# Abode vs Home Widget for HomeKit · HW

Abode and Home Widget for HomeKit · HW both sit at 4.2 stars, but that hides the real split: 74% of Home Widget for HomeKit · HW's written reviews are positive against 23% of Abode's. Home Widget for HomeKit · HW also leads on update cadence (every 10 days vs every 6 weeks). Abode's advantage is ratings volume (4.9K vs 158). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Abode sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month and Home Widget for HomeKit · HW sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.2 for Abode against 4.1 for Home Widget for HomeKit · HW. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Abode has 4.9K ratings behind it against 158, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 23% of Abode's written reviews are positive against 74% of Home Widget for HomeKit · HW's.

Abode ships an update every 6 weeks, Home Widget for HomeKit · HW every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Abode | Home Widget for HomeKit · HW |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.2 (4.9K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/abode/id828260682/reviews)** | [4.1 (158 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/home-widget-for-homekit-hw/id1579036143/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **4.9K** | 158 |
| Positive reviews | 23.4% of reviews | **73.9% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | **Every 10 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 258 MB | 146 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | **17.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Abode Systems, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/828260685) | [Clement Marty](https://appshunter.io/developer/502626664) |

## What reviewers say

### Abode

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/abode/id828260682)

Control your home security system remotely. Arm and disarm your system, view live and recorded video, and receive instant alerts. Automate your home with custom actions and notifications, all from your mobile device.

**Highlights:** Arm & disarm system, View live & recorded video, Receive security alerts, Home automation, Customizable notifications, System setup & expansion, Timeline event filtering

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

**In-app purchases (8)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Single Camera | $3.99 | per month |
| Standard Plan | $8.49 | per month |
| 24/7 Recording | $9.99 | per month |
| Pro Plan | $26.99 | per month |
| Single Camera | $34.99 | per year |
| Standard Plan | $79.99 | per year |
| 24/7 Recording | $109.99 | per year |
| Pro Plan | $249.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Excellent security system
- 👍 Easy to install and set up
- 🔒 Reliable monitoring and notifications
- 💡 Flexible automation and integration options
- 🚀 Smooth and user-friendly app

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Unreliable camera connectivity and performance
- 🔋 Inconsistent geofencing and location services
- 💸 Paywall for basic features and notifications
- 🐛 Buggy app with frequent crashes and issues
- 👎 Poor customer support and responsiveness

**Reported bugs**

- Frequent app crashes and freezes
- Inconsistent device connectivity and offline issues
- Inaccurate sensor and alarm notifications
- Incompatibility with certain Wi-Fi network configurations

**Requested features**

- Improved HomeKit integration
- More customization options for sensors and automations
- Better battery life indicators and management
- Ability to rename devices within the app


### Home Widget for HomeKit · HW

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/home-widget-for-homekit-hw/id1579036143)

Control your HomeKit devices directly from your iPhone or iPad's Home Screen. Create customizable panels with accessories, scenes, and shortcuts for streamlined smart home management. View live camera feeds and receive state feedback for all your connected devices.

**Highlights:** Home Screen widgets for HomeKit, Customizable control panels, Add accessories, scenes, and shortcuts, Live camera feed access, State feedback for devices, Lock Screen access, Panel sharing via iCloud/AirDrop

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support, iPhone Duo support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly subscription | $0.99 | per month |
| Annual subscription | $6.99 | per year |
| Lifetime License | $14.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Great auxiliary options
- 🚀 Insanely useful
- 👍 Awesome
- 👍 Beautiful widgets
- 👍 Plenty of customization options

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Stopped working
- 🐛 Doesn't update
- 🐛 Doesn't refresh
- 🐛 Freezing widgets
- 🔋 Draining battery

**Reported bugs**

- Widgets don't save
- Widgets don't update status
- Incompatibility with iOS 16/17
- Double downloads
- Panels don't work

**Requested features**

- Ability to pinch to zoom on video
- Control temperature on thermostats
- Adjust brightness/color of lights
- Custom sounds for actions
- More widget size/layout options


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Abode free?

Abode is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Home Widget for HomeKit · HW free?

Home Widget for HomeKit · HW is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Abode or Home Widget for HomeKit · HW?

Abode is rated higher. Abode averages 4.2 out of 5 from 4.9K ratings, while Home Widget for HomeKit · HW averages 4.1 from 158 ratings.

### Do Abode or Home Widget for HomeKit · HW have ads?

Neither Abode nor Home Widget for HomeKit · HW shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Abode or Home Widget for HomeKit · HW?

Abode ships an update every 6 weeks, and Home Widget for HomeKit · HW every 10 days. Most recently, Abode was updated on November 1, 2026 and Home Widget for HomeKit · HW on November 3, 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.*