# RainMachine vs SMRTscape Lighting

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: SMRTscape Lighting at none against RainMachine's 1. SMRTscape Lighting also leads on review sentiment (40% vs 14%) and rating (2.1 vs 1.8). RainMachine's advantage is update cadence (monthly vs every 9 months) and ratings volume (617 vs 14). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. RainMachine sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $29.99 per year. SMRTscape Lighting asks for nothing beyond the download.

SMRTscape Lighting holds the better App Store score, 2.1 against 1.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: RainMachine has 617 ratings behind it against 14, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 14% of RainMachine's written reviews are positive against 40% of SMRTscape Lighting's.

RainMachine ships an update monthly, SMRTscape Lighting every 9 months. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | RainMachine | SMRTscape Lighting |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [1.8 (617 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rainmachine/id647589286/reviews) | **[2.1 (14 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smrtscape-lighting/id1028167259/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **617** | 14 |
| Positive reviews | 14.3% of reviews | **40.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Monthly** | Every 9 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 33 MB | 28 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 13.4 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [RainMachine](https://appshunter.io/developer/647589469) | [The Toro Company](https://appshunter.io/developer/625274713) |

## What reviewers say

### RainMachine

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rainmachine/id647589286)

Control your smart sprinkler system from your iPhone or iPad. Dynamically adjust watering schedules based on local weather data to save water and maintain a healthy garden. Manage zones, set restrictions, and snooze or pause watering remotely.

**Highlights:** Cloud independent smart sprinkler control, Dynamic weather-based watering schedules, Remote access and control, Water saving technology, Zone and program management, Snooze and pause watering

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| RainMachine Premium | $29.99 | per year |


### SMRTscape Lighting

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smrtscape-lighting/id1028167259)

Control your low voltage landscape lighting and features remotely. This app, when paired with an internet gateway, allows for automation and management of outdoor elements from any mobile device.

**Highlights:** Cloud-based control, Automate landscape lighting, Control from any mobile device, Works with internet gateway, Manage outdoor features

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is RainMachine free?

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

### Is SMRTscape Lighting free?

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

### Which has better reviews, RainMachine or SMRTscape Lighting?

SMRTscape Lighting is rated higher. RainMachine averages 1.8 out of 5 from 617 ratings, while SMRTscape Lighting averages 2.1 from 14 ratings.

### Do RainMachine or SMRTscape Lighting have ads?

Neither RainMachine nor SMRTscape Lighting shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, RainMachine or SMRTscape Lighting?

RainMachine ships an update monthly, and SMRTscape Lighting every 9 months. Most recently, RainMachine was updated on November 1, 2026 and SMRTscape Lighting on November 5, 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.*
