# Abode vs Photon Marine Mobile

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Photon Marine Mobile at none against Abode's 8. Photon Marine Mobile also leads on iOS requirement (15.1 vs 17.6). On price, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Abode sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Photon Marine Mobile asks for nothing beyond the download.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Abode | Photon Marine Mobile |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.2 (4.9K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/abode/id828260682/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **4.9K** | — |
| Positive reviews | 23.4% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | Every 6 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 258 MB | 31 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | **15.1** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Abode Systems, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/828260685) | [Photon Marine Corporation](https://appshunter.io/developer/1805022914) |

## 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


### Photon Marine Mobile

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/photon-marine-mobile/id6743880785)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Abode free?

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

### Is Photon Marine Mobile free?

Photon Marine Mobile is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do Abode or Photon Marine Mobile have ads?

Neither Abode nor Photon Marine Mobile shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Abode or Photon Marine Mobile?

Abode ships an update every 6 weeks, and Photon Marine Mobile every 6 weeks. Most recently, Abode was updated on November 6, 2026 and Photon Marine Mobile on October 30, 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.*