Comparison

SmartLink Network 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

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.

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

SmartLink Network4 screens
Hunter NODE4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Hunter NODE at 3.1 against SmartLink Network's 2.4. Hunter NODE also leads on monetization model (free vs ad-supported) and ratings volume (59 vs 11). SmartLink Network's advantage is iOS requirement (15.1 vs 17.0). On price, review sentiment, update cadence and ads 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Hunter NODE holds the better App Store score, 3.1 against 2.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Hunter NODE has 59 ratings behind it against 11, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 27% of SmartLink Network's written reviews are positive against 23% of Hunter NODE's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SmartLink Network ships an update every 3 weeks, Hunter NODE fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 13, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
SmartLink Network versus Hunter NODE: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSmartLink NetworkHunter NODE
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.4 (11 ratings)3.1 (59 ratings) — better
Positive reviews26.7% of reviews — better22.9% of reviews
Number of ratings1159 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationAd-supportedFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.1 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size47 MB127 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperWeathermaticHunter Industries

Customer experience

SmartLink Network

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

Hunter NODE

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

In-app purchases

None

SmartLink Network

No in-app purchases

None

Hunter NODE

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SmartLink Network free?
SmartLink Network is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Hunter NODE free?
Hunter NODE is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, SmartLink Network or Hunter NODE?
Hunter NODE is rated higher. SmartLink Network averages 2.4 out of 5 from 11 ratings, while Hunter NODE averages 3.1 from 59 ratings.
Do SmartLink Network or Hunter NODE have ads?
Neither SmartLink Network nor Hunter NODE shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SmartLink Network or Hunter NODE?
SmartLink Network ships an update every 3 weeks, and Hunter NODE fortnightly. Most recently, SmartLink Network was updated on September 13, 2026 and Hunter NODE on September 21, 2026.

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