Comparison

RainMachine vs TexasET

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

TexasET

This application calculates crop water needs based on growth stage and real-time weather data. It allows for daily or 14-day forecasts, automatically incorporating rainfall data. Users can also set weekly irrigation reminders.

Highlights
  • Crop water requirement calculation
  • Growth stage selection
  • Real-time weather data integration
  • 14-day water requirement forecast
  • Automatic rainfall inclusion
  • Customizable rainfall data
  • Weekly irrigation reminders
Features
Read full description

The TexasET app calculates the water requirements for crops based upon the growth stage selected. It uses real-time weather data from stations on the TexasET Network (texasET.tamu.edu). Water requirements may be determined for one day or up to 14 days. Rainfall at the selected weather station is automatically included in the calculations, but can be modified if local amounts are different. Weekly reminders of irrigation recommendations may be set up.

Screenshots

RainMachine4 screens
TexasET3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: TexasET at 3.0 against RainMachine's 1.8. TexasET also leads on review sentiment (50% vs 14%) and in-app purchases (none vs 1). RainMachine's advantage is ratings volume (613 vs 2) and update cadence (monthly vs every 2 months). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. TexasET asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

TexasET holds the better App Store score, 3.0 against 1.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: RainMachine has 613 ratings behind it against 2, 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 50% of TexasET's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

RainMachine ships an update monthly, TexasET every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 19, 2026 and June 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
RainMachine versus TexasET: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRainMachineTexasET
PriceFreeFree
Rating1.8 (613 ratings)3.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews14.3% of reviews50.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings613 — better2
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS12.012.0
Further details — not scored
Size33 MB79 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRainMachineMatrix Software, Inc.

Customer experience

RainMachine

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

TexasET

All ratings2 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

RainMachine

Subscriptions1
  • RainMachine Premium$29.991 Year
None

TexasET

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is RainMachine free?
RainMachine is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is TexasET free?
TexasET is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, RainMachine or TexasET?
TexasET is rated higher. RainMachine averages 1.8 out of 5 from 613 ratings, while TexasET averages 3.0 from 2 ratings.
Do RainMachine or TexasET have ads?
Neither RainMachine nor TexasET shows ads.
Which is updated more often, RainMachine or TexasET?
RainMachine ships an update monthly, and TexasET every 2 months. Most recently, RainMachine was updated on September 19, 2026 and TexasET on June 1, 2026.

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