Comparison

RainMachine vs SmartLink Network

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

SmartLink Network

Manage your Weathermatic SmartLine irrigation system directly from your iPhone. This app allows you to control your system remotely, eliminating the need to visit the controller. Access global commands, monitor alerts, and generate client reports detailing water and cost savings.

Highlights
  • Remote irrigation system control
  • In-field remote functionality
  • Global command execution
  • System monitoring and alerts
  • Client water and cost savings reports
  • Browser access for full functionality
Read full description

Control your Weathermatic SmartLine landscape irrigation system from your iPhone with the SmartLink Network app. Walk-Site, your in-field remote, is BACK in the SmartLink App. Update or download today. Your phone is your remote. Eliminate trips to the controller. Get more done. 1-Click browser access also allows you full access to the power of SmartLink - global commands, inspections and proposals, monitor alerts, and generate reports for your clients detailing exactly how much water (and money) you’ve saved for them. SmartLink offers a solution to current labor challenges, increases profit margins, and positions your business as an industry leader in smart water technology, conservation, and sustainability practices.

Screenshots

RainMachine4 screens
SmartLink Network4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: SmartLink Network at 2.4 against RainMachine's 1.8. SmartLink Network also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and review sentiment (27% vs 14%). RainMachine's advantage is ratings volume (613 vs 11) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.1). 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. SmartLink Network asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

SmartLink Network holds the better App Store score, 2.4 against 1.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: RainMachine has 613 ratings behind it against 11, 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 27% of SmartLink Network's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

RainMachine ships an update monthly, SmartLink Network every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 19, 2026 and September 13, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
RainMachine versus SmartLink Network: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRainMachineSmartLink Network
PriceFreeFree
Rating1.8 (613 ratings)2.4 (11 ratings) — better
Positive reviews14.3% of reviews26.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings613 — better11
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesAd-supported — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size33 MB47 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRainMachineWeathermatic

Customer experience

RainMachine

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

SmartLink Network

All ratings11 ratings
Positive36.4%
Neutral9.1%
Negative54.5%
Written reviews45 reviews
Positive26.7%
Neutral8.9%
Negative64.4%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

RainMachine

Subscriptions1
  • RainMachine Premium$29.991 Year
None

SmartLink Network

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is RainMachine free?
RainMachine is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is SmartLink Network free?
SmartLink Network is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, RainMachine or SmartLink Network?
SmartLink Network is rated higher. RainMachine averages 1.8 out of 5 from 613 ratings, while SmartLink Network averages 2.4 from 11 ratings.
Do RainMachine or SmartLink Network have ads?
Neither RainMachine nor SmartLink Network shows ads.
Which is updated more often, RainMachine or SmartLink Network?
RainMachine ships an update monthly, and SmartLink Network every 3 weeks. Most recently, RainMachine was updated on September 19, 2026 and SmartLink Network on September 13, 2026.

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