# Pulse Grow vs Mars Hydro

The clearest difference is rating: Pulse Grow at 3.9 against Mars Hydro's 2.6. Pulse Grow also leads on review sentiment (46% vs 24%) and update cadence (fortnightly vs monthly). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

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

Pulse Grow holds the better App Store score, 3.9 against 2.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 29 and 27 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 46% of Pulse Grow's written reviews are positive against 24% of Mars Hydro's.

Pulse Grow ships an update fortnightly, Mars Hydro monthly. The most recent releases landed on July 7, 2026 and August 11, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Pulse Grow | Mars Hydro |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[3.9 (29 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pulse-grow/id1497259672/reviews)** | [2.6 (27 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mars-hydro/id6479227564/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **29** | 27 |
| Positive reviews | **46.2% of reviews** | 23.8% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Monthly |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 34 MB | 45 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Pulse Labs, Incorporated](https://appshunter.io/developer/1483297180) | [MARS TRADING RCC, INC.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1726858942) |

## What reviewers say

### Pulse Grow

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pulse-grow/id1497259672)

Monitor your grow environment remotely, tracking temperature, humidity, and light. Receive custom alerts and log your progress with integrated journaling to optimize your plant growth.

**Highlights:** Remote environmental monitoring, Temperature and RH tracking, Light monitoring, VPD calculation, Customizable alerts, Integrated journaling

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Mars Hydro

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mars-hydro/id6479227564)

Control your smart grow system with this app. Manage LED lights, ventilation, and monitor environmental data like CO2, temperature, and humidity for optimal plant growth. Automate your entire grow kit to mimic natural conditions.

**Highlights:** LED light control with timers and simulation, Ventilation system management, Complete grow kit automation via iHub, Environmental data monitoring (CO2, temp, humidity, PPFD), Sunrise and sunset simulation

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Pulse Grow free?

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

### Is Mars Hydro free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Pulse Grow or Mars Hydro?

Pulse Grow is rated higher. Pulse Grow averages 3.9 out of 5 from 29 ratings, while Mars Hydro averages 2.6 from 27 ratings.

### Do Pulse Grow or Mars Hydro have ads?

Neither Pulse Grow nor Mars Hydro shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Pulse Grow or Mars Hydro?

Pulse Grow ships an update fortnightly, and Mars Hydro monthly. Most recently, Pulse Grow was updated on July 7, 2026 and Mars Hydro on August 11, 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.*