Comparison

InstarVision for iPad vs HydroponicsCalc

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

Head to head
About

InstarVision for iPad

View and control your IP cameras from your iPad. Stream live video and audio, adjust settings, and manage recordings from various compatible brands.

Highlights
  • Live video/audio streaming
  • Add, edit, delete cameras
  • Pan/Tilt/Zoom control
  • Change camera settings
  • Save or share snapshots
  • Play cloud/SD card recordings
  • Motion detection activation
Features
Read full description

InstarVision is the perfect companion to your INSTAR IP camera. This application is specially designed for the iPad and allows you to view the video streams of your camera, to control it real-time or to change its settings. • FUNCTIONS • - Play live- video/audio streams - Add/edit/delete cameras - Pan/Tilt/Zoom functions - Swipe control - Change camera settings (brightness, contrast, resolution ...) - Save or share snapshots - Saving preset positions - Controllable IR LEDs and I/O Relay (depends on the camera model) - Activate / deactivate camera motion detection - Play recordings from the Cloud or SD card Additional to the INSTAR models you can use cameras of the following manufacturers: - 7Links - ABUS - Allnet - Apexis - Axis - Bosch - Dericam - Digitus - D-Link - EasyN - Edimax - Elro - Foscam - Hama - JVC - Linksys - Mobotix - Panasonic - Reolink - Samsung - Siemens - Sony - Swann - Vilar - Wanscam - Wansview If you have any suggestion or problem with this app please contact us at support@instar.com. You can help us to extend the functions and supported cameras in this app by providing: - Documentation to your camera - Test account if possible This software uses code of FFmpeg licensed under the LGPLv2.1 and its source can be downloaded here: https://github.com/instarcam/InstarVision-iPad

About

HydroponicsCalc

Manage your hydroponic garden with this comprehensive tool. Track reservoir levels, mix nutrients precisely, calculate pH and VPD, and document your grow with a journal and harvest log. Supports both US and metric units.

Highlights
  • Reservoir management dashboard
  • Concentrate and EC mixing calculators
  • pH and VPD calculators
  • Grow journal with photo timeline
  • Harvest log and ROI dashboard
  • Light schedule tracker
  • US & Metric unit support
Features
Read full description

HydroponicsCalc is the complete grow-management companion for hydroponic gardeners — from beginners mixing their first concentrate bottles to experienced growers running multiple systems. RESERVOIR MANAGEMENT — FRONT AND CENTRE Your grow systems live on the home screen where you need them. See EC, pH, temperature, volume, and grow stage at a glance. Tap Log to record a reading or journal entry without digging through menus. Get change-due warnings before problems develop. CONCENTRATE MIXER Two modes for every workflow: • Bottle → EC: Enter bottle size and coverage target — get exact gram weights per component, dose rate (mL per gallon), and a live EC estimate. • Target EC → Dose: Enter your desired EC — get the mL-per-gallon dose you need. Supports MasterBlend 4-18-38, Jack's 321, General Hydroponics Flora Series, and more. Save your favourite configurations as reusable recipes. EC CALCULATOR Dial in nutrient strength with confidence. Input dose → see estimated EC. Input target EC → get required dose. An EC reference strip shows typical ranges from seedling to aggressive feeding, accounting for your source water baseline. pH CALCULATOR Enter current pH, target pH, and reservoir volume — get the exact mL of adjuster needed. Supports White Vinegar, Phosphoric Acid (pH Down), Potassium Hydroxide (pH Up), and custom adjusters with calibration mode. VPD CALCULATOR Vapour pressure deficit tracking with colour-coded zone feedback. Input air temperature, relative humidity, and leaf temperature offset — instantly see whether you're in the Too Humid, Seedling, Vegetative, Flowering, or Too Dry zone. GROW JOURNAL WITH PHOTO TIMELINE Document your grows with a date-sorted photo diary. Log observations, deficiencies, feedings, milestones, and harvests — with camera or photo library support. Export a full PDF archive of any journal. HARVEST LOG & ROI DASHBOARD Record wet weight, dry weight, and crop name for every harvest. Track cost-per-gram from your nutrient spend. See yield trends over time. Calculate energy costs from your light wattage and schedule. LIGHT SCHEDULE TRACKER Set your light schedule (18/6, 20/4, 12/12, or custom), log your flip date, and get an estimated harvest date with a countdown. US & METRIC Every calculator works in gallons/°F or litres/°C. One tap to switch — all values update instantly. NO SUBSCRIPTIONS. NO ADS. HydroponicsCalc is a one-time purchase. Everything is included. By HackerHomeLab.com

Screenshots

HydroponicsCalc4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: InstarVision for iPad at Free against HydroponicsCalc's $1.99. InstarVision for iPad also leads on update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 4 months) and ratings volume (3 vs 1). HydroponicsCalc's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 2.7). On ads, 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

InstarVision for iPad is free to download; HydroponicsCalc costs $1.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

HydroponicsCalc holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 2.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 1 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

InstarVision for iPad ships an update every 5 weeks, HydroponicsCalc every 4 months. Both last shipped on October 23, 2026.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
InstarVision for iPad versus HydroponicsCalc: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterInstarVision for iPadHydroponicsCalc
PriceFree — better$1.99
Rating2.7 (3 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews81.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings3 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeks — betterEvery 4 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterPaid
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS13.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size154 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperINSTAR Deutschland GmbHDouglas Stieber

Customer experience

InstarVision for iPad

All ratings3 ratings
Positive33.3%
Neutral33.3%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews60 reviews
Positive81.7%
Neutral6.7%
Negative11.7%

HydroponicsCalc

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

InstarVision for iPad

No in-app purchases

None

HydroponicsCalc

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is InstarVision for iPad free?
InstarVision for iPad is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is HydroponicsCalc free?
HydroponicsCalc costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, InstarVision for iPad or HydroponicsCalc?
HydroponicsCalc is rated higher. InstarVision for iPad averages 2.7 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while HydroponicsCalc averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do InstarVision for iPad or HydroponicsCalc have ads?
Neither InstarVision for iPad nor HydroponicsCalc shows ads.
Which is updated more often, InstarVision for iPad or HydroponicsCalc?
InstarVision for iPad ships an update every 5 weeks, and HydroponicsCalc every 4 months. Most recently, InstarVision for iPad was updated on October 23, 2026 and HydroponicsCalc on October 23, 2026.

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