# GLOWRIUM vs ReefBay

The clearest difference is rating: ReefBay at 4.8 against GLOWRIUM's 2.4. ReefBay also leads on review sentiment (82% vs 48%) and update cadence (weekly vs every 2 months). GLOWRIUM's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and ads (none vs shown). On price and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. ReefBay sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. GLOWRIUM asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReefBay holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 2.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ReefBay has 455 ratings behind it against 35, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 48% of GLOWRIUM's written reviews are positive against 82% of ReefBay's.

GLOWRIUM ships an update every 2 months, ReefBay weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | GLOWRIUM | ReefBay |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.4 (35 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/glowrium/id6445907786/reviews) | **[4.8 (455 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/reefbay/id6478054386/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 35 | **455** |
| Positive reviews | 47.8% of reviews | **82.5% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Freemium |
| Size | 91 MB | 88 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 16.4 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Xingyang Hicent Technology Co., Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1696882724) | [Toolit Media LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1331221462) |

## What reviewers say

### GLOWRIUM

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/glowrium/id6445907786)

Control smart lighting devices via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Customize colors, set scenes, and simulate natural light changes throughout the day. Requires iOS 13.0+ and specific Bluetooth/Wi-Fi versions.

**Highlights:** Bluetooth and Wi-Fi control, Intelligent multi-area control, Spectrum setting and automatic operation, Independent color channel customization, Multi-scene preset lighting, Phased ecological simulation

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### ReefBay

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/reefbay/id6478054386)

Manage your saltwater aquarium with this app. Track water parameters, log inhabitants, and get task reminders. Connect with a community of hobbyists, explore a marketplace, and access guides for a thriving reef tank.

**Highlights:** Local marketplace for buying/selling, Explore coral and fish listings, Personalized tank profiles, Water parameter tracking, Community forums and support, Task reminders for maintenance, Aquarium guides and resources

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Wallet

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| ReefBay DeepDive | $4.99 | per month |
| ReefBay DeepDive | $4.99 | per month |
| ReefBay DeepDive | $29.99 | per year |
| ReefBay DeepDive | $39.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Intuitive and easy-to-use interface
- 📊 Comprehensive parameter tracking with visual graphs
- 🌐 Active community for sharing and learning
- 🛒 Integrated marketplace for buying/selling coral and equipment
- 💬 Social hub connecting reef keepers

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Coral identification feature is inaccurate
- 🎨 Inconsistent UI presentation and design
- ❌ Navigation dead ends and UI issues
- 📧 Excessive email notifications despite unsubscribing
- 🔐 Account deletion/data loss concerns

**Reported bugs**

- Coral ID misidentifies corals as fish
- App stopped working after update
- Cannot click create button due to text overlap
- Account mysteriously deleted
- Unsubscribe function not working for emails

**Requested features**

- Add ammonia and nitrite to water parameter tracking
- Improve coral identification accuracy
- Enhance UI consistency and presentation
- Better email notification management


## Frequently asked questions

### Is GLOWRIUM free?

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

### Is ReefBay free?

ReefBay is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, GLOWRIUM or ReefBay?

ReefBay is rated higher. GLOWRIUM averages 2.4 out of 5 from 35 ratings, while ReefBay averages 4.8 from 455 ratings.

### Do GLOWRIUM or ReefBay have ads?

ReefBay shows ads; GLOWRIUM does not.

### Which is updated more often, GLOWRIUM or ReefBay?

GLOWRIUM ships an update every 2 months, and ReefBay weekly. Most recently, GLOWRIUM was updated on October 15, 2026 and ReefBay on October 20, 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.*