# Hive vs SmartAlarm+2

The clearest difference is update cadence: Hive at fortnightly against SmartAlarm+2's every 8 months. Hive also leads on ratings volume (802 vs 22) and review sentiment (18% vs 0%). SmartAlarm+2's advantage is rating (4.6 vs 4.2) and iOS requirement (10.0 vs 15.1). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

SmartAlarm+2 holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Hive has 802 ratings behind it against 22, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 18% of Hive's written reviews are positive against 0% of SmartAlarm+2's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Hive ships an update fortnightly, SmartAlarm+2 every 8 months. The most recent releases landed on October 19, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Hive | SmartAlarm+2 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.2 (802 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hive/id712829172/reviews) | **[4.6 (22 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smartalarm-plus-2/id1443731233/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **802** | 22 |
| Positive reviews | **18.5% of reviews** | 0.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Every 8 months |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 200 MB | 271 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 | **10.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Centrica Hive Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/1171162560) | [Pyronix Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/906273568) |

## What reviewers say

### Hive

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hive/id712829172)

Control your home's energy usage, from heating and EV charging to lighting and solar power, all from your smartphone. Save money and reduce your carbon footprint with smart scheduling, real-time tracking, and personalized insights.

**Highlights:** Smart heating control, EV charging management, Smart lighting and plugs, Solar energy generation and storage, Energy usage tracking and budgeting, Personalized dashboard, Smart actions and scheduling

**Features:** Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Easy to use
- 🔒 Secure system
- 👍 Convenient remote control
- 👍 Integrates well with Alexa and Google

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent connectivity issues
- 🐛 Unreliable app performance
- 🐛 Scheduling problems
- 🔋 High battery drain on devices
- 👎 Paywall for basic features

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes and freezes
- Devices randomly going offline
- Heating/cooling schedules not working as expected
- Camera live view and recordings not functioning properly

**Requested features**

- Dark mode option
- More granular scheduling controls
- Better integration with smart home platforms
- Improved camera functionality and recording


### SmartAlarm+2

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smartalarm-plus-2/id1443731233)

This app integrates CCTV and intrusion detection for comprehensive home or business security. Remotely view camera feeds, arm/disarm your system, and control various smart devices like gates, lights, and locks. Receive instant voice notifications for alarms and events, with secure cloud management.

**Highlights:** View multiple IP camera streams, Arm and disarm security system, Voice push notifications for alarms, Control gates, lights, doors, sprinklers, System status monitoring, Unlock with Face ID or fingerprint

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Hive free?

Hive is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is SmartAlarm+2 free?

SmartAlarm+2 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Hive or SmartAlarm+2?

SmartAlarm+2 is rated higher. Hive averages 4.2 out of 5 from 802 ratings, while SmartAlarm+2 averages 4.6 from 22 ratings.

### Do Hive or SmartAlarm+2 have ads?

Neither Hive nor SmartAlarm+2 shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Hive or SmartAlarm+2?

Hive ships an update fortnightly, and SmartAlarm+2 every 8 months. Most recently, Hive was updated on October 19, 2026 and SmartAlarm+2 on October 16, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*