Comparison

iAquaLink vs SmartThings

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

Head to head
About

iAquaLink

Control and monitor your swimming pool equipment remotely from your mobile device. Adjust settings like pump speed, temperature, and lighting, and automate cleaning schedules. Offers comprehensive management for various pool systems and accessories.

Highlights
  • Remote pool equipment monitoring and control
  • Schedule and operate pumps
  • Control pool and spa heating
  • Automate pool lighting
  • Manage saltwater chlorinators
  • On-demand robotic pool cleaner control
  • Temperature monitoring and adjustment
Features
Read full description

Pool Control in the Palm of your Hand With iAquaLink, you can monitor and control a full range of industry-leading swimming pool equipment anytime, anywhere. iAquaLink offers the ultimate in intelligent pool control from a mobile device - empowering pool owners and professionals to create the perfect pool experience on-site or on-the-go. SUPPORTED EQUIPMENT AquaLink TCX | Pool or Spa Automation Quick, Easy Smart Pool Upgrade:: • Schedule and operate Jandy or Pentair VS Pumps
 • Heat your Pool or Spa with Gas Heat, Heat Pump, and Solar Heat
 • Easily automate lights with wireless switch support
 • Smart communication with Saltwater Chlorinators
 • Feature Circuits for simple water feature setup
 • Use Bluetooth for full setup and operation when Internet is unavailable
 AquaLink RS, PDA, Z4 | Pool & Spa Automation Anytime, Anywhere Control: • Heat up your Spa, adjust sanitizer generation, even manage multiple pools
 • Control up to 32 pool/spa features including lights, waterfalls, and jets
 • Set the mood automatically with OneTouch Scene selection
 iQPUMP01 | Variable-Speed Pump Control Optimize Pump Operation: • Set custom pump speeds
 • Set custom schedules
 • Monitor power usage
 ALPHA, VRX, EPIC, Evo and 9 series | Robotic Pool Cleaner On demand Cleaning: • Wi-Fi connectivity – control from anywhere, at any time
 • Cleaning modes selection
 • Remote control mode*
 • Easy Lift removal system*
 *Features vary by model Z400iQ, Z550iQ | Connected Heat Pump Optimized Temperature Control: • Air and water temperature monitoring
 • Set custom temperatures for heating and cooling
 • Mode Selection
 eXO iQ / Hydroxinator iQ / Duo iQ | Salt Water Chlorinator
All-in-one water quality control: • Automatic maintenance of water balance (with optional pH Link or Dual Link modules)
 • Control of the filtration pump (single speed or Zodiac variable speed)
 • Control of heating system
 • Control of pool lights (white or Zodiac color Led)
 • Hydroxinator iQ model delivers magnesium-based water treatment for an unparalleled bathing experience

About

SmartThings

Unify and manage all your smart home devices from a single application. Connect hundreds of brands, create custom scenes and routines, and control your home remotely. Monitor energy usage and even get meal planning assistance.

Highlights
  • Connect and control devices from multiple brands
  • Create custom scenes and routines
  • Remote home monitoring and control
  • Automated notifications and status updates
  • Voice control with Google Assistant
  • Energy tracking and saving features
  • Smart cooking and meal planning assistance
Features
Read full description

Quickly and easily connect and control your smart home devices through SmartThings. SmartThings is compatible with 100s of smart home brands. So, you can control all of your smart home gadgets in one place, including your Samsung Smart TV and smart home appliances. With SmartThings, you can connect, monitor and control multiple smart home devices quicker and easier. Connect your Samsung smart TVs, smart appliances, smart speakers and brands like Ring, Nest and Philips Hue - all from one app. Then control your smart devices using voice assistants including Google Assistant [Key Features] - Control and check in on your home from wherever you are - Connect your smart devices across many different brands to work together by setting ‘scenes’ - Build routines that are set on time, weather, and device status, so your home runs smoothly in the background - Allow shared control by giving access to other users - Receive status updates about your devices with automated notifications - Talk to your devices using Google Assistant - Track, monitor and save money on energy with SmartThings Energy. See how much your home and compatible Samsung devices cost to run, and try various energy saving features, such as AI saving mode, or schedule devices to run during off peak hours. - Receive recipe recommendations by scanning meal kits, wine, and meat. Plan, shop and prep meals with the help of SmartThings Cooking ※ Some features may not be available in all countries. [App requirements] Some mobile devices may not be supported. - iOS 17.0 or later / iPhone XR or later / iPad 6 or later ※ App permissions The following permissions are required for the app service. For optional permissions, the default functionality of the service is turned on, but not allowed. [Optional access permissions] • Apple Health : Used to sync with Apple Health data to give you better Family Care insights • Apple Music : Used to read music album information • Bluetooth : Used to scan for nearby devices using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) • Camera: Used to scan QR codes so you can easily add members and devices to SmartThings • Contacts : Used to get phone numbers of your contacts to send text message notifications • Location : Used to locate your devices, create routines based on your location, and scan for nearby devices using Wi-Fi • Local Network : Used to find Wi-Fi connected devices • Microphone: Used to add certain devices to SmartThings using high-frequency sounds • Notification : Used to provide notifications about SmartThings devices and features • NFC : Used to check information about devices that you intend to connect • Photos : Used to play photos and videos on SmartThings devices • Voice recognition : Used to convert voice to text

