Comparison

ReefNote vs Tankive

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

Head to head
About

ReefNote

Features
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ReefNote keeps your aquarium on track: log every water parameter, flag anything out of range, and keep dosing and maintenance on schedule. Testing is fast. Pick a parameter, tap the value on a big pad with the right unit (dKH, ppm, SG), and save. Each parameter remembers its last value, so a routine round of tests takes seconds. WHAT YOU GET - Parameter log with target ranges: reef and freshwater presets you can edit per tank, with out-of-range flags the moment you save - Trend charts: every parameter over 30 days, 90 days, or a year, with your target band drawn behind the line and each point coloured by its flag - Dosing and water changes: repeat schedules with clear overdue and due-today states, one tap to mark done - Livestock registry: fish, coral, and inverts with photos, added dates, and notes - Maintenance reminders: a per-task reminder so nothing slips - Tank journal: one timeline that mixes your tests, doses, and events - Tank report: a shareable PDF of parameters versus targets, livestock, and schedule, plus a CSV of every reading (Pro) REEF OR FRESHWATER Set the tank type and ReefNote starts with common target bands for each parameter, then lets you tune every band to the numbers you keep. FREE AND PRO Free includes one tank and 30 tests, with target ranges, trends, the schedule, and the livestock registry. Pro unlocks unlimited tanks, unlimited test history, and the PDF and CSV exports. PRIVATE BY DESIGN Everything stays on your iPhone. No account, no cloud, no tracking. SUBSCRIPTION DETAILS ReefNote Pro is available as a monthly or yearly subscription, or as a one time lifetime purchase. The current price is shown in the app and on this page before you buy. Payment is charged to your Apple Account at confirmation of purchase. Subscriptions renew automatically until cancelled. Manage or cancel anytime in Settings > Apple Account > Subscriptions; cancellation takes effect at the end of the current period. Terms of Use (Apple Standard EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Tankive

Features
Read full description

Keep every aquarium’s water tests, care, livestock, and changes in one clear record. Tankive is built for freshwater, planted, shrimp, saltwater, and reef aquariums. Log routine care without a network connection, review parameter trends, and understand what changed over time. WATER TESTS AND TRENDS • Record temperature, pH, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, GH, KH, phosphate, salinity, and custom parameters • Set aquarium-specific target and warning ranges • Review parameter history and clear trend charts • Compare recent measurements with aquarium events CARE WITHOUT GUESSWORK • Schedule feeding, water changes, tests, fertilizer, dosing, filter care, and custom tasks • Receive optional reminders for recurring care • Quickly record feeding, water changes, doses, and observations • Keep completed care in the aquarium’s permanent timeline A COMPLETE AQUARIUM HISTORY • Track livestock, plants, equipment, breeding, expenses, observations, and photos • Review water tests, care, additions, moves, notes, and milestones in one dated timeline • Compare photos and aquarium changes over time • Search across tanks, livestock, equipment, notes, and care tasks SHARE CARE PRIVATELY • Share an aquarium through Apple iCloud • Give a partner or caretaker read-only or edit access • Prepare caretaker plans with dates, instructions, and tasks • Let invited caretakers use the relevant shared-tank features without purchasing a subscription • No Tankive account is required LOCAL FIRST AND PRIVATE BY DESIGN Routine logging remains available without a network connection because records are saved locally first. Optional iCloud sync and sharing use your private or shared Apple CloudKit database. Tankive has no advertising, tracking SDK, third-party analytics, or developer-operated aquarium-data backend. Export a help summary, measurement and timeline CSV files, or a complete JSON record. Existing records remain readable and exportable if a subscription ends. FREE AND PRO The free version supports one aquarium and the main water-test, record, and care tools. Tankive Pro is an optional auto-renewable monthly or yearly subscription. It unlocks more than one owner-created aquarium, owner sharing controls, What Changed comparison, caretaker plans, and all calculators. Payment is charged to your Apple Account. Subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the current subscription period ends. You can manage or cancel your subscription in your Apple Account settings. Privacy Policy: https://radiantbeargames.com/tankive/privacy Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

ReefNote4 screens
Tankive4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: ReefNote at 18.0 against Tankive's 26.5. On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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. ReefNote sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month and Tankive sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ReefNote ships an update every 3 weeks, Tankive every 4 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 28, 2026 and October 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 5 level
ReefNote versus Tankive: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterReefNoteTankive
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 4 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.0 — better26.5
Further details — not scored
Size6 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperInnovaLabWorksArnold Sallay

In-app purchases

3 purchases

ReefNote

Subscriptions2
  • ReefNote Pro$5.991 Month
  • ReefNote Pro$34.991 Year
One-time1
  • ReefNote Lifetime$2.99
2 purchases

Tankive

Subscriptions2
  • Tankive Pro Monthly3 Days trial$1.991 Month
  • Tankive Pro Yearly$19.991 Year

Questions

Is ReefNote free?
ReefNote is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Tankive free?
Tankive is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do ReefNote or Tankive have ads?
Neither ReefNote nor Tankive shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ReefNote or Tankive?
ReefNote ships an update every 3 weeks, and Tankive every 4 weeks. Most recently, ReefNote was updated on October 28, 2026 and Tankive on October 23, 2026.

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