Comparison

Pool Doctor vs Pooli

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

Head to head
About

Pool Doctor

This powerful digital tool helps pool professionals and enthusiasts maintain their pools. Input your chemical readings, and it will provide precise instructions on what chemicals to add and why, supporting various pool types and units of measurement.

Highlights
  • Chemical level adjustment (chlorine, pH, alkalinity, etc.)
  • Supports regular, salt-water, and bromine pools
  • Multiple unit of measurement options
  • Customizable ideal ranges and chemicals
  • Saves reading and treatment records
  • Langelier Index calculation
  • Shock calculator
Features
Read full description

Thousands of professionals across the world already use Pool Doctor to keep their pools blue... you should too! This app is not for total beginners -- It is a powerful digital tool for professionals or enthusiasts. But don't worry! Instructions are constantly scrolling across the screen. Just enter whatever chemical readings you prefer using any test kit you own, and Pool Doctor will tell you exactly what chemicals to put into your pool and why. With Pool Doctor, you can adjust the chlorine, bromine, salt, pH, total alkalinity, calcium hardness, and even the cyanuric acid levels in all of your pools. You can even configure the ideal ranges and chemicals used to treat the pools (see screenshots). Pool Doctor gives all results and explanations in pounds, ounces, grams, kilograms, liters, gallons, or even in the number of scoops (you can enter custom scoop sizes); and changing units is as easy as pressing a button! This app supports regular, salt-water, or even bromine pools. Pool Doctor now saves basic reading and treatment records for all of your pools! Pool Doctor only shows you readings that apply to your pool type, so there is no unnecessary confusion! Pool Doctor will now calculate the Langelier Index automatically if you take all of the required readings! Pool Doctor now includes a shock calculator! Just enter the free and total chlorine levels, and Pool Doctor will automatically calculate how much of your preferred shock chemical is necessary to bring your pool to breakpoint chlorination.

About

Pooli

This app helps you maintain a clean and safe pool or spa with smart testing, tailored advice, and customized task lists. It offers advanced AI for instant feedback, problem resolution guidance, and comprehensive sanitization support. Track multiple pools, manage inventory, and even collaborate with others for effortless pool care.

Highlights
  • Smart water testing with manual entry or strip scanning
  • Interactive Calcite Saturation Index (CSI) tool
  • Tailored reports and expert maintenance advice
  • Advanced AI for instant pool questions
  • Customized task lists and reminders
  • Multi-pool and spa management
  • Chemical inventory tracking with restock reminders
Features
Read full description

Embark on your pool care journey with Pooli, the comprehensive, user-friendly app that transforms every user into a pool care expert. With a range of high-value features, Pooli ensures safe, clean, and enjoyable swimming all year round. Top Features: 1. Smart Testing: Use your favorite water test method and open the Pooli app. Manually enter the results or join the Pool Club to scan your test strip with your phone's camera. 2. Interactive CSI Tool: Utilize our interactive Calcite Saturation Index (CSI) tool for understanding and preventing potential issues. 3. Tailored Reports & Advice: Receive detailed pool water quality reports and expert maintenance advice catered to your pool size and type. 4. Advanced AI: Get instant feedback on your pool questions with our cutting-edge AI system. 5. Customized Task Lists: Enjoy tailored task lists, reminders, and user-defined water chemistry targets specific to your pool or spa needs. 6. Multi-Pool Management: Effortlessly track and manage multiple pools or spas. 7. Problem Resolution: Get guidance for identifying and resolving pool issues. 8. Comprehensive Sanitization Support: Support for all primary sanitization methods, complete with custom targets, dosages, and recommendations. 9. Analysis Tools: Use our tools to graph and analyze chemical levels and usage over time, calculate actual chemical demand, and optimize shock/sanitization schedules. 10. Chemical Atlas & Shop: Access our integrated atlas of chemicals and solutions, along with a shop for discounted testing and equipment. 11. Collaborative Tools: Team up with service providers or family members on pool maintenance. 12. Record Keeping: Maintain complete records of pool water tests and maintenance tasks and equipment readings. 13. Inventory Tracking and Sharing: Keep track of your chemical, equipment, and supply inventory with restock reminders. 14. Customizable Profiles: Share your pool and spa information through customizable user profiles. 15. Cost Calculators: Track your savings on chemicals and equipment, and monitor water consumption and potential leaks. 16. Gamified Experience: Have fun with pool care through our monthly high scores and achievement badges. 17. Offline Functionality: Access key features and information even without an internet connection. How Pooli Works: Using Pooli is as easy as a few taps on your screen. Simply open the app, use a test your pool water, and input the results manually or via Pooli's simple and accurate test strip scanning technology. Pooli then provides you with a detailed report and expert advice on maintaining your pool. You'll get customized task lists and reminders based on your pool's specific needs. Pooli even offers a collaborative feature to work with service providers or family members on pool maintenance. With Pooli, pool care becomes a breeze! Experience peace of mind knowing you're maintaining safe and clean water. Dive into a better pool care experience with Pooli today!

