# ReefBeat vs GLOWRIUM

The clearest difference is review sentiment: GLOWRIUM at 45% against ReefBeat's 17%. GLOWRIUM also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.6). ReefBeat's advantage is ratings volume (1.8K vs 34) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 2 months). 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.

ReefBeat holds the better App Store score, 2.6 against 2.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ReefBeat has 1.8K ratings behind it against 34, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 17% of ReefBeat's written reviews are positive against 45% of GLOWRIUM's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

ReefBeat ships an update fortnightly, GLOWRIUM every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 8, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | ReefBeat | GLOWRIUM |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[2.6 (1.8K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/reefbeat/id1407856474/reviews)** | [2.4 (34 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/glowrium/id6445907786/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **1.8K** | 34 |
| Positive reviews | 17.0% of reviews | **45.5% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 337 MB | 90 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.6 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [RedSea](https://appshunter.io/developer/1407856473) | [Xingyang Hicent Technology Co., Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1696882724) |

## What reviewers say

### ReefBeat

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/reefbeat/id1407856474)

Control all your smart aquarium devices from a single, intuitive interface. Manage lighting, water pumps, and supplement dosing for a thriving aquatic environment.

**Highlights:** Unified device control, ReefLED lighting management, ReefWave pump control, ReefDose dosing system management, User-friendly interface

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Easy to set up and use
- 👍 Intuitive interface
- 🔋 Reliable device connectivity
- 💡 Useful monitoring and control features

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent connectivity issues
- 🐛 App crashes and bugs
- 🐛 Unreliable device pairing
- 🐛 Inconsistent performance
- 👎 Poor customer support

**Reported bugs**

- App forgets aquarium settings
- Devices randomly disconnect from WiFi
- Firmware updates fail to install properly

**Requested features**

- Improved app stability and reliability
- More customization options for lighting and dosing
- Integration with other smart home platforms
- Better notification and alert system


### GLOWRIUM

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/glowrium/id6445907786)

Control smart lighting devices via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Customize colors, set scenes, and simulate natural light changes throughout the day. Requires iOS 13.0+ and specific Bluetooth/Wi-Fi versions.

**Highlights:** Bluetooth and Wi-Fi control, Intelligent multi-area control, Spectrum setting and automatic operation, Independent color channel customization, Multi-scene preset lighting, Phased ecological simulation

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is ReefBeat free?

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

### Is GLOWRIUM free?

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

### Which has better reviews, ReefBeat or GLOWRIUM?

ReefBeat is rated higher. ReefBeat averages 2.6 out of 5 from 1.8K ratings, while GLOWRIUM averages 2.4 from 34 ratings.

### Do ReefBeat or GLOWRIUM have ads?

Neither ReefBeat nor GLOWRIUM shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, ReefBeat or GLOWRIUM?

ReefBeat ships an update fortnightly, and GLOWRIUM every 2 months. Most recently, ReefBeat was updated on September 23, 2026 and GLOWRIUM on September 8, 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.*