Merlino vs Plain
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Merlino
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The Merlino app is able to read and write the parameters of CPA Merlino WiFi iOT devices: chlorine generators, devices for reading and regulating pH and Rx, for the management of heaters, whirlpools, pumps, RGB lamps. The devices are seen as WiFi Access Points. The app user must select the WiFi of a device in the iPhone settings before opening the app and connecting to it. The WiFi device must be close to the iPhone, at most a few meters. The app allows you to simulate the connection to a device, if the device is not physically available, by turning off the iPhone's WiFi before running the app, in this way it is possible to verify all the app's functions.
Plain
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This app allows Wifi/BLE communication with Navel Plus Micronova IoT modules. This way it is possible to remotely or locally control the pellet stove connected to the Navel Plus. The supported functions are: Turning on/off Setting the room temperature Setting the main ventilation Setting the duct ventilation Setting the power Setting the daily and weekly timer function
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: Plain at every 10 days against Merlino's every 7 months. 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.
Merlino ships an update every 7 months, Plain every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on May 19, 2026 and June 7, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Merlino | Plain |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Update frequency | Every 7 months | Every 10 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 | 13.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 5 MB | 49 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | C.p.a s.r.l | MICRONOVA SRL |
In-app purchases
Merlino
No in-app purchases
Plain
No in-app purchases
