Comparison

Sm@rtClient vs Rittal Scan & Service

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

Head to head
About

Sm@rtClient

Remotely operate and monitor industrial HMI systems from your mobile device. Access operator stations, view system layouts, and interact with hardware buttons via touch input. Supports various SIMATIC HMI systems and offers both view-only and coordinated operation modes.

Highlights
  • Remote operation of HMI systems
  • View-only monitoring mode
  • Coordinated operation with active remote control
  • Access to hardware buttons
  • Automatic HMI panel detection
  • Browser-based access to Unified Panels
  • WebView access to PLC webpages
Read full description

The SIMATIC WinCC Sm@rtClient App, in combination with the SIMATIC WinCC Sm@rtServer, allows remote mobile operation and observation of SIMATIC HMI systems over Industrial Ethernet/WLAN (wireless). The app offers support for WebClient on Unified Panels, expanding accessibility through browser-based interfaces. It also supports WebView-based access to legacy webpages on PLCs, enabling users to access View of Things (VoT) pages. The app is available for SIMATIC HMI Comfort Panels, SIMATIC WinCC Runtime Advanced, SIMATIC Unified Panels, and PLCs. The scope of the Sm@rtClient concept allows an operator station to make its display available to the app. The station takes on the role of a Sm@rtServer, while the smartphone or tablet acts as the Sm@rtClient. Sm@rtServer functionality can be easily enabled with a single mouse click in the device’s configuration settings. The screen can be displayed on the Sm@rtClient in "View only" mode, or a full-fledged, coordinated operation can be set up. Coordinated operation ensures that only one user has control at a time β€” either the operator station with Sm@rtServer or the Sm@rtClient app. Additionally, the app supports easy connection setup through automatic HMI panel detection. The Sm@rtClient app not only shows the selected HMI screen but also mirrors the complete device layout, including functional hardware buttons. This enables users to interact with the system as if they were physically present in front of the panel β€” except buttons are triggered via touch input on the mobile screen. Functions: * Access to operator stations for the operation and setup of large, spatially separated machines * Flexible solution for safe and location-independent access to operator stations * Global access to plants (e.g. for service or maintenance staff) * Full access to hardware buttons on your Comfort Panel * Easy discovery of available Sm@rtServers * Coordinated operation through active remote control * View-only mode for passive monitoring * Support for WebClient on Unified Panels for browser-based access * Support for WebView-based access to legacy webpages on PLCs, enabling access to View of Things (VoT) pages

About

Rittal Scan & Service

Streamline interaction with Rittal products during operation. Scan NFC tags or QR codes to access device information, parameters, and technical data. Efficiently manage settings, create service messages, and generate watch lists for accessories and spare parts.

Highlights
  • Scan products via NFC or QR code
  • Fast parametrization and commissioning
  • Copy settings between units (Fast-Copy)
  • Create and send service messages
  • Generate watch lists for accessories/spare parts
  • Access product information and documentation
  • Manage and track scanned products
Features
Read full description

Make your interaction with Rittal products during the operating phase even more efficient! With the Rittal Scan & Service app, you can interact conveniently and easily with your devices during the operating phase. Rittal supports you here by calling up all device information and parameters by scanning via NFC or the rating plate QR code. Benefit from a wide range of features: β€’ Fast parametrization and commissioning: All unit parameters can be quickly and easily transferred to the air handling unit via NFC. β€’ Save time with Fast-Copy: Fast-Copy is a function with which all settings of an air-conditioning unit can be easily copied to other air-conditioning units. β€’ Create and send a service message: As an alternative to the Rittal Service hotline, you can use the app to create a service message around the clock and send it to Rittal Service or to a contact of your choice. β€’ Create and send watch lists of accessories and spare parts: Find the right accessory and spare part for the scanned product and place it on the watch list. The watch list can be sent as a CSV file to a purchaser in your company and imported into the Rittal Online Shop with just a few clicks. β€’ All product information at a glance: Obtain all relevant product information such as technical information, instructions, various tutorials, direct access to all relevant engineering data or approvals of the product. β€’ Manage scanned products: Track and manage your scanned products or create your own product lists. β€’ Secure benefits with product registration: Secure attractive benefits by registering your Rittal products conveniently.

Screenshots

Sm@rtClient4 screens
Rittal Scan & Service4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Rittal Scan & Service at 63% against Sm@rtClient's 0%. Rittal Scan & Service also leads on update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 10 months) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.0). Sm@rtClient's advantage is monetization model (free vs ad-supported). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price Β· Rating Β· Positive reviews Β· Number of ratings Β· Update frequency Β· Ads Β· In-app purchases Β· Monetization Β· Best chart rank Β· Devices Β· Requires iOS

CostPrice Β· In-app purchases Β· Ads Β· Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Sm@rtClient ships an update every 10 months, Rittal Scan & Service every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences Β· 4 level
Sm@rtClient versus Rittal Scan & Service: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSm@rtClientRittal Scan & Service
PriceFreeFree
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews62.5% of reviews β€” better
Update frequencyEvery 10 monthsEvery 5 weeks β€” better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree β€” betterAd-supported
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod β€” better
Requires iOS18.015.0 β€” better
Further details β€” not scored
Size57 MB240 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSiemens AGRittal GmbH & Co. KG

Customer experience

Sm@rtClient

Written reviews2 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

Rittal Scan & Service

Written reviews8 reviews
Positive62.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative37.5%

In-app purchases

None

Sm@rtClient

No in-app purchases

None

Rittal Scan & Service

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Sm@rtClient free?
Sm@rtClient is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Rittal Scan & Service free?
Rittal Scan & Service is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Sm@rtClient or Rittal Scan & Service have ads?
Neither Sm@rtClient nor Rittal Scan & Service shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Sm@rtClient or Rittal Scan & Service?
Sm@rtClient ships an update every 10 months, and Rittal Scan & Service every 5 weeks. Most recently, Sm@rtClient was updated on October 1, 2026 and Rittal Scan & Service on October 13, 2026.

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