SF311 vs POPLIGHT
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
SF311
Report quality of life issues in San Francisco with ease. Submit photos, descriptions, and locations to get problems like graffiti or potholes addressed faster. Track the status of your reports and receive completion notifications.
- Report quality of life issues
- Submit photos and location
- Track case status
- Receive completion notifications
- Direct routing to agencies
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The Convenience of an App. The Support of a Real Person. Report potholes, graffiti, broken streetlights, and other non-emergency issues in San Francisco in seconds. Add a photo, and the app suggests the right category and fills in details like vehicle license plates, saving you time. Your report goes straight to the City departments for resolution. Built for Everyone Professionally translated by native speakers in English, Traditional Chinese, Spanish, Filipino, and Vietnamese. Meets WCAG accessibility standards. Never Alone Questions about your report or need to flag something the app doesn’t cover? Dial 311 from within San Francisco to speak with a real SF311 representative.
POPLIGHT
This app provides a convenient and affordable way to achieve the look of wall lighting without the complexities of traditional installation. It's ideal for renters concerned about damage and homeowners seeking a simpler, less expensive alternative.
- Easy installation
- No mess or expense
- Removable for renters
- Cost-effective for homeowners
- Protects security deposits
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Poplight is the deal wall light for those who want the convenience and look of wall lighting without the hassle, mess, or expense of installing traditional wall sconces. If you rent your space: Poplight won't risk your security deposit and easily removes when it's time to move (plus you can re-install Poplight at your next place). If you own your place: Poplight is easier and less expensive to install than traditional wall sconces.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: SF311 at 2.8 against POPLIGHT's 1.6. SF311 also leads on review sentiment (28% vs 7%). POPLIGHT's advantage is ratings volume (147 vs 5) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
SF311 holds the better App Store score, 2.8 against 1.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: POPLIGHT has 147 ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 28% of SF311's written reviews are positive against 7% of POPLIGHT's.
SF311 ships an update every 2 months, POPLIGHT every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | SF311 | POPLIGHT |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 2.8 (5 ratings) — better | 1.6 (147 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 27.7% of reviews — better | 7.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 5 | 147 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 3 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 26.0 | 13.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 12 MB | 117 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | San Francisco 311 | Poplight LLC |
Customer experience
SF311
POPLIGHT
Bugs and requests
SF311
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
POPLIGHT
Reported bugs
74 issues- Lights not turning on/off
- App losing connection frequently
- Lights turning off by themselves
- Timer not working
- Grouping lights not working correctly
Show 69 moreShow fewer
- App not remembering settings
- Battery percentage inaccurate
- Lights unsyncing from app
- Bluetooth connectivity issues
- App crashing or freezing
- Error messages when using app
- Difficulty re-syncing lights
- Light temperature not adjustable
- App prompts to refresh constantly
- Back button inconsistent
- Lights get stuck on previous timer
- App controls only one of two lights
- Lights not responding to app commands
- App doesn't open to control screen
- Physical buttons on lamp are touchy
- Lights randomly unsynced
- Buttons not reactive, require multiple taps
- Cannot remove timer once set
- Cannot adjust hour setting on custom timer
- Grouping lights prevents individual control
- App doesn't show correct light color
- Support offered no solutions
- Lights not working without app
- App not working well
- Lights lose connection to app frequently
- Lights turn off unexpectedly
- Timer set to 30 mins but lights turn off
- Batteries fully charged but lights turn off
- Light temp feature not working
- Issues getting light to respond to connect to apps
- Level included was empty
- App has major problems with design
- Bluetooth got worse when grouped
- App is v1 and feels that way
- Only one person can connect to lights
- Basic bugs need to be fixed
- App is really glitchy
- Light temp is not warm enough
- App is near-impossible to use
- Have to delete and re-add lights every time
- Light not working after charging
- App can't find pop light via Bluetooth
- App is THE WORST
- Have to unsync and re-sync lights every day
- App not user-friendly
- Step after step to turn light on and off
- Main issue is light won't turn on/off outside app
- Takes multiple hits to turn on/off
- Warm setting is still very cool
- App design is more style over substance
- Constantly lose connection with lamp via app
- Have to go into Adjust Settings, re-connect, then turn on/off
- Graphics are not great UI
- App needs redesign
- App has major problems with how it's designed
- Doesn't open with a screen to turn on/off
- Easier to change color of icon than turn on
- Dropdown to select lights is finicky
- Timer function doesn't have good feedback
- Not clear if timer is one-time or recurring
- No product documentation
- Keeps prompting to refresh app
- Grouped lights not linked to physical lamp
- Bluetooth got worse when grouped
- Lights feel and look cheap
- Color tone is limited
- Light occasionally turns off on its own
- App has major problems with how it's designed
- App is rife with bugs
Requested features
13 requests- Apple HomeKit integration
- Widget for quick control
- Remote control accessory
- Darker light temperature option
- Improved timer functionality
Show 8 moreShow fewer
- Ability to control all lights at once
- In-app notifications for low battery
- More intuitive on/off button placement
- Integration with Google/Apple/Alexa
- Automation options for lights
- Ability to customize timers more
- Easier renaming of lights
- Better feedback on timer status
In-app purchases
SF311
No in-app purchases
POPLIGHT
No in-app purchases