Screenshots

iAquaLink4 screens
SmartThings4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: SmartThings at free against iAquaLink's free with in-app purchases. SmartThings also leads on chart position (#5 vs unranked) and ratings volume (845K vs 100K). iAquaLink's advantage is iOS requirement (13.2 vs 17.0). On price, rating, review sentiment and update cadence 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for iAquaLink against 4.6 for SmartThings. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SmartThings has 845K ratings behind it against 100K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 28% of iAquaLink's written reviews are positive against 31% of SmartThings's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

iAquaLink ships an update every 2 months, SmartThings monthly. Both last shipped on October 19, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
iAquaLink versus SmartThings: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameteriAquaLinkSmartThings
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (100K ratings) — better4.6 (845K ratings)
Positive reviews28.2% of reviews30.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings100K845K — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
Best chart rank—#5 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch
Requires iOS13.2 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size41 MB887 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperZodiac Pool Systems, Inc.Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Customer experience

iAquaLink

All ratings100,051 ratings
Positive93.0%
Neutral2.4%
Negative4.6%
Written reviews588 reviews
Positive28.2%
Neutral12.2%
Negative59.5%

SmartThings

All ratings845,252 ratings
Positive89.1%
Neutral2.9%
Negative8.0%
Written reviews7,634 reviews
Positive30.7%
Neutral6.5%
Negative62.8%

User reviews

iAquaLink

From 100K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Easy to control pool and spa remotely
  • 👍 Convenient for monitoring pool status
  • 💡 Good integration with Alexa
  • 🔒 Reliable connectivity when hardwired

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent connectivity issues and app crashes
  • 👎 Limited functionality in the app compared to web interface
  • 💤 Slow response times and laggy performance
  • 🤯 Confusing and outdated user interface

SmartThings

From 845K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Remote control functionality
  • 📚 Laundry cycle recommendations
  • 🤖 Automation and scheduling capabilities
  • 🔧 Customizable settings

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent disconnections and crashes
  • ⏱️ Slow and laggy performance
  • 🔍 Difficulty connecting and configuring devices
  • 🤔 Confusing and unintuitive user interface
  • 🔒 Privacy concerns with location tracking

Bugs and requests

iAquaLink

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • App freezes and loses connection to pool equipment
  • Inability to re-add previously connected devices
  • Unreliable firmware updates causing issues
  • Inconsistent display of pool status and settings

Requested features

4 requests
  • Customizable dashboard and one-touch controls
  • Notifications for pool events (e.g., robot full, temperature reached)
  • Improved scheduling and automation options
  • Better integration with smart home platforms

SmartThings

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Inability to add or remove devices
  • Inconsistent device status updates
  • Notifications not working as expected

Requested features

4 requests
  • Ability to control TV without remote
  • Improved photo/artwork management for Frame TV
  • More advanced automation and scheduling options
  • Better integration with other smart home platforms

In-app purchases

None

iAquaLink

No in-app purchases

None

SmartThings

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is iAquaLink free?
iAquaLink is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is SmartThings free?
SmartThings is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, iAquaLink or SmartThings?
iAquaLink is rated higher. iAquaLink averages 4.7 out of 5 from 100K ratings, while SmartThings averages 4.6 from 845K ratings.
Do iAquaLink or SmartThings have ads?
Neither iAquaLink nor SmartThings shows ads.
Which is updated more often, iAquaLink or SmartThings?
iAquaLink ships an update every 2 months, and SmartThings monthly. Most recently, iAquaLink was updated on October 19, 2026 and SmartThings on October 19, 2026.

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