Comparison

TankLab vs Aquarium Manager

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

Head to head
About

TankLab

Manage all aspects of your aquarium, from water parameters and livestock to maintenance schedules and expenses. Utilize AI for test strip analysis and personalized advice to keep your aquatic life thriving.

Highlights
  • AI test strip scanner
  • AI aquarium advisor
  • Water parameter tracking
  • Maintenance scheduler
  • Livestock manager
  • Expense tracker
Features
Read full description

TankLab is the all-in-one aquarium management app for freshwater, saltwater, brackish, and planted tanks. Whether you're cycling your first tank or maintaining a mature reef, TankLab keeps everything organized and your fish healthy. AI TEST STRIP SCANNER Snap a photo of your test strip next to the color chart and let AI read the values instantly. Results pre-fill your parameter log, just review and save. Supports API 5-in-1, Tetra 6-in-1, and similar multi-parameter strips. AI AQUARIUM ADVISOR Ask TankLab's AI anything about fishkeeping. It knows your tank's current setup, water parameters, livestock, and maintenance history, so every answer is tailored to your situation. Get help with water chemistry, fish compatibility, disease diagnosis, feeding schedules, plant care, and more. WATER PARAMETER TRACKING Log pH, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, GH, KH, temperature, salinity, phosphate, calcium, and more. Enter in ppm or degrees, the app auto-converts. View trends over time with interactive charts and get insights when values are out of range. MAINTENANCE SCHEDULER Set up recurring tasks for water changes, filter cleaning, feeding, dosing, and equipment checks. Get notifications when tasks are due. Check them off and build a maintenance streak. LIVESTOCK MANAGER Track every fish, invertebrate, coral, and plant in your tank. Browse species info, check compatibility, and keep a complete record of your aquarium inhabitants. TANK GALLERY & JOURNAL Document your tank's evolution with photos and journal entries. Look back at how far your aquarium has come. EXPENSE TRACKER Keep track of what you spend on equipment, livestock, food, and supplies. Know exactly where your aquarium budget goes. TANKLAB+ SUBSCRIPTION Free users get 1 tank, 5 AI questions per month, and all core tracking features. Upgrade to TankLab+ for unlimited AI questions, test strip scanning, iCloud sync across devices, and expanded tank and livestock limits. Download TankLab and give your aquarium the care it deserves. By using this app, you agree to Apple’s Standard End User License Agreement: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Aquarium Manager

Features
Read full description

Aquarium Manager turns fishkeeping guesswork into a simple daily routine. Log every tank, track water test results over time, and let a built-in cycling coach tell you exactly when it's safe to add new fish — all from your phone, whether you run one small fish tank or a whole fish room. Water chemistry is where most tanks go wrong. Aquarium Manager reads your ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate readings and turns them into a clear trend line instead of a page of numbers, so you always know whether your nitrogen cycle is stable, spiking, or still establishing. Most new tanks fail for the same reason: fish go in before the tank finishes cycling. Aquarium Manager exists to make that mistake much harder to make. WHAT YOU CAN DO • Track every tank you own — freshwater, saltwater, planted, or reef, each with its own livestock and history • Log water test results — ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH, and more, charted over time so trends jump out • Cycling coach — a step-by-step read of your nitrogen cycle that tells you when it's actually safe to stock • Compatibility check — see if a new species fits your existing tank before you buy it, not after • Disease photo ID — snap a photo of a sick fish for informational guidance on what might be wrong • AI diagnosis — describe symptoms and get hobby-level troubleshooting for common tank problems • Species guide — care sheets for popular aquarium species, from tank size to feeding to temperament • Maintenance schedule — water changes, filter cleans, and test reminders so nothing slips • Stock log and audit — a running inventory of every fish, plant, and invertebrate in every tank, so you always know exactly what's living where • Tank history — look back weeks or months to spot slow chemistry drift long before it turns into an algae bloom or a stressed, sick fish WHY AQUARIUM MANAGER • Built for real fishkeeping — the cycling coach and water test log solve the two things new hobbyists get wrong most • One place for every tank — no more scattered notes, spreadsheets, or sticky notes on the stand • Photo-based help — disease ID and AI diagnosis give you a starting point before you call an aquatic vet • Reminders that stick — maintenance tasks are scheduled, not just remembered • Works for beginners and veterans — a single freshwater community tank or a multi-tank fish room • Species-first buying — check compatibility before checkout instead of researching an incompatibility after the fish is already home WHO IT'S FOR • New hobbyists cycling their very first fish tank and unsure when it's safe to add fish • Experienced keepers juggling multiple tanks who want water test history in one place • Reef and planted tank owners who need to catch chemistry drift before it becomes a crash • Anyone who has lost fish to an uncycled tank and wants that to never happen again Aquarium Manager is informational hobby guidance, not a substitute for a veterinarian — for a sick or valuable animal, always consult an aquatic vet. For everyday tank care, it's the log, the cycling coach, and the compatibility check that keep your fish tank healthy between water changes. Download Aquarium Manager and give every tank the tracking it deserves. Terms of Use https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy https://coddykit.com/terms/privacy-policy

Screenshots

TankLab4 screens
Aquarium Manager4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: TankLab at none against Aquarium Manager's shown. Aquarium Manager's advantage is iOS requirement (15.1 vs 17.0). On price, in-app purchases 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. TankLab sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and Aquarium Manager sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Scorecard2 real differences · 7 level
TankLab versus Aquarium Manager: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTankLabAquarium Manager
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequency—Every 4 days
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.015.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size8 MB50 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSquatchCraft LLCMEHMET CANKER (TR)

In-app purchases

2 purchases

TankLab

Subscriptions2
  • TankLab+$4.991 Month
  • Annual subscription$34.991 Year
2 purchases

Aquarium Manager

Subscriptions2
  • Aquarium Manager Pro monthly3 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • Aquarium Manager Pro annual3 Days trial$29.991 Year

Questions

Is TankLab free?
TankLab is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Aquarium Manager free?
Aquarium Manager is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do TankLab or Aquarium Manager have ads?
Aquarium Manager shows ads; TankLab does not.

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