# MRCOOL SmartHVAC vs Lantern Phish

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: MRCOOL SmartHVAC at none against Lantern Phish's 2. MRCOOL SmartHVAC also leads on iOS requirement (13 vs 15.0). On price, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Lantern Phish sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $12.99 per month. MRCOOL SmartHVAC asks for nothing beyond the download.

MRCOOL SmartHVAC ships an update every 4 weeks, Lantern Phish every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 4, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | MRCOOL SmartHVAC | Lantern Phish |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (9.8K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mrcool-smarthvac/id1439162688/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **9.8K** | — |
| Positive reviews | 49.4% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 weeks | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Size | 144 MB | 48 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 9+ |
| Developer | [Cielo WiGle Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1030282554) | [Lantern Phish](https://appshunter.io/developer/1807524040) |

## What reviewers say

### MRCOOL SmartHVAC

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mrcool-smarthvac/id1439162688)

Transform your existing MRCOOL air conditioners and heat pumps into smart devices. Control your home's climate remotely via smartphone or voice commands, automate settings based on your location, and set personalized schedules for comfort and energy savings.

**Highlights:** Remote AC and heat pump control, Voice command integration (Alexa, Google Home), Location-based automation, Weekly scheduling, Usage history monitoring, Air filter status alerts, Intelligent temperature triggers ('Comfy' feature)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Easy installation
- 🚀 Convenient remote control
- 🚀 Effective heating and cooling
- 🚀 Quiet operation
- 🚀 Helpful customer support

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Inconsistent temperature readings
- 🐛 Unreliable scheduling and automation
- 🐛 Connectivity issues
- 🐛 Lack of metric unit support
- 🐛 Confusing interface and controls

**Reported bugs**

- App frequently loses connection to unit
- Schedules not working as expected
- Temperature calibration issues
- Inconsistent behavior between app, remote, and unit

**Requested features**

- Add Celsius temperature option
- Improve scheduling functionality (set on and off times)
- Integrate remote temperature sensor
- Provide energy usage monitoring
- Allow multiple user accounts


### Lantern Phish

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lantern-phish/id6744522053)

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

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Subscription | $12.99 | per month |
| Annual Subscription | $99.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is MRCOOL SmartHVAC free?

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

### Is Lantern Phish free?

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

### Do MRCOOL SmartHVAC or Lantern Phish have ads?

Neither MRCOOL SmartHVAC nor Lantern Phish shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, MRCOOL SmartHVAC or Lantern Phish?

MRCOOL SmartHVAC ships an update every 4 weeks, and Lantern Phish every 3 weeks. Most recently, MRCOOL SmartHVAC was updated on October 17, 2026 and Lantern Phish on October 4, 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.*