# Alpena Auto vs Hostrol Smart

The clearest difference is rating: Hostrol Smart at 3.0 against Alpena Auto's 1.7. Hostrol Smart also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 6 months). Alpena Auto's advantage is ratings volume (125 vs 4) and review sentiment (13% vs 0%). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Hostrol Smart holds the better App Store score, 3.0 against 1.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Alpena Auto has 125 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 13% of Alpena Auto's written reviews are positive against 0% of Hostrol Smart's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Alpena Auto ships an update every 6 months, Hostrol Smart every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Alpena Auto | Hostrol Smart |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [1.7 (125 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/alpena-auto/id1565589074/reviews) | **[3.0 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hostrol-smart/id1603200410/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **125** | 4 |
| Positive reviews | **12.5% of reviews** | 0.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 47 MB | 26 MB |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 | 12.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Marklyn Group Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/1565589076) | [Shenzhen Sangshen E-commerce Co., Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1595774864) |

## What reviewers say

### Alpena Auto

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/alpena-auto/id1565589074)

This app allows you to control Alpena® automotive LED lighting products. Adjust power, dimming, and colors for RGB devices, and set up custom presets. Requires Bluetooth 4.0 or higher.

**Highlights:** Control power, Adjust dimming levels, Select RGB colors, Program preset options, Bluetooth 4.0+ connectivity

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🎨 Extensive customization options for individual light strips
- 🌈 Wide variety of color options and patterns available
- 💪 Durable hardware that survives harsh conditions
- ⚙️ Simple and intuitive app interface when working properly
- ✨ Impressive visual effects and lighting capabilities

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Persistent Bluetooth connectivity issues
- 📱 App frequently fails to recognize connected devices
- 🔌 Unreliable connection that drops unexpectedly
- ⚠️ Recent app updates introduced critical bugs
- 🔋 Lights drain vehicle battery when not properly controlled

**Reported bugs**

- App won't connect to found devices after scanning
- Clicking on found devices produces no response
- Lights show as connected but cannot be controlled
- Color selection limited to white after updates
- App freezes when switching between multiple light sets

**Requested features**

- Custom scene/pattern creation in app
- Music synchronization with lights
- Better app navigation and menu structure
- Strobe light functionality
- Ability to control multiple light sets without switching


### Hostrol Smart

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hostrol-smart/id1603200410)

Personalize your car's interior lighting with a wide range of colors and dynamic effects. Sync lighting to music, customize modes, and express your style on the road.

**Highlights:** Customizable interior lighting colors, Music synchronization for lighting effects, Velocity-based lighting adjustments, DIY mode for personalized settings, Color wheel for precise color selection

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Alpena Auto free?

Alpena Auto is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Hostrol Smart free?

Hostrol Smart is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Alpena Auto or Hostrol Smart?

Hostrol Smart is rated higher. Alpena Auto averages 1.7 out of 5 from 125 ratings, while Hostrol Smart averages 3.0 from 4 ratings.

### Do Alpena Auto or Hostrol Smart have ads?

Neither Alpena Auto nor Hostrol Smart shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Alpena Auto or Hostrol Smart?

Alpena Auto ships an update every 6 months, and Hostrol Smart every 3 weeks. Most recently, Alpena Auto was updated on October 16, 2026 and Hostrol Smart on October 8, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*