Comparison

Pentair Pool vs NPT Backyard

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

Head to head
About

Pentair Pool

Manage your swimming pool system, monitor water chemistry, and receive instant status updates from a single dashboard. Control connected Pentair pool devices remotely for energy efficiency and peace of mind. Receive alerts for equipment or pool conditions to avoid costly service calls.

Highlights
  • Remote pool system control
  • Water chemistry monitoring
  • Instant status updates
  • 24/7 device monitoring
  • Equipment alerts
  • Energy-efficient solutions
Features
Read full description

Pentair Home is Now Pentair Pool! It's the same great app with a new name and logo. You'll continue to enjoy the functionality you know and love with a modern, refined look. Your app will continue functioning as it always has — seamlessly and reliably! Rule the Pool with Smart, Connected Pentair Products All in One Place The Pentair Pool app and its range of connected products makes managing your pool easier than ever. Control your swimming pool system, monitor water chemistry, and access instant status updates from one easy-to-use dashboard on your smart device. Enjoy energy-efficient solutions and peace of mind with remote monitoring anytime, anywhere. With the Pentair Pool app, you can: + Receive alerts sent directly to your phone and, if you choose, to your trusted pool professional. + Monitor your connected Pentair pool devices remotely, 24/7, to ensure peak performance. + Easily see when equipment or pool conditions need attention to avoid unnecessary and costly service calls. Compatible Pentair Pool & Spa Products: + IntelliCenter® Pool Control System + IntelliFlo3® Variable Speed & Flow Pump + IntelliVibe Pool & Spa Lights + IntelliSync® Pool Pump Control + ChemCheck® Water Quality Monitoring System + IntelliConnect® Pool Control System + Prowler® 930W Robotic Pool Cleaner + Color Sync™ Controller for Color LED Pool Lights Note: Product alerts, professional connectivity, and features are dependent on user settings and device capabilities. Internet connection, Wi-Fi, and/or Bluetooth® may be required. Some features may not be supported on all smart devices. Terms of Service and Privacy Notice apply.

About

NPT Backyard

Visualize your dream pool in your own backyard using augmented reality. This app offers stunning 4k graphics, advanced lighting, and realistic water simulations to help you design and preview your perfect pool.

Highlights
  • Augmented Reality pool visualization
  • 4k graphics
  • Realistic lighting effects
  • Advanced water systems
  • Design your dream pool
Features
Read full description

This application will no longer be available. Existing users will be required to upgrade to the new version and when opened, Users will be directed to our Website.

Screenshots

Pentair Pool4 screens
NPT Backyard4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Pentair Pool at 4.7 against NPT Backyard's 3.7. Pentair Pool also leads on ratings volume (24K vs 101) and update cadence (monthly vs every 2 months). NPT Backyard's advantage is review sentiment (43% vs 30%). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Pentair Pool holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Pentair Pool has 24K ratings behind it against 101, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 30% of Pentair Pool's written reviews are positive against 43% of NPT Backyard's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Pentair Pool ships an update monthly, NPT Backyard every 2 months. Both last shipped on October 23, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Pentair Pool versus NPT Backyard: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPentair PoolNPT Backyard
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (24K ratings) — better3.7 (101 ratings)
Positive reviews29.7% of reviews42.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings24K — better101
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.115.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size149 MB117 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPentair, Inc.Pool Corporation

Customer experience

Pentair Pool

All ratings24,096 ratings
Positive91.7%
Neutral2.4%
Negative5.9%
Written reviews431 reviews
Positive29.7%
Neutral10.2%
Negative60.1%

NPT Backyard

All ratings101 ratings
Positive65.3%
Neutral4.0%
Negative30.7%
Written reviews40 reviews
Positive42.5%
Neutral7.5%
Negative50.0%

User reviews

Pentair Pool

From 24K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Easy to use
  • 👍 Intuitive interface
  • 📊 Good data and monitoring features
  • 💡 Helpful customer support

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Bugs and glitches
  • 🔌 Connectivity issues
  • 🔒 Limited user permissions and control
  • 🤯 Frustrating setup and migration process

NPT Backyard

From 101 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Great for visualizing pool options
  • 👍 Helpful for remodel planning
  • 👍 User-friendly interface
  • 👍 Good for comparing finishes and colors
  • 👍 AR view enhances visualization

Room to improve

  • 😞 Limited design options
  • 😞 Cannot create custom pool shapes
  • 😞 AR view often doesn't work
  • 😞 Inaccurate rendering of water color
  • 😞 App crashes frequently

Bugs and requests

Pentair Pool

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • App crashes and freezes
  • Inaccurate sensor readings
  • Scheduling and automation issues
  • Inability to delete or modify existing configurations

Requested features

4 requests
  • More scheduling and automation options
  • Improved integration with other smart home devices
  • Better data visualization and reporting
  • Ability to create user profiles and access controls

NPT Backyard

Reported bugs

6 issues
  • AR doesn't work
  • App crashes when viewing tiles
  • App crashes frequently
  • App is slow and hangs
  • Water color doesn't change with plaster choices
Show 1 more
  • Tutorial is useless

Requested features

6 requests
  • Option to design a remodel for existing pools
  • Ability to change pool dimensions within the app
  • More standard pool shapes available (e.g., round spa)
  • Include all pool tiles from the catalog
  • Ability to drag and position the pool design in the yard
Show 1 more
  • More realistic water color rendering based on plaster choices

In-app purchases

None

Pentair Pool

No in-app purchases

None

NPT Backyard

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Pentair Pool free?
Pentair Pool is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is NPT Backyard free?
NPT Backyard is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Pentair Pool or NPT Backyard?
Pentair Pool is rated higher. Pentair Pool averages 4.7 out of 5 from 24K ratings, while NPT Backyard averages 3.7 from 101 ratings.
Do Pentair Pool or NPT Backyard have ads?
Neither Pentair Pool nor NPT Backyard shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Pentair Pool or NPT Backyard?
Pentair Pool ships an update monthly, and NPT Backyard every 2 months. Most recently, Pentair Pool was updated on October 23, 2026 and NPT Backyard on October 23, 2026.

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