# Sutro vs Bestway Connect (SmartSpa)

The clearest difference is rating: Bestway Connect (SmartSpa) at 4.6 against Sutro's 3.9. Bestway Connect (SmartSpa) also leads on ratings volume (1.1K vs 175). Sutro's advantage is review sentiment (73% vs 47%) and iOS requirement (12.4 vs 15.6). 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.

Bestway Connect (SmartSpa) holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Bestway Connect (SmartSpa) has 1.1K ratings behind it against 175, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 73% of Sutro's written reviews are positive against 47% of Bestway Connect (SmartSpa)'s, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Sutro ships an update every 2 months, Bestway Connect (SmartSpa) monthly. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Sutro | Bestway Connect (SmartSpa) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.9 (175 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sutro/id1439627399/reviews) | **[4.6 (1.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bestway-connect-smartspa/id6503030222/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 175 | **1.1K** |
| Positive reviews | **72.9% of reviews** | 46.6% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 39 MB | 85 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.4** | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Sutro Connect Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/1439627398) | [Bestway Global Holding Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1453370425) |

## What reviewers say

### Sutro

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sutro/id1439627399)

Effortlessly manage your pool or spa water quality. This app works with a smart monitor to automatically track pH, free chlorine, alkalinity, and temperature, providing insights that make sense for optimal water conditions.

**Highlights:** Automatic water quality monitoring, pH tracking, Free chlorine measurement, Alkalinity tracking, Temperature monitoring, Seamless app integration

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Easy to use
- 👍 Accurate water testing
- 💡 Helpful notifications and recommendations
- 🔒 Reliable customer support
- 🚀 Convenient pool monitoring

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Connectivity issues
- 🐛 Inaccurate readings
- 🐛 Buggy app performance
- 🔋 Expensive subscription
- 🐛 Setup difficulties

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes and freezes
- Disconnection issues with hub
- Calibration failures
- Inaccurate water chemistry readings

**Requested features**

- Measure total hardness and CYA
- Customizable notification settings
- Ability to cancel subscription easily
- Improved app stability and user experience


### Bestway Connect (SmartSpa)

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bestway-connect-smartspa/id6503030222)

Control your hot tub remotely. Adjust water temperature, activate massage bubbles, and manage the filtration system. Schedule heating and filtration cycles for optimal comfort and maintenance.

**Highlights:** Adjust water temperature, Control massage bubbles, Manage filtration system, Set heating timer, Set filtration timer

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Sutro free?

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

### Is Bestway Connect (SmartSpa) free?

Bestway Connect (SmartSpa) is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Sutro or Bestway Connect (SmartSpa)?

Bestway Connect (SmartSpa) is rated higher. Sutro averages 3.9 out of 5 from 175 ratings, while Bestway Connect (SmartSpa) averages 4.6 from 1.1K ratings.

### Do Sutro or Bestway Connect (SmartSpa) have ads?

Neither Sutro nor Bestway Connect (SmartSpa) shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Sutro or Bestway Connect (SmartSpa)?

Sutro ships an update every 2 months, and Bestway Connect (SmartSpa) monthly. Most recently, Sutro was updated on November 2, 2026 and Bestway Connect (SmartSpa) on November 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.*