# Rivian vs Hydra Charging

The clearest difference is rating: Hydra Charging at 5.0 against Rivian's 4.4. Hydra Charging also leads on monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases) and iOS requirement (15.6 vs 18.0). Rivian's advantage is ratings volume (1.4K vs 2) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 6 weeks). On price, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

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

Hydra Charging holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Rivian has 1.4K ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 45% of Rivian's written reviews are positive against 50% of Hydra Charging's.

Rivian ships an update every 3 weeks, Hydra Charging every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 7, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Rivian | Hydra Charging |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.4 (1.4K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rivian/id1570215232/reviews) | **[5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hydra-charging/id6741762419/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **1.4K** | 2 |
| Positive reviews | 45.1% of reviews | **50.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Every 6 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | **#207** | — |
| Size | 419 MB | 108 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **15.6** |
| Devices | iPhone, Apple Watch | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Rivian](https://appshunter.io/developer/1394739758) | [Hydra Charging Network Private Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/1795434343) |

## What reviewers say

### Rivian

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rivian/id1570215232)

**Currently charting:** #207 Top Free · Travel (US App Store)

Control and manage your electric vehicle with your smartphone. Use your phone as a key, monitor charging, plan trips with charging stops, and access vehicle support and service. Keep your vehicle updated and ready for your next adventure.

**Highlights:** Phone as vehicle key, Remote lock/unlock, Remote climate control, Trip planning with charging stops, Charger and point of interest map, Vehicle status monitoring, Service and roadside assistance

**Features:** Apple Wallet, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Great app design
- 👍 Useful features like climate control and charging management
- 💎 Continuously improving with updates
- 🔒 Secure phone-as-a-key functionality

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Connectivity and reliability issues
- 🔍 Limited functionality compared to Tesla app
- 🔋 High battery drain on phone
- 🕰️ Slow app response times

**Reported bugs**

- Widgets disappearing after app updates
- Inconsistent phone-as-a-key performance
- Charging status not updating correctly

**Requested features**

- Remote access to cameras and Gear Guard videos
- Ability to control more vehicle functions like windows, frunk, and charge port
- Integration with Apple Watch and other smart devices
- Customizable charge scheduling and energy cost tracking


### Hydra Charging

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hydra-charging/id6741762419)

Easily find, book, and start EV charging sessions. Monitor your charge in real-time, pay securely, and locate available stations quickly. Enjoy a faster, safer, and more convenient charging experience.

**Highlights:** Ultra-fast charging speeds up to 120kW, Effortless QR code scanning to start charging, Real-time charging monitoring dashboard, Instant charger availability and location, Hassle-free payments via Razorpay, Advanced safety protocols, User-friendly and intuitive interface

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Rivian free?

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

### Is Hydra Charging free?

Hydra Charging is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Rivian or Hydra Charging?

Hydra Charging is rated higher. Rivian averages 4.4 out of 5 from 1.4K ratings, while Hydra Charging averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.

### Do Rivian or Hydra Charging have ads?

Neither Rivian nor Hydra Charging shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Rivian or Hydra Charging?

Rivian ships an update every 3 weeks, and Hydra Charging every 6 weeks. Most recently, Rivian was updated on November 7, 2026 and Hydra Charging on November 4, 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.*