Comparison

Smoke Point vs ARK

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

Head to head
About

Smoke Point

Locate new wildfires using camera networks and crowd-sourced data. Triangulate fire positions with uncertainty bounds and receive notifications for nearby observations to aid firefighters and citizens.

Highlights
  • Access 800+ camera images
  • Acquire position and directional observations
  • Triangulate fire position with uncertainty
  • Utilize crowd-sourced observations
  • Receive push notifications for new observations
Features
Read full description

Quickly locate the positions of new wild fires through the ALERTCalifornia and Alert Wildfire camera networks, your phone's camera, and crowd-sourced observations from nearby users. * Access information and live images from 800+ (and growing) ALERTCalifornia (http://alertca.live/) and Alert Wildfire (http://www.alertwildfire.org/) camera images * Acquire position and directional observations directly from your mobile device * Triangulate fire position with uncertainty bounds * Utilize your own observations as well as those shared by users nearby * Receive push notifications for new nearby observations Help firefighters and local citizens gain situational awareness in the early stages of new wildfires, when accurate and actionable information is scarce. Smoke Point is an app used by firefighters and the public to provide location information about new fires in the wildland. Smoke Point is purpose-built for triangulation of fire position using ALERTCalifornia and Alert Wildfire cameras and the phone's built-in camera.

About

ARK

Features
Read full description

ARK – Emergency Tools ARK – Emergency Tools is an Advanced Readiness Kit designed to help you stay prepared when traditional communication networks are unavailable. Built for emergency preparedness, disasters, and remote situations, ARK focuses on offline-first functionality, providing access to essential tools even when cellular service or internet connectivity is limited or unavailable. Designed for When Networks Fail Most apps depend on constant connectivity. ARK is built differently. Core features are designed to remain usable during: Natural disasters Power outages Remote or backcountry travel Infrastructure disruptions ARK helps you stay organized and prepared when conditions are uncertain and network reliability cannot be assumed. Offline-First by Design ARK prioritizes local operation, reliability, and simplicity. Essential features function using on-device capabilities, allowing the app to remain useful when connectivity is limited or unavailable. Some advanced communication features may require compatible external hardware to operate beyond standard device range. Hardware Compatibility ARK is designed to work independently on your device while also supporting optional hardware-based expansion. Certain extended-range or mesh-based communication capabilities may require compatible external hardware, which is not included with the app. Hardware availability and supported features may vary by region and configuration. The app remains functional without additional hardware, with expanded capabilities becoming available when supported devices are paired. Expandable Readiness Platform ARK is built as a modular preparedness platform. As the system evolves, future updates and optional hardware integrations may extend functionality while preserving reliability, clarity, and user control. This design allows ARK to scale from basic readiness tools to more advanced emergency use cases over time. Privacy & Local Control ARK is designed with privacy in mind. Data is stored locally on your device, and core functionality does not rely on constant cloud connectivity. This approach helps ensure availability and control when external services may be unreliable. Who ARK Is For Individuals and families preparing for emergencies Outdoor and remote travelers Professionals working in low-connectivity environments Anyone who values preparedness and self-reliance ARK does not replace emergency services. It is a preparedness tool designed to support readiness and organization when traditional systems are unavailable or unreliable.

Screenshots

Smoke Point4 screens
ARK4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Smoke Point at Free against ARK's $1.99. Smoke Point also leads on iOS requirement (15.5 vs 17.0). ARK's advantage is update cadence (every 10 days vs monthly). On ads, in-app purchases 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

Smoke Point is free to download; ARK costs $1.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Smoke Point ships an update monthly, ARK every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and November 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Smoke Point versus ARK: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSmoke PointARK
PriceFree — better$1.99
Rating4.7 (10 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings10 — better—
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 10 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.5 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size127 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGabriel SchineGaelon Swift

In-app purchases

None

Smoke Point

No in-app purchases

None

ARK

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Smoke Point free?
Smoke Point is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is ARK free?
ARK costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do Smoke Point or ARK have ads?
Neither Smoke Point nor ARK shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Smoke Point or ARK?
Smoke Point ships an update monthly, and ARK every 10 days. Most recently, Smoke Point was updated on November 3, 2026 and ARK on November 9, 2026.

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