Comparison

Reefability vs Aquarium Notepad

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

Head to head
About

Reefability

This AI-powered app offers scientific precision for managing coral reef aquariums. It analyzes microbiome health, water chemistry, and light optimization, and can identify issues from tank photos. It provides tools for hobbyists and professionals to maintain thriving reef ecosystems.

Highlights
  • AI-driven analysis of reef tank health
  • Smart photo diagnostics for issue identification
  • Evidence-based solutions and recommendations
  • Ecosystem stability insights
  • Professional tools for reef stores and professionals
  • Integrated parameter monitoring
Features
Read full description

The reef app that sees your whole tank. Reefability connects your chemistry, livestock, light, flow, microbiome and dosing, so every answer takes your entire reef into account. Built for reef tanks only, by reefers who did the research first. Reefability was the first AI-powered reef aquarium app, and it has now been rebuilt from the ground up as Reefability Symbiosis. YOUR TANK, BUILT RIGHT Guided tank setup, drawn live as you go, with the true water volume after sand and rock Cycling mode and Quarantine mode, each with the tools that stage needs Farm and grow-out tanks, plus connected systems that share one body of water REEF MAP Turn one front photo into a 3D model of your real rockwork Place your lights and pumps, then tap any spot for estimated PAR and flow Every coral is graded against the light and flow where it actually sits CHEMISTRY AND NUTRIENTS Log readings by voice, by photo of your test kit, or from your controller Upload ICP and DOC lab reports and see risks and trends on the same charts Ideal ranges that follow your tank, so a soft coral reef isn't held to SPS numbers See whether your filtration keeps up with your bioload, and which method does the work DOSING 400+ supplements from 27 brands, with strengths taken from each maker's label Dose suggestions based on your latest test and your water volume Connected dosers, bottle tracking and reminders Captiv8, Triton, Red Sea and Modern Reef dosing methods LIVESTOCK AND CORALS Add animals by name, by photo, or by scanning your store receipt Care sheets for 500+ species, with bioload and tankmate warnings before you buy Coral Growth: a photo every two weeks tracks size, pace and color over time Compatibility reports that show what to expect before you add an animal PESTS AND MICROBIOME Identify pests from photos, pin them on your 3D tank, and follow them until they're gone A microbiome care score, with guided recovery after medication or a deep clean SAFETY PLANS Weather and air quality alerts for your area, turned into prep lists sized for your tank Smoke warnings if your skimmer pulls in outdoor air Know how many hours your pumps will run on backup power PEOPLE AROUND YOUR REEF Sitter mode: give a sitter a simple code, daily tasks and a help button Experts: book a video call with a reef expert who sees your tank data ahead of time Reefers: share your tank, ask the community and join testing challenges FOR STORES, FARMS AND MAINTENANCE COMPANIES Team mode: manage staff with their own access codes, assign tasks per tank, and keep client tank details and routes in one place REEFER AI An assistant that reads your entire tank, not just one number Charts on demand when numbers need a picture Talk out loud when your hands are wet, and leave voice notes CONNECTED Works with reef controllers and test devices, including Neptune Apex, GHL, Red Sea, CoralVue Hydros, Aquarino, Jabao, Focustronic, Aquawiz and Xepta. Available in multiple languages.

About

Aquarium Notepad

Manage your aquariums with detailed tracking of water parameters, maintenance schedules, and measurements. This app offers comprehensive tools for serious aquarists to maintain optimal conditions and keep thorough records of their aquatic environments.

Highlights
  • Water parameter tracking
  • Maintenance task scheduling
  • Measurement logging
  • Multiple aquarium support
  • Data import/export
  • Charts and analytics
Features
Read full description

Professional aquarium management made simple. Track water parameters, maintenance tasks, and measurements for your aquarium with comprehensive tools designed for serious aquarists. Features: • Water parameter tracking and history • Maintenance task scheduling with notifications • Measurement logging and trends • Multiple aquarium support • Data import/export capabilities • Beautiful charts and analytics Perfect for both beginners and experienced aquarium enthusiasts who want to maintain optimal water conditions and keep detailed records of their aquatic environments.

Screenshots

Reefability4 screens
Aquarium Notepad3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Aquarium Notepad at 100% against Reefability's 33%. Aquarium Notepad also leads on rating (5.0 vs 3.0) and in-app purchases (none vs 9). Reefability's advantage is ratings volume (32 vs 2). 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. Reefability sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Aquarium Notepad asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Aquarium Notepad holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Reefability has 32 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 33% of Reefability's written reviews are positive against 100% of Aquarium Notepad's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Reefability ships an update every 2 days, Aquarium Notepad every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 11, 2026 and October 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Reefability versus Aquarium Notepad: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterReefabilityAquarium Notepad
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.0 (32 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews33.3% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings32 — better2
Update frequencyEvery 2 days — betterEvery 3 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.0.012 — better
Further details — not scored
Size85 MB35 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperReefabilityQuantum Technologies Limited Liability Company

Customer experience

Reefability

All ratings32 ratings
Positive46.9%
Neutral3.1%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews30 reviews
Positive33.3%
Neutral13.3%
Negative53.3%

Aquarium Notepad

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

9 purchases

Reefability

Subscriptions4
  • 1-Month2 Months trial$9.991 Month
  • Controller plan (monthly)$11.991 Month
  • 12-Month$34.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Controller plan (annual)$49.991 Year
One-time5
  • Day pass$1.99
  • 5 tank rebuilds$2.99
  • Week pass$4.99
Show 2 more
  • 15 tank rebuilds$6.99
  • Month pass$12.99
None

Aquarium Notepad

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Reefability free?
Reefability is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Aquarium Notepad free?
Aquarium Notepad is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Reefability or Aquarium Notepad?
Aquarium Notepad is rated higher. Reefability averages 3.0 out of 5 from 32 ratings, while Aquarium Notepad averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.
Do Reefability or Aquarium Notepad have ads?
Neither Reefability nor Aquarium Notepad shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Reefability or Aquarium Notepad?
Reefability ships an update every 2 days, and Aquarium Notepad every 3 days. Most recently, Reefability was updated on October 11, 2026 and Aquarium Notepad on October 5, 2026.

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