Comparison

AquaChek Connect vs PoolChem Tracker

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • Photo capture test strip scanning
  • Personalized treatment recommendations
  • Test result history
  • Water volume calculator
  • Maintenance reminders
  • Email/print test results
Features
Read full description

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.

About

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.

Highlights
  • Precise dosing recommendations
  • Pool Health Score (0-100)
  • Prioritized action list
  • CYA-adjusted chlorine targets
  • LSI calculator
  • Chemical inventory tracking
  • Offline functionality
Features
Read full description

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

AquaChek Connect4 screens
PoolChem Tracker4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. PoolChem Tracker sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. AquaChek Connect asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

AquaChek Connect ships an update every 2 months, PoolChem Tracker every 5 days. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
AquaChek Connect versus PoolChem Tracker: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAquaChek ConnectPoolChem Tracker
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.2 (1.2K ratings)4.6 (8 ratings) — better
Positive reviews9.6% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1.2K — better8
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.6 — better26.4
Further details — not scored
Size12 MB12 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHach CompanyJeffrey Thompson

Customer experience

AquaChek Connect

All ratings1,233 ratings
Positive53.9%
Neutral2.0%
Negative44.0%
Written reviews281 reviews
Positive9.6%
Neutral5.7%
Negative84.7%

PoolChem Tracker

All ratings7 ratings
Positive85.7%
Neutral14.3%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

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

None

AquaChek Connect

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

PoolChem Tracker

One-time1
  • PoolChem Pro$4.99

Questions

Is AquaChek Connect free?
AquaChek Connect is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is PoolChem Tracker free?
PoolChem Tracker is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, AquaChek Connect or PoolChem Tracker?
PoolChem Tracker is rated higher. AquaChek Connect averages 3.2 out of 5 from 1.2K ratings, while PoolChem Tracker averages 4.6 from 8 ratings.
Do AquaChek Connect or PoolChem Tracker have ads?
Neither AquaChek Connect nor PoolChem Tracker shows ads.
Which is updated more often, AquaChek Connect or PoolChem Tracker?
AquaChek Connect ships an update every 2 months, and PoolChem Tracker every 5 days. Most recently, AquaChek Connect was updated on October 24, 2026 and PoolChem Tracker on October 24, 2026.

Other comparisons