Comparison

ntfy vs SmartHomeQR

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

Head to head
About

ntfy

This app allows you to send push notifications to your phone from scripts or other applications using simple HTTP requests. It acts as a client for a free, open-source pub-sub service, enabling you to receive alerts and updates directly on your device.

Highlights
  • Send notifications via REST API
  • Subscribe to topics
  • Publish messages via HTTP
  • Integrates with Bash/PowerShell
  • Free and open source client
Features
Read full description

Send push notifications to your phone from any Bash or PowerShell script, or from your own app using PUT/POST requests, e.g. via curl on Linux or Invoke-WebRequest. ntfy is a client for https://ntfy.sh, a free and open source HTTP-based pub-sub service. You can subscribe to topics in this app, and then publish messages via a simple HTTP API. Uses: * Notify yourself when a long-running process is done * Ping your phone when a backup has failed * Alerts when someone logs into your server Example: $ curl -d "Your backup is done" ntfy.sh/mytopic Find more examples and usage instructions here: https://ntfy.sh/docs

About

SmartHomeQR

Effortlessly manage smart home device QR codes and setup information. Automatically parse codes, organize devices by home and room, and quickly find what you need for setup or re-pairing. Works offline and syncs via iCloud for secure, private access.

Highlights
  • Smart QR code parsing
  • Organize by home and room
  • Capture and store QR codes
  • Instant device search
  • Offline functionality
  • iCloud sync
Features
Read full description

SmartHomeQR is a simple, secure app for storing and organizing all your smart home device QR codes and setup codes in one place. Whether you're setting up a new home or managing dozens of devices, SmartHomeQR keeps everything organized and instantly accessible. SMART QR CODE PARSING • Automatically extracts setup codes, serial numbers, and pairing info • Detects device protocol (HomeKit, Matter, Z-Wave, Zigbee, Thread) • Identifies manufacturer and model from QR codes • Reads text from device labels using advanced OCR • Works with Schlage, Ring, Google Nest, Philips Hue, and more ORGANIZE BY HOME & ROOM • Create multiple homes (house, apartment, office, vacation home) • Organize devices by room (living room, kitchen, bedroom, etc.) • Quick visual overview of all your devices CAPTURE & STORE QR CODES • Photograph QR codes directly from device packaging • Import existing photos from your library • Store manual setup codes (8-digit pairing codes) • High-quality image storage for reliable scanning FIND DEVICES INSTANTLY • Search across all homes and rooms • Filter by device category (lights, locks, thermostats, etc.) • View fullscreen QR codes ready to scan BUILT FOR RELIABILITY • iCloud sync keeps your codes safe and synced across all devices • Works offline - your codes are always accessible • No account required - just install and start organizing • Privacy-focused: your data stays on your devices and iCloud PERFECT FOR • HomeKit and Matter device setup • Smart home enthusiasts with many devices • Property managers handling multiple locations • Anyone tired of searching for device packaging SmartHomeQR is designed to be installed once and forgotten - until you need it. Simple, reliable, and always there when you need to set up or re-pair a device. No subscriptions. No limits. Just one simple in app purchase. Got multiple smart home QR codes? We got you. Got multiple homes? We got you. Got multiple devices per room? We got you. Buy once. Use forever. No monthly fees, ever. Your data stays on your device - your control, your privacy. Download SmartHomeQR today and never hunt for a setup code again.

Screenshots

ntfy2 screens
SmartHomeQR4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: ntfy at none against SmartHomeQR's 1. ntfy also leads on ratings volume (488 vs 3) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). SmartHomeQR's advantage is update cadence (every 4 days vs fortnightly) and rating (5.0 vs 4.8). On price, 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. SmartHomeQR sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. ntfy asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

SmartHomeQR holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ntfy has 488 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ntfy ships an update fortnightly, SmartHomeQR every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
ntfy versus SmartHomeQR: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterntfySmartHomeQR
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (488 ratings)5.0 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews78.9% of reviews—
Number of ratings488 — better3
Update frequencyFortnightlyEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size3 MB14 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPhilipp HeckelVishut Dhar

Customer experience

ntfy

All ratings469 ratings
Positive93.6%
Neutral1.7%
Negative4.7%
Written reviews175 reviews
Positive78.9%
Neutral5.7%
Negative15.4%

SmartHomeQR

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

ntfy

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Notifications not working on iOS
  • Broken click URLs in notifications
  • Compatibility issues with iOS notification summarizing

Requested features

5 requests
  • Ability to change notification sounds
  • Support for Apple Watch
  • Customizable topic names/aliases
  • Improved iOS notification handling
  • All topics view and read/unread indicators

SmartHomeQR

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

ntfy

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

SmartHomeQR

One-time1
  • Premium Unlock$6.99

Questions

Is ntfy free?
ntfy is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is SmartHomeQR free?
SmartHomeQR is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, ntfy or SmartHomeQR?
SmartHomeQR is rated higher. ntfy averages 4.8 out of 5 from 488 ratings, while SmartHomeQR averages 5.0 from 3 ratings.
Do ntfy or SmartHomeQR have ads?
Neither ntfy nor SmartHomeQR shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ntfy or SmartHomeQR?
ntfy ships an update fortnightly, and SmartHomeQR every 4 days. Most recently, ntfy was updated on November 3, 2026 and SmartHomeQR on October 30, 2026.

Other comparisons