Comparison

RainMachine vs Hunter NODE

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

Head to head
About

RainMachine

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
Read full description

Say hello to the RainMachine - the Cloud Independent Smart Wi-Fi Forecast Sprinkler. There are no fees associated with using the RainMachine device or the RainMachine iOS app. RainMachine Premium Services is an entirely optional service that improves the experience of accessing the device remotely through our RainMachine Cloud Servers. The same features are available without Premium Services subscription and remote access can be configured through Direct-Access (Port Forwarding). The RainMachine iOS app connects your iPhone/iPad to your RainMachine hardware and allows you to control and adjust your watering cycles, change zones and program properties, set restriction, enable weather services, snooze device or pause watering. RainMachine app allows you to interact with your garden when at home and remotely from anywhere. SAVES WATER You bet. Allow billion dollar weather satellites to dynamically adjust your watering schedule, while maintaining a healthy garden. Free, accurate and local weather data using technology already paid for. Your tax money at work! REMOTE ACCESS Control, adjust and supervise all your garden irrigation from the palm of your hand. Intuitive user interface allows you to change all watering properties. Remote Access through the RainMachine Cloud Servers requires yearly Premium Services subscription, but remote access through your own internet router Direct Access (Port Forwarding) feature is free and does not require cloud servers access or any subscription. REQUIREMENTS: RainMachine iOS app requires the RainMachine sprinkler controller device available at rainmachine.com Note: Some features may be available only for RainMachine devices sold starting 2015.

About

Hunter NODE

Control your landscape irrigation system remotely via Bluetooth. This app allows for easy programming, scheduling, and monitoring of watering cycles without needing to access the valve box. Manage multiple controllers, set custom schedules, and receive important status updates directly on your smartphone.

Highlights
  • Remote controller management
  • Custom watering schedules
  • Manual irrigation control
  • Sensor activation
  • Controller status monitoring
  • Offline schedule editing
  • Controller event logs
Features
Read full description

NODE-BT is a Bluetooth®-enabled, app-configured irrigation controller from Hunter Industries that lets you automatically irrigate any plant material lacking AC power and not having to open the valve box! NODE-BT is quick to install, and swift to program and operate. The app provides convenient features originally on NODE, now with new enhancements all accessed from a smartphone. This means no more crossing traffic to get to roadway medians, searching for controllers in overgrown bushes, and opening dirty and potentially dangerous valve boxes. This app allows you to: • Remotely manage unlimited NODE-BT controllers up to 50' (15 m) away • Manually start, stop, or suspend irrigation for up to 99 days • Configure watering schedules with 3 programs and 8 start times each • Activate rain or soil moisture sensors, and set monthly seasonal adjust • See controller status, total watering and next start times, watering calendar, and irrigation logs • View battery health and signal status • Set battery change reminders every 3, 6, 9, or 12 months • Pin controllers on a map for faster locating • Copy and paste schedules from controller to controller for faster setup • View and edit irrigation schedules offline • View controller event logs and share with other members • Assign images and rename stations and controllers • Add a passcode to each controller for additional security The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG Inc. and any use of such marks by Hunter Industries is under license.

Screenshots

RainMachine4 screens
Hunter NODE4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Hunter NODE at 3.1 against RainMachine's 1.8. Hunter NODE also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and review sentiment (23% vs 14%). RainMachine's advantage is ratings volume (613 vs 59) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 17.0). On price, update cadence, ads 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Hunter NODE holds the better App Store score, 3.1 against 1.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: RainMachine has 613 ratings behind it against 59, 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 23% of Hunter NODE's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

RainMachine ships an update monthly, Hunter NODE fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 19, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
RainMachine versus Hunter NODE: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRainMachineHunter NODE
PriceFreeFree
Rating1.8 (613 ratings)3.1 (59 ratings) — better
Positive reviews14.3% of reviews22.9% of reviews — better
Number of ratings613 — better59
Update frequencyMonthlyFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS12.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size33 MB127 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRainMachineHunter Industries

Customer experience

RainMachine

All ratings613 ratings
Positive18.4%
Neutral2.6%
Negative79.0%
Written reviews154 reviews
Positive14.3%
Neutral6.5%
Negative79.2%

Hunter NODE

All ratings59 ratings
Positive45.8%
Neutral10.2%
Negative44.1%
Written reviews35 reviews
Positive22.9%
Neutral8.6%
Negative68.6%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

RainMachine

Subscriptions1
  • RainMachine Premium$29.991 Year
None

Hunter NODE

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is RainMachine free?
RainMachine is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Hunter NODE free?
Hunter NODE is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, RainMachine or Hunter NODE?
Hunter NODE is rated higher. RainMachine averages 1.8 out of 5 from 613 ratings, while Hunter NODE averages 3.1 from 59 ratings.
Do RainMachine or Hunter NODE have ads?
Neither RainMachine nor Hunter NODE shows ads.
Which is updated more often, RainMachine or Hunter NODE?
RainMachine ships an update monthly, and Hunter NODE fortnightly. Most recently, RainMachine was updated on September 19, 2026 and Hunter NODE on September 21, 2026.

Other comparisons