancel renewal:If you need to cancel the renewal, please manually turn off the automatic renewal function in Itunes / Apple ID settings management 24 hours before the current subscription expire -Renew:Apple ITunes account will be debited within 24 hours before expiration, and the subscription cycle will be postponed for one month after the deduction is successful
-Precautions:After renewing the subscription automatically, the service is free for the first month, and the trial period ends from the day of purchase to the day of next month, and the charge is automatically deducted -Terms of use:https://api.yitechnology.com/home/terms_of_use?location=USA&lang=zh-CN?location=USA&lang=zh-CN -Privacy policy:https://api.yitechnology.com/home/privacy_agreement?location=USA&lang=zh-CN?location=USA&lang=zh-CN -YI Cloud Service Agreement:https://api.yitechnology.com/homecamera/cloud_agreement_ios.html -Automatic Renewal Service Agreement:https://app.yitechnology.com/#/YihomeAutoRenewalAgreement

About

YI Smart

Stay connected with loved ones through real-time video and audio. Initiate two-way conversations with clear voice quality and enjoy a panoramic view of your surroundings by simply moving your phone.

Highlights
  • Real-time video and audio connection
  • Two-way conversation
  • Loud and clean voice quality
  • Panoramic view
  • Gyroscope support for enhanced viewing
Features
Read full description

- YI Smart connects you with your family through real-time video and audio anytime and anywhere just a fingertip away - With a simple tap on your mobile phone, you can initiate a 2-way conversation with your family remotely. Its specially designed microphone and speaker ensures loud and clean voice quality - By simply panning your mobile phone left and right, a complete panoramic view will be displayed to provide a better viewing experience. The gyroscope support, integrated in the YI IoT App, is able to follow the mobile phone orientation, making it easier to see every corner being monitored. Auto-renewing subscriptions info: - Subscription name: YI_Cloud_Entry_Plan(Monthly) - Length of subscription: 30 days - Price of subscription: $4.99 per month - Subscription name: YI_Cloud_Entry_Plan(Annual) - Length of subscription: 30 days - Price of subscription: $39.99 per year - Subscription name: YI_Cloud_CVR_Plan(Monthly) - Length of subscription: 30 days - Price of subscription: $7.99 per month - Subscription name: YI_Cloud_CVR_Plan(Annual) - Length of subscription: 30 days - Price of subscription: $79.99 per year - Subscription name: YI_Cloud_Standard_Plan(Monthly) - Length of subscription: 30 days - Price of subscription: $11.99 per month - Subscription name: YI_Cloud_Standard_Plan(Annual) - Length of subscription: 30 days - Price of subscription: $99.99 per year - Subscription name: YI_Cloud_Plus_Plan(Monthly) - Length of subscription: 30 days - Price of subscription: $14.99 per month - Subscription name: YI_Cloud_Plus_Plan(Annual) - Length of subscription: 30 days - Price of subscription: $129.99 per year - Payment: The user confirms the purchase and pays it with their iTunes account. - Cancel renewal: If you need to cancel the renewal, please manually turn off the automatic renewal function in iTunes / Apple ID settings management 24 hours before the current subscription expire - Renew: Apple iTunes account will be debited within 24 hours before expiration, and the subscription cycle will be postponed for one month after the deduction is successful - Precautions: After renewing the subscription automatically, the service is free for the first month, and the trial period ends from the day of purchase to the day of next month, and the charge is automatically deducted -Terms of use:https://api.yitechnology.com/home/terms_of_use?location=USA&lang=zh-CN?location=USA&lang=zh-CN -Privacy policy:https://api.yitechnology.com/home/privacy_agreement?location=USA&lang=zh-CN?location=USA&lang=zh-CN - YI Cloud Service Agreement: https://api.yitechnology.com/homecamera/cloud_agreement_ios.html - Autmatic Renewal Service Agreement: https://app.yitechnology.com/#/YihomeAutoRenewalAgreement

Screenshots

Yi iot4 screens
YI Smart4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Yi iot at 3.1 against YI Smart's 1.8. Yi iot also leads on monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription) and ratings volume (4.9K vs 72). On price, review sentiment, update cadence and ads 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Yi iot sells 13 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and YI Smart sells 20 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Yi iot holds the better App Store score, 3.1 against 1.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Yi iot has 4.9K ratings behind it against 72, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 5% and 6% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Yi iot ships an update every 2 weeks, YI Smart every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on October 19, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
Yi iot versus YI Smart: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterYi iotYI Smart
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.1 (4.9K ratings) — better1.8 (72 ratings)
Positive reviews5.3% of reviews6.1% of reviews — better
Number of ratings4.9K — better72
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksEvery 10 days — better
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterSubscription
Best chart rank#163 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS13.013.0
Further details — not scored
Size374 MB373 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperZK (HK) LIMITEDZKCam Technology Limited

