Comparison

Pool vs Pool IQ

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

Head to head
About

Pool

This app guides users through spa and hot tub water chemistry using a professional-grade test kit methodology. It ensures the correct order of chemical additions, provides precise dose recommendations, and calculates the LSI score for optimal water balance. The app is designed for poolside use with a focus on privacy and safety.

Highlights
  • Step-by-step chemical balancing
  • Precise dose calculations
  • LSI score calculation
  • Chlorine and bromine modes
  • Wet-hand friendly interface
  • Local data storage
  • Safety guardrails
Features
Read full description

Stop guessing. Stop Googling. Pool-Proof walks you step-by-step through a complete spa or hot tub water chemistry session using Taylor K-2006 Platinum test kit methodology — the gold standard used by pool professionals. THE RIGHT ORDER, EVERY TIME Water chemistry is order-dependent. Balancing pH before alkalinity causes instability. Adding chlorine when pH is acidic corrodes equipment. Pool-Proof enforces the correct sequence: Free Chlorine, Total Alkalinity, pH, Calcium Hardness. Every time, without fail. PRECISE DOSE RECOMMENDATIONS Pool-Proof calculates exactly how much of each chemical to add — baking soda, muriatic acid, liquid chlorine, Cal-Hypo shock, dry acid, sodium carbonate (soda ash), calcium increaser, or granular bromine. Every dose follows the 50% Staged Dosing rule: add half the calculated amount, run jets for 45 minutes, then re-test. This prevents chemical bounce and over-treatment. Dose cards show liquid amounts in fl oz and mL, plus granular equivalents in household measures (tsp, tbsp, cup) — so you can use whatever product you have on the shelf. THE LSI SCORE The Langelier Saturation Index (LSI) is your water balance report card. Pool-Proof calculates it using CYA-corrected alkalinity per Taylor K-2006 methodology. A large color-coded score — from corrosive to scaling — gives you the full picture at a glance. CHLORINE & BROMINE Switch between chlorine and bromine mode from the Setup screen. Bromine mode adjusts all target ranges, skips CYA correction, and uses the correct dosing rates for granular bromine automatically. WET-HAND FRIENDLY Built for poolside use. Giant tap targets. Physical-style +/- drop counters that mirror the real test kit workflow. No tiny keyboard fields. Dark theme for outdoor readability. THE VAULT Save every test session. Review past LSI scores and readings. Spot trends over time. All history is stored privately on your device — no account required, no cloud sync. BUILT-IN SAFETY GUARDRAILS Pool-Proof includes the same safety rules professional techs follow: pH gate — chlorine dosing blocked when pH is below 7.0 Alkalinity guardrail — emergency baking soda forced when effective alkalinity drops dangerously low Acid cap — muriatic acid limited to a safe maximum per treatment cycle TA-first logic — pH corrections deferred until alkalinity is balanced FLEXIBLE FOR ANY SPA Gallons or liters volume input F or C temperature toggle Liquid or granular dose format preference Basic Mode (acrylic or fiberglass spa) or Pro Mode (plaster pool, full LSI and calcium hardness) Chlorine or bromine sanitizer COMPLETELY PRIVATE All data is stored locally on your device. No login. No subscription. No data collection. Nothing ever leaves your phone. Works with the Taylor K-2006 Platinum test kit. Trusted methodology. No guesswork. DISCLAIMER: Pool-Proof is a calculation aid designed to assist with routine residential spa maintenance. It does not replace professional water testing or licensed pool service technicians. Always follow chemical product labels and safety precautions.

About

Pool IQ

Features
Read full description

PoolIQ - Your AI Pool Maintenance Assistant Keep your pool clean, balanced, and swim-ready with AI-powered water testing, chemical recommendations, and maintenance tracking. Simply scan a pool test strip or digital tester, or manually enter your readings. PoolIQ analyzes your water chemistry and gives you clear instructions on what chemicals to add, how much to use, and when to retest. Smart Water Testing Track important levels including: pH Free and total chlorine Alkalinity Calcium hardness CYA Salt Bromine Water temperature AI Chemical Recommendations Get personalized guidance based on your pool size, water chemistry, weather, and treatment history. PoolIQ tells you: What to add How much to add How to add it safely When to test again Pool Health Score See your pool's condition instantly with simple ratings: Excellent - Good - Needs Attention - Critical Complete Pool Tracking Keep your entire pool history in one place: Water tests Chemical additions Maintenance records Photos Expenses Equipment information Chemical Inventory Track your supplies and get alerts when chemicals are running low or expiring. AI Pool Assistant Ask questions like: "Why is my pool cloudy?" "How do I fix green water?" "Can I swim yet?" "What chemicals do I need?" Get answers personalized to your pool. Maintenance Reminders Stay on schedule with reminders for: Water testing Cleaning Vacuuming Filter maintenance Equipment checks Pool opening and closing Weather-Based Care PoolIQ adjusts recommendations based on heat, rain, UV, and storms to help protect your water balance. Designed with a modern Apple-inspired interface featuring beautiful charts, dark mode, smooth animations, and easy-to-follow instructions. PoolIQ makes pool maintenance simple, smart, and stress-free.

Screenshots

Pool4 screens
Pool IQ4 screens

Verdict

The call

Pool and Pool IQ are too close to call on the numbers: across 5 compared parameters — price, ads, in-app purchases and device support among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
Pool versus Pool IQ: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPoolPool IQ
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings1 — better—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS15.0 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size3 MB186 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperBrandon CurrieTanner Berkenstock

In-app purchases

None

Pool

No in-app purchases

None

Pool IQ

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Pool free?
Pool is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Pool IQ free?
Pool IQ is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Pool or Pool IQ have ads?
Neither Pool nor Pool IQ shows ads.

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