Balmar SmartLink vs SureShade Control
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Balmar SmartLink
This application allows users to connect to and manage Balmar SmartLink devices. It requires a specific Bluetooth gateway to function. Users can view information and configure settings for their connected devices.
- Connect to Balmar SmartLink devices
- Configure device settings
- View device information
- Requires BlueLink Bluetooth Gateway
- Network monitoring
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The Balmar app lets you connect, configure and view information from Balmar SmartLink devices. It requires a BlueLink Bluetooth Gateway (SG2-0300) to be installed on the SmartLink Network. See https://balmar.net/sg200-upgrades/ for information about this release.
SureShade Control
Control your boat's telescoping shade system remotely via Bluetooth. Manage shade extension, retraction, and access diagnostics, usage history, and reset functions from your smart device. Supports multiple devices for an enhanced boating experience.
- Bluetooth Wireless Connection
- Shade Extension & Retraction
- Diagnostics
- Usage Tracking
- Reset Calibration
- Multiple Device Support
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The SureShade Control App allows the user to control their telescoping boat shade systems via a Bluetooth connection. The App provides extension, retraction, diagnostics, usage, and reset from your smart device. Multiple devices are supported making the boating experience even better Features: Bluetooth Wireless Connection Full Deck Range Coverage Diagnostics Usage Reset Calibration
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: SureShade Control at 4.0 against Balmar SmartLink's 2.7. Balmar SmartLink's advantage is ratings volume (13 vs 1) and iOS requirement (12.4 vs 14.0). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
SureShade Control holds the better App Store score, 4.0 against 2.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Balmar SmartLink has 13 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.
Balmar SmartLink ships an update every 2 months, SureShade Control every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 15, 2026 and August 17, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Balmar SmartLink | SureShade Control |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 2.7 (13 ratings) | 4.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 21.4% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 13 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months — better | Every 3 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 12.4 — better | 14.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 21 MB | 116 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | CDI ELECTRONICS, LLC | Lippert Components, Inc. |
Customer experience
Balmar SmartLink
SureShade Control
In-app purchases
Balmar SmartLink
No in-app purchases
SureShade Control
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Balmar SmartLink free?
Is SureShade Control free?
Which has better reviews, Balmar SmartLink or SureShade Control?
Do Balmar SmartLink or SureShade Control have ads?
Which is updated more often, Balmar SmartLink or SureShade Control?
Other comparisons
