Comparison

Mars Hydro vs PAR Meter

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

Head to head
About

Mars Hydro

Control your smart grow system with this app. Manage LED lights, ventilation, and monitor environmental data like CO2, temperature, and humidity for optimal plant growth. Automate your entire grow kit to mimic natural conditions.

Highlights
  • LED light control with timers and simulation
  • Ventilation system management
  • Complete grow kit automation via iHub
  • Environmental data monitoring (CO2, temp, humidity, PPFD)
  • Sunrise and sunset simulation
Read full description

The Mars Pro app is launched for a new intelligent control system your smart grow system and data monitoring, which includes the marhydro led grow light,inline fan,iHub. Welcome to experience the upgraded version through our website: www.mars-hydro.com Advanced Features: • LED Control: Manage your LED lights with ease, featuring on/off switches, timers, sunrise and sunset simulation, and PPFD (Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density) detection for optimal light management. • Ventilation System Control: Equipments can be controlled with timers, on/off switches, schedules, and cycles to maintain perfect air circulation. • Complete Automation: Use the iHub to program your entire grow kit, setting up automation programs that mimic natural environment grows. • Comprehensive Environmental Data: Monitor and store vital growing environment data, including CO2 levels, temperature, humidity, and PPFD, ensuring you have all the information needed for a successful grow.

About

PAR Meter

Features
Read full description

Is your plant getting enough light? PAR Meter tells you in seconds. It measures the light your plants actually use, as PPFD right now and as DLI over the whole day. Pick your plant type and the gauges show green, yellow or red, together with advice on what to do. WHAT YOU GET • PPFD in µmol/m²/s, the light at the canopy right now • DLI in mol/m²/day, the total light per day for your light period • A recommended band on the gauges for your plant type • Clear advice: move the lamp, dim it, or change the hours • Lux and foot-candles as well PLANT TYPES Houseplants, orchids, succulents, seedlings, cuttings, microgreens, leafy greens, herbs, root vegetables, fruits and berries, fruiting vegetables, and high light plants in the vegetative and flowering stages. Each with its recommended light range. WORKS WITH ANY LIGHT LED grow lights, daylight, household LED, fluorescent, HPS, MH and CMH, or your own µmol per lux factor. The right light source type is what makes the reading accurate. MADE FOR GROWERS • Logarithmic gauge, precise both on a dim windowsill and under a strong lamp • Hold button to freeze the reading before you take the phone out from the plants • Save measurements with time and comments, and re-read them for another plant or light period • Calibration for even better accuracy HOW TO USE Hold a white paper at the top of your plants, facing the light, and point the camera at it. Set your light period per day to get the DLI, and select the plant type for recommendations. WHY IT MATTERS Plants do not grow on lux. They grow on PAR, the light between 400 and 700 nm that photosynthesis can use. Too little gives pale, stretched growth. Too much wastes electricity and burns leaves. Measuring lets you hang your lamp at the right height, find the dark corners, and compare lamps. FREE TO USE Measuring PPFD, DLI and lux under daylight and white LED is free, with no time limit and no ads. The other light source types, saving measurements and calibration are available with a one-time fee or subscription, still at a fraction of the cost of a dedicated PAR meter. Privacy Policy, https://contechity.com/par-meter/pp.html End User License Agreement, https://contechity.com/par-meter/eula.html DEDICATED SUPPORT Your feedback helps improve the app. Contact us at apps@contechity.com for support or suggestions. Turn your phone into a grow light meter today and give your plants the light they need.

Screenshots

Mars Hydro4 screens
PAR Meter4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Mars Hydro at none against PAR Meter's 2. PAR Meter's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly 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. PAR Meter sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Mars Hydro asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Mars Hydro ships an update every 2 months, PAR Meter fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 27, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Mars Hydro versus PAR Meter: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMars HydroPAR Meter
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.6 (34 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews26.9% of reviews—
Number of ratings34 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS15.015.0
Further details — not scored
Size52 MB43 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMARS TRADING RCC, INC.Contechity AB

In-app purchases

None

Mars Hydro

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

PAR Meter

Subscriptions1
  • Full Access (Month)7 Days trial$1.991 Month
One-time1
  • Full Access (Lifetime)$20.00

Questions

Is Mars Hydro free?
Mars Hydro is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is PAR Meter free?
PAR Meter is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Mars Hydro or PAR Meter have ads?
Neither Mars Hydro nor PAR Meter shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Mars Hydro or PAR Meter?
Mars Hydro ships an update every 2 months, and PAR Meter fortnightly. Most recently, Mars Hydro was updated on October 27, 2026 and PAR Meter on October 29, 2026.

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