Comparison

LYNK smart control vs Reef Pilot

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

Head to head
About

LYNK smart control

Control your Giesemann smart aquarium devices with this user-friendly app. It offers easy setup, online monitoring, and various lighting programs like sunrise/sunset and weather simulation. Receive helpful notifications and acclimate new aquarium setups with guided programs.

Highlights
  • User-friendly WIFI interface
  • Easy setup
  • Online monitoring
  • Preset lighting programs
  • Sunrise/sunset simulation
  • Acclimation program
  • Power outage notifications
Features
Read full description

The brand new Giesemann LYNK App provides a user friendly WIFI interface for all Giesemann smart devices like the new AURORA V-8. Features include easy set up, professional mode, online monitoring, data base and many other functions for all Giesemann WIFI products. Your Giesemann device doesn't require a permanent internet connection as it runs stand-alone. It just may be connected with your router during setup or even may adjusted by its own WIFI access point. The LYNK app provides a number of preset lighting programs as well as additional features including sunrise/sunset, lunar cycle, clouds and other weather simulation. The app offers as well an acclimation program for new aquarium setups. LYNK provides comfortable guidelines during setup and as well as useful notifications in the event of power outage. LYNK will be updated to include additional smart aquarium devices as they become available.

About

Reef Pilot

Control your modern saltwater aquarium lighting directly from your smartphone. Adjust intensity, color channels, and schedules for optimal coral and fish conditions.

Highlights
  • Bluetooth connection
  • Control StratonX aquarium light
  • Adjust lighting intensity
  • Manage color channels
  • Set time schedules
  • Intuitive smartphone control
Read full description

Reef Pilot App – our expertise for your reef. Control your Straton X conveniently from your smartphone. The new ATI Reef Pilot App for iOS guides you from initial setup to natural lighting for your aquarium. The right light from the start Based on your aquarium dimensions and the number of lights, the app recommends intensity and spectrum settings – for an easy start and lighting tailored to your corals. Keep track of light intensity at every depth Calculated PAR values show you the expected light intensity at different water depths, helping you choose suitable spots for your corals. The natural rhythm of your favourite reef Bring the lighting conditions of renowned reef locations into your aquarium, with a natural lunar cycle, changing moon phases and optional seasonal adjustments to day length. The moon simulation automatically synchronises with sunset in your aquarium.

Screenshots

LYNK smart control4 screens
Reef Pilot4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: LYNK smart control at 46% against Reef Pilot's 0%. LYNK smart control also leads on iOS requirement (13.6 vs 15.0). Reef Pilot's advantage is update cadence (daily vs every 6 weeks). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

LYNK smart control ships an update every 6 weeks, Reef Pilot daily. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
LYNK smart control versus Reef Pilot: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLYNK smart controlReef Pilot
PriceFreeFree
Rating1.5 (2 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews46.2% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksDaily — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.6 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size40 MB31 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGiesemann Lichttechnik und Aquaristik GmbHATI Aquaristik GmbH

Customer experience

LYNK smart control

All ratings2 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%
Written reviews13 reviews
Positive46.2%
Neutral7.7%
Negative46.2%

Reef Pilot

Written reviews2 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

In-app purchases

None

LYNK smart control

No in-app purchases

None

Reef Pilot

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is LYNK smart control free?
LYNK smart control is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Reef Pilot free?
Reef Pilot is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do LYNK smart control or Reef Pilot have ads?
Neither LYNK smart control nor Reef Pilot shows ads.
Which is updated more often, LYNK smart control or Reef Pilot?
LYNK smart control ships an update every 6 weeks, and Reef Pilot daily. Most recently, LYNK smart control was updated on November 3, 2026 and Reef Pilot on October 30, 2026.

Other comparisons