Rachio vs YoLink
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Rachio
This app allows you to control your sprinkler system remotely, creating custom watering schedules. It helps save water and money by optimizing irrigation based on weather and yard needs. Access your system from anywhere for convenient lawn care.
- Automated watering schedules
- Remote sprinkler control
- Water and money saving
- Weather-based adjustments
- Smart home integration
- Mobile app access
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The Rachio Smart Sprinkler Controller changes the way you water. It makes running your sprinklers easy and convenient while saving you water and money. Rachio automatically creates a watering schedule that lowers your water bill and ensures the beautiful yard you want, while the mobile app gives you access to your sprinkler system from anywhere. Plus, Rachio is compatible with nearly any sized yard and smart home platform. This is the companion app to the industry-leading Rachio Smart Sprinkler Controller.
YoLink
Control a wide range of smart home devices, including lights, switches, thermostats, and cameras, through a central hub. This application enables comprehensive home automation and management.
- Control smart lights
- Manage smart switches and sockets
- Automate watering systems
- Monitor IP cameras
- Integrate with YoLink hub
- Home automation management
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YoLink APP is released by YoSmart Inc. This APP can control all YoSmart equipment through YoLink hub, including the LED strip lights, smart switch, smart socket, Thermostat, automatic watering system, IP camera and so on. Smart Home is also called smart house, intelligent home, and home automation. It is some application of Internet of Things
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Rachio at 4.9 against YoLink's 3.2. Rachio also leads on ratings volume (159K vs 54) and review sentiment (57% vs 43%). YoLink's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 5) and ads (none vs shown). On price, update cadence 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
Both are free to download. Rachio sells 5 one-off in-app purchases. YoLink asks for nothing beyond the download.
Rachio holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 3.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Rachio has 159K ratings behind it against 54, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 57% of Rachio's written reviews are positive against 43% of YoLink's.
Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on October 29, 2026.
| Parameter | Rachio | YoLink |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.9 (159K ratings) — better | 3.2 (54 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 57.4% of reviews — better | 42.9% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 159K — better | 54 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Every 3 weeks |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | 14.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 163 MB | 110 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | RACHIO, INC. | YoSmart |
Customer experience
Rachio
YoLink
User reviews
Rachio
From 159K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Easy to use
- 👍 Convenient remote control
- 🌱 Saves water and money
- 🌳 Helps maintain healthy lawn and plants
Room to improve
- 🐛 Connectivity issues
- 💸 Aggressive upselling
- 🤔 Confusing user interface
- 🌧️ Inaccurate weather-based scheduling
YoLink
From 54 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Great hardware and app
- 👍 Easy setup and functionality
- 🔒 Reliable system
- 💡 Customizable home security
- 🚀 Fantastic connectivity and quality
Room to improve
- 🐛 Buggy app with connection issues
- 🔍 Confusing and cluttered user interface
- 🔊 Loud and annoying alarm sounds
- 🌙 Lack of dark mode
- 🎨 Poor color contrast and visibility
Bugs and requests
Rachio
Reported bugs
4 issues- Zones running at unexpected times
- Schedules not working as programmed
- App crashing during setup and use
- Syncing issues between app and controller
Requested features
4 requests- Ability to skip multiple upcoming watering cycles
- Customizable notifications for low battery and offline status
- Better integration with smart home platforms like HomeKit
- More granular control over watering schedules and durations
YoLink
Reported bugs
5 issues- App not working with iOS 15
- Frequent disconnections of hub and sensors
- Inability to save temperature alert ranges
- Alerts not working as expected
- Offline sensor issues
Requested features
5 requests- Add dark mode option
- Improve temperature/alarm setting controls
- Implement Apple Shortcuts support
- Add iPad app version
- Allow custom notification sounds
In-app purchases
Rachio
- Tempest Integration$29.99
- AirLink Integration$29.99
- Heat Wave Boost$29.99
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- Wire Status$29.99
- Valve & Heat Monitoring Bundle$49.99
YoLink
No in-app purchases
