# Pentair Pool vs NPT Backyard

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.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

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.

Pentair Pool ships an update monthly, NPT Backyard every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 23, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Pentair Pool | NPT Backyard |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (24K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pentair-pool/id1448665466/reviews)** | [3.7 (101 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/npt-backyard/id1478178328/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **24K** | 101 |
| Positive reviews | 30.0% of reviews | **42.5% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Monthly** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 149 MB | 117 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 | **15.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Pentair, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/528391851) | [Pool Corporation](https://appshunter.io/developer/508083385) |

## What reviewers say

### Pentair Pool

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pentair-pool/id1448665466)

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:** Apple Watch app

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

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

**Requested features**

- 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

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/npt-backyard/id1478178328)

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:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

- 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

**Requested features**

- 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


## Frequently asked 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 24, 2026 and NPT Backyard on October 23, 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.*