Customer experience

Yi iot

All ratings4,938 ratings
Positive50.3%
Neutral5.6%
Negative44.2%
Written reviews1,200 reviews
Positive5.3%
Neutral4.5%
Negative90.2%

YI Smart

All ratings72 ratings
Positive18.1%
Neutral0.0%
Negative81.9%
Written reviews49 reviews
Positive6.1%
Neutral2.0%
Negative91.8%

Bugs and requests

Yi iot

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Camera randomly turns to face the wall
  • App freezes and becomes unusable after updates
  • SD card recordings not accessible without subscription
  • Alerts and notifications not working as expected

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add option to disable IR lights
  • Improve playback and review of recorded footage
  • Provide better customer support and communication
  • Allow more customization of motion detection zones

YI Smart

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

13 purchases

Yi iot

Subscriptions12
  • AUTO30D-Entryplan-IN(1M1D)$4.991 Month
  • 1month 15-day 1cam motion7 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • 30D-Entryplan-IN(1M1D)$9.991 Month
Show 9 more
  • 7d. Loop(30d.), 1 Cam$15.991 Month
  • 7d. Loop(30d.), 1 Cam, CVR$18.991 Month
  • 15d. Loop(30d.), 5 Cam$22.991 Month
  • 30d. Loop(30d.), 5 Cam$25.991 Month
  • 30D-Entryplan-IN(1Y1D)$26.991 Year
  • 12month 15-day 1cam motion3 Days trial$59.991 Year
  • 7d. Loop(12m.), 1 Cam, CVR7 Days trial$79.991 Year
  • 15d. Loop(12m.), 5 Cam3 Days trial$139.991 Year
  • 30days Loop(365d), 5 Cameras3 Days trial$174.991 Year
One-time1
  • 7d. (30d.), 1 Cam$4.99
20 purchases

YI Smart

Subscriptions12
  • YI_Cloud_IOS_Entry_Monthly_ACT$3.991 Month
  • YI_Cloud_Entry_Plan_(Monthly)$4.991 Month
  • YI_Cloud_Entry_Plan(Monthly)$4.991 Month
Show 9 more
  • YI_Cloud_CVR_Plan(Monthly)$7.991 Month
  • YI_Cloud_STD_Plan(Monthly)$11.991 Month
  • YI_Cloud_Plus_Plan(Monthly)$14.991 Month
  • YI_Cloud_IOS_Entry_Annual_ACT$26.991 Year
  • YI_Cloud_Entry_Plan_(Annual)$36.991 Year
  • YI_Cloud_Entry_Plan(Annual)7 Days trial$39.991 Year
  • YI_Cloud_CVR_Plan(Annual)7 Days trial$79.991 Year
  • YI_Cloud_Standard_Plan(Annual)7 Days trial$99.991 Year
  • YI_Cloud_Plus_Plan(Annual)7 Days trial$129.991 Year
One-time8
  • YI_Cloud_Entry_Plan2(Monthly)$4.99
  • YI_Cloud_CVR_Plan2(Monthly)$7.99
  • 7天移动-包年套餐-一次性$9.99
Show 5 more
  • YI_Cloud_STD_Plan2(Monthly)$11.99
  • YI_Cloud_Plus_Plan2(Monthly)$14.99
  • 7天CVR-包年-一次性$19.99
  • 30天移动-包年-一次性$29.99
  • YI_Cloud_Entry_Plan2(Annual)$39.99

Questions

Is Yi iot free?
Yi iot is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is YI Smart free?
YI Smart is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Yi iot or YI Smart?
Yi iot is rated higher. Yi iot averages 3.1 out of 5 from 4.9K ratings, while YI Smart averages 1.8 from 72 ratings.
Do Yi iot or YI Smart have ads?
Both Yi iot and YI Smart show ads.
Which is updated more often, Yi iot or YI Smart?
Yi iot ships an update every 2 weeks, and YI Smart every 10 days. Most recently, Yi iot was updated on October 19, 2026 and YI Smart on October 13, 2026.

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