Comparison

Rachio vs Hello Critter

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • Automated watering schedules
  • Remote sprinkler control
  • Water and money saving
  • Weather-based adjustments
  • Smart home integration
  • Mobile app access
Features
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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.

About

Hello Critter

Features
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Hello Critter is a personal journal for every animal you meet. Capture a photo when a small animal catches your eye, then save the details that make the moment memorable: its name, the time, the location, and your own notes. Whether you meet an animal on a neighborhood walk, at school, in a park, or while traveling, Hello Critter helps turn a passing encounter into a lasting memory. Explore your memories in the way that feels most natural: - Browse your complete collection of animal encounters. - Use the calendar to revisit the animals you met on any day. - View recorded locations on a map and trace encounters across the city. - Review recent records and see your encounters at a glance from the home screen. - Add or update details whenever you learn more about an animal or want to remember how the moment felt. Hello Critter is designed for people who enjoy noticing the small lives around them. It keeps your photos, places, dates, and reflections together, making it easy to look back on the gentle moments that might otherwise be forgotten.

Screenshots

Rachio4 screens
Hello Critter3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Hello Critter at none against Rachio's 5. Hello Critter also leads on ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 16.0). 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Rachio sells 5 one-off in-app purchases. Hello Critter asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 9, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Rachio versus Hello Critter: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRachioHello Critter
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (159K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews58.5% of reviews—
Number of ratings159K — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 3 weeks
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size163 MB73 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRACHIO, INC.永锋 谢

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

Hello Critter

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

5 purchases

Rachio

One-time5
  • Tempest Integration$29.99
  • AirLink Integration$29.99
  • Heat Wave Boost$29.99
Show 2 more
  • Wire Status$29.99
  • Valve & Heat Monitoring Bundle$49.99
None

Hello Critter

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Rachio free?
Rachio is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Hello Critter free?
Hello Critter is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Rachio or Hello Critter have ads?
Rachio shows ads; Hello Critter does not.
Which is updated more often, Rachio or Hello Critter?
Rachio ships an update every 3 weeks, and Hello Critter every 3 weeks. Most recently, Rachio was updated on November 9, 2026 and Hello Critter on October 31, 2026.

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