# HYDROS App vs Smart Reef

The clearest difference is review sentiment: HYDROS App at 62% against Smart Reef's 4%. HYDROS App also leads on rating (3.7 vs 1.6) and in-app purchases (none vs 11). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Smart Reef sells 8 one-off in-app purchases. HYDROS App asks for nothing beyond the download.

HYDROS App holds the better App Store score, 3.7 against 1.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 22 and 19 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 62% of HYDROS App's written reviews are positive against 4% of Smart Reef's.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 months. Both last shipped on September 26, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | HYDROS App | Smart Reef |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[3.7 (22 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hydros-app/id1455344294/reviews)** | [1.6 (19 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smart-reef/id1480355166/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **22** | 19 |
| Positive reviews | **62.3% of reviews** | 3.8% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Every 3 months |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 70 MB | 4 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | **14.6** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Coralvue](https://appshunter.io/developer/1455344293) | [Reef Factory sp. z o.o.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1367901113) |

## What reviewers say

### HYDROS App

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hydros-app/id1455344294)

Easily monitor and control your aquarium's vital parameters like temperature, pH, and salinity. Manage all your connected devices, including ATOs, lights, and pumps, with a user-friendly interface. Quick setup with preset configurations means no coding is required to get your system running.

**Highlights:** Monitor temperature, ORP, pH, salinity, Control ATO, lights, heaters, pumps, User-friendly interface, Quick setup with presets, Manage multiple devices and aquariums, Set schedules and create modes

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### Smart Reef

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smart-reef/id1480355166)

Manage your marine aquarium with this app. It provides device management, alerts for issues, and detailed historical data. A central dashboard offers a clear overview of your aquarium's status and device operations.

**Highlights:** Device management, Aquarium alerts, Measurement history, Operational status dashboard, Planned job journal, Preset sharing

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (8)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Warranty 3 years | $12.99 | one-time |
| Warranty 3 years | $17.99 | one-time |
| Warranty 3 years | $19.99 | one-time |
| Warranty 3 years | $24.99 | one-time |
| Warranty 3 years | $29.99 | one-time |
| Warranty 3 years | $34.99 | one-time |
| Warranty 3 years | $39.99 | one-time |
| Warranty 3 years | $49.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is HYDROS App free?

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

### Is Smart Reef free?

Smart Reef is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, HYDROS App or Smart Reef?

HYDROS App is rated higher. HYDROS App averages 3.7 out of 5 from 22 ratings, while Smart Reef averages 1.6 from 19 ratings.

### Do HYDROS App or Smart Reef have ads?

Neither HYDROS App nor Smart Reef shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, HYDROS App or Smart Reef?

HYDROS App ships an update every 3 months, and Smart Reef every 3 months. Most recently, HYDROS App was updated on September 26, 2026 and Smart Reef on September 26, 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.*