Comparison

ACI DSIM vs PoolCheck

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

Head to head
About

ACI DSIM

Features
Read full description

DSIM Bluetooth Controller _ The app helps control DSIM through Bluetooth 4.0 devices _ In the app, you can monitor parameters, collect data from DSIM and apply changes _ Auto/Manual reload data from bluetooth when doing more RF tuning

About

PoolCheck

Easily test your pool or spa water by photographing your test strips. Get clear chemical dosing instructions, including product amounts and order, to maintain optimal water balance. This app offers a private, ad-free experience with optional in-app purchase to remove ads.

Highlights
  • Photograph test strips for automatic reading
  • Chemical dose calculator with step-by-step plans
  • Calculates gallons from pool dimensions
  • Tracks test history and local weather forecasts
  • Supports various pool types and finishes
  • Private by design, no account required
Features
Read full description

PoolCheck is a free pool test strip reader and pool chemical dose calculator for backyard pool and spa owners. Photograph your test strip, confirm the readings, and get a clear dose plan: which products to add, how much, and in what order. No account and no sign-up. The app opens straight to your pool. READ YOUR TEST STRIP • Take a photo of your strip with your iPhone or iPad camera, or pick one from your photo library. PoolCheck lines up each pad with the color chart and suggests a reading for you. • Color matching runs on your phone. Your strip photos are not uploaded. • Each suggestion is marked so you can check it against the chart on the bottle. Low-confidence pads are flagged or left blank rather than guessed. • Prefer a drop kit? Type your numbers in by hand. EVERY READING THAT MATTERS • Free chlorine (FC) and total chlorine (TC) • pH • Total alkalinity (TA) • Calcium hardness (CH) • Cyanuric acid (CYA / stabilizer) • Bromine for bromine pools and spas A POOL DOSE CALCULATOR THAT SHOWS ITS WORK • A step-by-step plan for your gallons: product, amount, and an everyday measure such as "about 1½ 5 lb bags". • Adds are listed in a safe order: alkalinity, then pH, then sanitizer or shock, then stabilizer, then hardness. • Retest timing for each step, and a confirm screen so you check every number before you pour. • Your free chlorine target is set from your CYA level, not a one-size 1–3 ppm range. • Combined chlorine (TC − FC) is calculated, and PoolCheck suggests a shock toward breakpoint when it is 0.5 ppm or higher. • At-a-glance status for pH, alkalinity, hardness, chlorine and CYA, each marked low, high or OK. BUILT FOR YOUR POOL • Chlorine, saltwater (chlorine generator), bromine and spa. • Vinyl, plaster and fiberglass finishes. • Know your gallons? Type them in. Don't? The pool volume calculator estimates gallons from shape (rectangle, oval, round or kidney), length, width and average depth. • Pick the chemical brand on your shelf. Doses use popular pool-chemical brands or generic store products. • Optional shop links help you find a product online. HISTORY, WEATHER AND HELP • Every completed test is saved with the date on your device. Tap one to reopen it, or swipe to delete it. • Add your ZIP code for a short local forecast and a heads-up to retest after heavy rain. • A built-in Help & FAQ explains strip reading, CYA and chlorine, combined chlorine, and pool volume. • Send feedback straight from the app. PRIVATE BY DESIGN • No account, no password and no cloud profile. Settings, history and purchases stay on your device. • Strip photos are read on your phone and never uploaded. FREE, WITH AN OPTIONAL UPGRADE PoolCheck is free to download and use, and supported by ads on the results screen. A one-time $4.99 in-app purchase removes ads. It is not a subscription. Already bought it? Your purchase is restored automatically from the App Store on this device. WHO IT'S FOR Homeowners who test their own pool or hot tub with strips or a drop kit and want a quick, clear answer to "what do I add?" It's also a handy second check for anyone who looks after a pool. IMPORTANT PoolCheck is a reading and planning aid. Test strips are approximate, so confirm big changes with a drop test kit or your pool store. Add one chemical at a time, never mix chemicals, and always follow the product label. As an Amazon Associate, PoolCheck earns from qualifying purchases made through shop links. Questions or ideas? Use Send feedback in the app. We read every message.

Screenshots

ACI DSIM4 screens
PoolCheck4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: ACI DSIM at none against PoolCheck's 1. ACI DSIM also leads on iOS requirement (11.0 vs 15.0). On price, update cadence, ads 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. PoolCheck sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. ACI DSIM asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ACI DSIM ships an update every 3 weeks, PoolCheck fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and November 13, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
ACI DSIM versus PoolCheck: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterACI DSIMPoolCheck
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—2 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Free with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS11.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size59 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperACI Communications, IncChristopher Daniels

In-app purchases

None

ACI DSIM

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

PoolCheck

One-time1
  • Remove Ads$2.99

Questions

Is ACI DSIM free?
ACI DSIM is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is PoolCheck free?
PoolCheck is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do ACI DSIM or PoolCheck have ads?
Neither ACI DSIM nor PoolCheck shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ACI DSIM or PoolCheck?
ACI DSIM ships an update every 3 weeks, and PoolCheck fortnightly. Most recently, ACI DSIM was updated on November 3, 2026 and PoolCheck on November 13, 2026.

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