Z21Updater vs EHEIM Digital Connect
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Z21Updater
Easily update your Z21, z21, z21start, and smartRail devices. The app automatically detects connected hardware and fetches the latest firmware directly from the server when online, simplifying the update process.
- Automatic device recognition
- Direct server updates
- Simple and functional update process
- Supports Z21, z21, z21start, smartRail
Read full descriptionHide full description
This app allows you to conveniently keep your Z21, z21, z21start and smartRail always up to date. The connected device is automatically recognized by the app. New updates are directly queried from the server when connected to the Internet thus the update process is very simple and functional.
EHEIM Digital Connect
This app allows you to connect, set up, and manage various EHEIM digital aquarium devices from your smartphone or tablet. Customize settings for optimal results and ensure your devices are always up-to-date for a thriving aquatic environment.
- Connect and manage digital aquarium devices
- Customize device settings
- Update device firmware
- Control filters, lighting, heaters, and more
- Monitor aquarium components
Read full descriptionHide full description
EHEIM Digital Connect App – Your Aquarium Smartly Connected Simplicity and Control at Your Fingertips The EHEIM Digital Connect App revolutionizes the way you manage your aquarium. With intuitive operation and a simple touch of a button, you can connect, set up, and manage your EHEIM Digital devices at a new level. Effortlessly update your devices to always benefit from the latest features. To ensure smooth communication and updates of the devices, it is strongly advised to ALWAYS set the latest device from the EHEIM digital family as the master. Customization for Optimal Results Tailor the settings of your EHEIM Digital devices to meet your personal needs. Whether it's external filters, LED lighting, aquarium heaters, pH control, feeders, climate control, or UV clarifiers – control and monitor all components conveniently from your smartphone or tablet. Intuitive Management for a Perfect Aquarium Experience an intuitive and efficient way to manage your aquarium. Keep track of your devices and improve the living conditions for your aquatic inhabitants. Compatibility and Future-Proofing The EHEIM Digital Connect App supports all current and future EHEIM Digital devices, ensuring that your investment is protected for the future. Supported Devices: - EHEIM Digital External Filters: EHEIM professionel 5e, EHEIM classicVARIO+e - EHEIM Digital Lighting Control: EHEIM RGBcontrol+e, EHEIM classicLEDcontrol+e, EHEIM LEDcontrol+e / EHEIM LEDcontrol+ - EHEIM LED Lighting: EHEIM classicLED daylight, EHEIM classicLED plants, EHEIM powerLED+ fresh plants, EHEIM powerLED+ fresh daylight, EHEIM powerLED+ marine actinic, EHEIM powerLED+ marine hybrid, EHEIM powerRGB, EHEIM incpiria furniture lighting - EHEIM Digital Aquarium Heaters: EHEIM thermocontrol+e - EHEIM Digital Climate Control: EHEIM climacontrol+ - EHEIM Digital pH Control: EHEIM pHcontrol+e - EHEIM Digital Feeder: EHEIM autofeeder+ - EHEIM Digital UV Clarifier: EHEIM reeflexUV+e Download the EHEIM Digital Connect App and discover how easy and efficient managing your aquarium can be.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Z21Updater at 5.0 against EHEIM Digital Connect's 1.7. Z21Updater also leads on review sentiment (50% vs 15%). EHEIM Digital Connect's advantage is update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 28 months) and ratings volume (12 vs 1). 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Z21Updater holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 1.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: EHEIM Digital Connect has 12 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 50% of Z21Updater's written reviews are positive against 15% of EHEIM Digital Connect's.
Z21Updater ships an update every 28 months, EHEIM Digital Connect every 5 weeks. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.
| Parameter | Z21Updater | EHEIM Digital Connect |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better | 1.7 (12 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews — better | 14.8% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 1 | 12 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 28 months | Every 5 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 13.4 | 13.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 29 MB | 47 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Modelleisenbahn GmbH | Eheim GmbH & Co. KG |
Customer experience
Z21Updater
EHEIM Digital Connect
In-app purchases
Z21Updater
No in-app purchases
EHEIM Digital Connect
No in-app purchases