Screenshots

Pool Doctor4 screens
Pooli4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Pooli at Free against Pool Doctor's $19.99. Pooli also leads on review sentiment (87% vs 68%) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months). Pool Doctor's advantage is iOS requirement (11.0 vs 15.5). On rating, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases 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

Pooli is free to download; Pool Doctor costs $19.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Pooli holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 134 and 370 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 68% of Pool Doctor's written reviews are positive against 87% of Pooli's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Pool Doctor ships an update every 2 months, Pooli every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Pool Doctor versus Pooli: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPool DoctorPooli
Price$19.99Free — better
Rating4.4 (134 ratings)4.6 (370 ratings) — better
Positive reviews67.8% of reviews86.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings134370 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS11.0 — better15.5
Further details — not scored
Size7 MB122 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGazzini VenturesPooli, Inc.

Customer experience

Pool Doctor

All ratings134 ratings
Positive86.6%
Neutral3.0%
Negative10.4%
Written reviews90 reviews
Positive67.8%
Neutral6.7%
Negative25.6%

Pooli

All ratings370 ratings
Positive90.3%
Neutral3.0%
Negative6.8%
Written reviews150 reviews
Positive86.7%
Neutral3.3%
Negative10.0%

User reviews

Pool Doctor

From 134 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Easy to use and intuitive interface
  • 🎯 Accurate chemical calculations and recommendations
  • 💡 Customizable pool parameters and chemical selection
  • 📊 Helpful for pool maintenance beginners
  • 🔄 Multiple unit conversions (lbs, oz, kg, metric)

Room to improve

  • 🐛 App crashes frequently
  • ❌ Email functionality doesn't work
  • ⚠️ Inaccurate recommendations for some pool types
  • 🔧 Settings don't persist or sync across devices
  • 💸 Price increased from free to $20

Pooli

From 370 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Easy to use
  • 🚀 Helpful for maintaining pool/spa
  • 💡 Customizable features
  • 👍 Accurate water chemistry calculations
  • 👍 Useful reminders and tracking

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Inconsistent test strip scanning
  • 💰 Expensive subscription model
  • 🔍 Limited free features
  • 🐛 Bugs and glitches in the app

Bugs and requests

Pool Doctor

Reported bugs

9 issues
  • App crashes after entering readings
  • Phone keyboard won't close, preventing navigation
  • Entered values change automatically (pH decreases, chlorine increases)
  • Chemical settings don't save or remember user preferences
  • Recommendations ignore user-specified chemical concentrations
Show 4 more
  • Metric calculations don't work properly
  • App requires internet connection despite being offline-capable
  • Support page/links no longer available
  • Inconsistent shock chemical recommendations despite selection changes

Requested features

13 requests
  • Customizable input field order to match test kit order
  • Support for Baquacil pool products
  • Cyanuric acid reading support
  • Ability to select specific chemical types (liquid vs powdered chlorine)
  • Salt level adjustment based on salt water generator (SWG) ranges
Show 8 more
  • Support for additional chemicals like Borax for pH adjustment
  • Water temperature and wind data tracking
  • Graphing and historical data visualization
  • Multi-user sync for shared pool maintenance
  • Pool volume estimator tool
  • Support for hot tubs and spas
  • Metric-only interface for non-US users
  • More detailed information on calcium hardness and other parameters

Pooli

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Inventory management issues
  • Reminders triggering at inconvenient times

Requested features

4 requests
  • Ability to add equipment details and service history
  • Integration with calendar apps for reminders
  • More customization options for ideal water levels
  • Improved test strip scanning accuracy

In-app purchases

None

Pool Doctor

No in-app purchases

None

Pooli

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Pool Doctor free?
Pool Doctor costs $19.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Pooli free?
Pooli is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Pool Doctor or Pooli?
Pooli is rated higher. Pool Doctor averages 4.4 out of 5 from 134 ratings, while Pooli averages 4.6 from 370 ratings.
Do Pool Doctor or Pooli have ads?
Neither Pool Doctor nor Pooli shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Pool Doctor or Pooli?
Pool Doctor ships an update every 2 months, and Pooli every 3 weeks. Most recently, Pool Doctor was updated on October 7, 2026 and Pooli on October 13, 2026.

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