AquaChek Connect vs PoolChem Tracker
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
AquaChek Connect
This app uses photo capture technology to scan test strips and provide personalized pool water treatment recommendations. It offers features like test result history, a water volume calculator, and maintenance reminders to simplify pool care.
- Photo capture test strip scanning
- Personalized treatment recommendations
- Test result history
- Water volume calculator
- Maintenance reminders
- Email/print test results
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Take no chances with your pool—get expert results and treatment recommendations with AquaChek Select Connect. The free, user-friendly app uses innovative photo capture technology to digitally scan the test strip to provide a personalized water treatment recommendation. And no registration required. Spend more time enjoying your pool and less time maintaining it! For use with the app-enabled test strips in the AquaChek Select Connect Starter Kit which includes: • Complete Pool & Spa Care Guide from our water quality experts • 7-in-1 test strips supporting App photo capture or manual read • Reusable UV and water-resistant color chart You can then purchase the Select Connect Refill to continue using the app-enabled test strips without having to purchase the Select Connect Starter Kit again. App Features: • In-App emailing or printing of test results • Pool test history • Built-in water volume calculator • Ability to manually enter the values • Set pool maintenance reminders • Complete illustrated instructions • FAQ’s and Photo Capture Help • Links to AquaChek.com so you can find a shop near you to buy the test strips, or find additional information We would like to hear from you! If you have any feedback that will help us enhance the app in future releases, please email us at ContactAquaChek@hach.com or use the feedback feature included in the app. Note: Verify calculations with the product label of the chemicals intended to be used. Instructions on the product package take precedence over the recommendations made by the app. Follow all label instructions for proper chemical handling, storage, and application. AquaChek® is a registered trademark of Hach Company. The application is for end users that have already purchased or are looking to purchase the test strips supported within the AquaChek Select Connect Application. The app is a resource for pool or hot tub owners.
PoolChem Tracker
This app provides precise pool chemical dosing recommendations based on your test results and pool size. It calculates a health score for your water and offers a prioritized action list to maintain balance. Works offline with no account required.
- Precise dosing recommendations
- Pool Health Score (0-100)
- Prioritized action list
- CYA-adjusted chlorine targets
- LSI calculator
- Chemical inventory tracking
- Offline functionality
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Stop guessing. Start knowing. Enter your water test results and get exact dosing recommendations for your pool size: what to add, how much, and in what order. A simple Pool Health Score (0-100) shows you where your water stands at a glance. No account. No ads. No internet required. Your data stays on your device. Works with chlorine pools, saltwater (SWG) pools, and all pool types. Imperial and Metric units supported. Free: includes 5 complete water test logs • Precise chemical doses calculated for your pool size • Pool Health Score with prioritized treatment steps to avoid overcorrecting • CYA-adjusted chlorine targets • Log FC, TC, pH, Total Alkalinity, Calcium Hardness, CYA, Salt, Iron, Copper, and Phosphates • Full LSI (Langelier Saturation Index) calculator • Smart validation to catch typos before saving • Equipment maintenance tracker with reminders for skimmer, pump basket, filter, and SWG cell • Chemical inventory tracking • Built-in reference guide with recommended ranges • Automatic light and dark mode Pro: one-time purchase, no subscription • Unlimited water test history • Charts and long-term trend tracking • Detailed Health Score breakdown with per-parameter analysis • Trend detection with actionable insights • Six climate zone presets for more accurate water balance targets • Borate tracking (30-50 ppm target range) • Maintenance history and custom maintenance schedules • Advanced reminders with custom intervals • Liquid chlorine and muriatic acid concentration settings • Advanced LSI factor breakdown with a "What If?" simulator • CSV export and import Built by a pool owner who wanted accurate, straightforward chemistry guidance without the guesswork or the subscription fee.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: PoolChem Tracker at 100% against AquaChek Connect's 10%. PoolChem Tracker also leads on rating (4.6 vs 3.2) and update cadence (every 5 days vs every 2 months). AquaChek Connect's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ratings volume (1.2K vs 8). On price, ads, monetization model and device support 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. PoolChem Tracker sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. AquaChek Connect asks for nothing beyond the download.
PoolChem Tracker holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: AquaChek Connect has 1.2K ratings behind it against 8, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 10% of AquaChek Connect's written reviews are positive against 100% of PoolChem Tracker's.
AquaChek Connect ships an update every 2 months, PoolChem Tracker every 5 days. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.
| Parameter | AquaChek Connect | PoolChem Tracker |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.2 (1.2K ratings) | 4.6 (8 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 9.6% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 1.2K — better | 8 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 5 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 — better | 26.4 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 12 MB | 12 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Hach Company | Jeffrey Thompson |
Customer experience
AquaChek Connect
PoolChem Tracker
Bugs and requests
AquaChek Connect
Reported bugs
4 issues- Camera doesn't work on newer iPhones
- App crashes when trying to manually enter data
- Keeps prompting for update that doesn't exist
- Deletes user data after updates
Requested features
4 requests- Add metric unit support
- Improve photo capture functionality
- Provide more granular data entry options
- Bring back previous version's features
PoolChem Tracker
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
AquaChek Connect
No in-app purchases
PoolChem Tracker
- PoolChem Pro$4.99
Questions
Is AquaChek Connect free?
Is PoolChem Tracker free?
Which has better reviews, AquaChek Connect or PoolChem Tracker?
Do AquaChek Connect or PoolChem Tracker have ads?
Which is updated more often, AquaChek Connect or PoolChem Tracker?
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