GridCarbon vs GridPulse
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
GridCarbon
Monitor the real-time carbon intensity of the UK electricity grid. Understand how electricity generation sources change and identify times when using power is more environmentally friendly. Reduce your carbon footprint by shifting energy consumption to periods of lower grid emissions.
- Real-time carbon intensity updates
- Traffic light indicator for intensity levels
- Generation mix summary
- 24-hour carbon intensity plot
- Interactive generation mix chart
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Track the carbon intensity of the GB electricity grid on your iPhone or iPad Demand for electricity varies throughout the day, and thus, the mix of generators supplying this electricity continually changes. As a result, the carbon intensity of the electricity – the quantity of CO2 produced for 1 kWh of electricity consumed – also varies continually. Deferring your use of electricity to off-peak times, when the carbon intensity is low, can help reduce your carbon footprint. Features: - Data updated every 5 minutes. - Display of instantaneous carbon intensity (gCO2/kWh). - Traffic light indicator to highlight period of low and high carbon intensity. - Generation mix summary showing total and percentage supply by type. - Line plot showing carbon intensity over the previous 24 hours. - Interactive bar chart showing the generation mix over the previous 24 hours.
GridPulse
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When you plug in an appliance, where is the electricity actually coming from? Most of us never think about it, but the UK electricity grid’s fuel mix changes constantly. One hour it could be 60% wind, and a few hours later it could be mostly gas. The carbon intensity of your electricity can vary drastically depending on exactly when you use it. Same socket, same appliance, very different impact. GridPulse is a simple, no-nonsense utility designed to tell you exactly when the grid is greenest, right down to your local postcode. Whether you are deciding when to put the washing on, run the dishwasher, or plug in the EV, GridPulse gives you the data you need to reduce your personal carbon footprint with just a glance at your phone or watch. Key Features: - Live Local Carbon Intensity: See the exact carbon impact of the grid right now, hyper-localized to your specific UK postcode. - Smart Forecasts: Don't just look at the present. View the daily forecast to see exactly what time the grid will be the greenest so you can plan your heavy appliance usage. - Real-Time Fuel Mix: See exactly what is powering the grid at any given moment—breaking down wind, solar, nuclear, gas, and international interconnectors. - Glanceable Widgets: Includes clean, native iOS Home Screen widgets and Apple Watch complications so you don't even need to open the app to know if it's a good time to use energy. A Few Honest Caveats: - This won't save you money: Unless you are on a highly specific dynamic tariff, your energy provider may charge you the same amount per kWh regardless of whether the grid is running on wind or gas. This app is purely designed to help you reduce your personal carbon footprint. - UK Only: This app uses the live NESO (National Energy System Operator) API, meaning it only provides data for Great Britain. GridPulse is a free, independent project built to solve a simple problem: making the actual cost of our energy usage more transparent.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: GridPulse at every 2 days against GridCarbon's every 4 months. GridCarbon's advantage is iOS requirement (12.0 vs 17.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
GridCarbon ships an update every 4 months, GridPulse every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on June 8, 2026 and September 18, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | GridCarbon | GridPulse |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.2 (6 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 75.7% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 6 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | Every 2 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 10 MB | 5 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Alex Rogers | Bence Osvath |
In-app purchases
GridCarbon
No in-app purchases
GridPulse
No in-app purchases








