# Yale Access vs Hydrawise

The clearest difference is ads: Hydrawise at none against Yale Access's shown. Hydrawise also leads on monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases) and iOS requirement (15.6 vs 17.6.1). Yale Access's advantage is rating (4.9 vs 4.7). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume and update cadence there is nothing between them.

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

Yale Access holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 74K and 64K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 41% of Yale Access's written reviews are positive against 38% of Hydrawise's.

Yale Access ships an update fortnightly, Hydrawise every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on September 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Yale Access | Hydrawise |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.9 (74K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/yale-access/id1450980221/reviews)** | [4.7 (64K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hydrawise/id1618847331/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **74K** | 64K |
| Positive reviews | **41.0% of reviews** | 38.4% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 304 MB | 86 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.6.1 | **15.6** |
| Devices | iPhone, Apple Watch | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [August Home, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/648730595) | [Hunter Industries](https://appshunter.io/developer/710090127) |

## What reviewers say

### Yale Access

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/yale-access/id1450980221)

Control and secure your home with smart lock technology. Manage access for family and guests, receive activity alerts, and enjoy peace of mind knowing your property is protected. This app is compatible with specific Yale and August smart lock models in the US and Canada.

**Highlights:** Smart lock control, Home security management, Access for family and guests, Activity alerts, Peace of mind, Compatible with Yale and August locks

**Features:** Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Convenient keyless entry
- 🔒 Secure lock with fingerprint scanner
- 👍 Easy to set up and use
- 👍 Great for short-term rentals
- 👍 Responsive and reliable

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 App crashes and bugs
- 🔋 No battery level indicator
- 🔒 Cannot remove self as guest on others' locks
- 👎 Unreliable auto-lock/unlock feature
- 👎 Poor customer support

**Reported bugs**

- App shows incorrect lock status
- Issues with adding/deleting users
- Connectivity problems between lock and app
- Firmware updates causing functionality issues
- Incompatibility with certain devices/networks

**Requested features**

- Add battery level indicator
- Allow users to remove themselves as guests
- Improve auto-lock/unlock functionality
- Provide better integration with smart home platforms
- Enhance app UI and UX


### Hydrawise

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hydrawise/id1618847331)

Optimize your irrigation with intelligent watering schedules based on local weather forecasts. This app helps conserve water while ensuring your landscape stays healthy and vibrant. Manage your irrigation system remotely for ultimate convenience.

**Highlights:** Predictive Watering™, Local weather insights, Water savings optimization, Lush landscape creation, Remote irrigation management

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 🚀 Improved performance
- 💡 Useful features like weather-based watering
- 🔒 Secure system

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Connectivity issues
- 👎 Confusing user interface
- 🔍 Difficult to find/access certain features
- 📉 Lack of important functionality from previous app

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes on launch
- Zones not starting as scheduled
- Incorrect flow rate and water usage data

**Requested features**

- Ability to pause/resume programs
- Customizable watering schedules
- Improved reporting and historical data
- Easier manual zone control


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Yale Access free?

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

### Is Hydrawise free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Yale Access or Hydrawise?

Yale Access is rated higher. Yale Access averages 4.9 out of 5 from 74K ratings, while Hydrawise averages 4.7 from 64K ratings.

### Do Yale Access or Hydrawise have ads?

Yale Access shows ads; Hydrawise does not.

### Which is updated more often, Yale Access or Hydrawise?

Yale Access ships an update fortnightly, and Hydrawise every 3 weeks. Most recently, Yale Access was updated on September 24, 2026 and Hydrawise on September 24, 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.*