Comparison

Kidde vs Onelink Home by First Alert

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

Head to head
About

Kidde

This app connects to smart home safety devices, providing real-time alerts for smoke, CO, air quality, and water leaks. It offers features like Smart Hush, remote notifications to loved ones, and advanced indoor air quality monitoring through a subscription service.

Highlights
  • Real-time alarm notifications
  • Smart Hush functionality
  • QR code setup for Wi-Fi connection
  • Device replacement notifications
  • Remote notifications to friends/family
  • Advanced Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) monitoring
  • Mold Risk Analysis
Features
Read full description

Step into the future with Kidde Smart Home Safety – where the intelligence of modern homes meets cutting-edge protection. The Kidde app seamlessly integrates with your smart home safety devices, delivering real-time alerts, Smart Hush® functionality, and more, all at your fingertips. Explore the Tech-Savvy Features: - Receive instant alarm notifications for smoke, carbon monoxide, indoor air quality issues, or water leaks. - Effortlessly set up alarms by scanning the QR code on the product, connected to your home Wi-Fi 2.4GHz network. - Easily test your alarm's functionality when you are at home. - Stay informed with notifications for device replacements. - Notify friends and family if hazards are detected when you're away. Unlock Advanced Home Health - Elevate Your IAQ Experience: Introducing Advanced Home Health, an exclusive indoor air quality subscription that seamlessly integrates premium features into your IAQ devices. Immerse yourself in the futuristic experience of our revamped IAQ dashboard, featuring a sleek design and a cutting-edge interface designed for tech-savvy subscribers. Subscription perks include: - Advanced Mold Risk Analysis - Thermal Comfort readings - Weekly air quality reports covering temperature, humidity, TVOC, Mold Risk, and Thermal Comfort. - Enjoy a 10% discount on ShopKidde.com. Discover Smart Devices: - Smoke + Carbon Monoxide Alarm with smart features – Double the detection for enhanced safety. - Smoke + Carbon Monoxide Alarm with Indoor Air Quality Monitor – An industry first, combining smoke and CO detection with IAQ monitoring. - Carbon Monoxide Alarm with Indoor Air Quality Monitor – Easy plug-in operation for reliable detection. - Water Leak + Freeze Detector – Early detection to prevent damage. - RemoteLync Camera (Sunsetting on January 7, 2024) – A cordless, Wi-Fi-enabled security camera capturing clips and providing alerts. Embrace the future of home safety with Kidde Smart Home Protection – where technology meets peace of mind. Terms of Use: https://help.kidde.com/hc/en/6-kidde/faq/589-terms-of-service/?l=en

About

Onelink Home by First Alert

Manage and monitor your connected home devices, including smart smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Receive emergency notifications and enjoy premium audio and voice commands with integrated smart assistants.

Highlights
  • Device installation and pairing
  • Real-time monitoring
  • Smoke and CO emergency notifications
  • Integrated Amazon Alexa
  • Premium audio speaker
  • Hands-free voice commands
Read full description

Download the Onelink Home app to install, pair, and monitor all of your Onelink by First Alert connected home devices. Now featuring the Onelink Safe & Sound, the 3-in-1 device that combines a hardwired smart smoke and carbon monoxide alarm with a premium speaker and embedded Amazon Alexa voice assistant. With safety notifications in the event of a smoke or CO emergency, plus premium audio and hands-free voice commands, the Safe & Sound adds safety, entertainment, and convenience to any home. The Onelink Home app also supports Onelink Smoke & Carbon Monoxide alarms, providing smart safety and comfort to your home.

Screenshots

Kidde4 screens
Onelink Home by First Alert4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Kidde at 4.7 against Onelink Home by First Alert's 1.5. Kidde also leads on review sentiment (44% vs 9%) and ratings volume (7K vs 306). Onelink Home by First Alert's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and iOS requirement (10.0 vs 14.0). On price, update cadence, ads 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. Kidde sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Onelink Home by First Alert asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Kidde holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 1.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Kidde has 7K ratings behind it against 306, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 44% of Kidde's written reviews are positive against 9% of Onelink Home by First Alert's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Kidde ships an update every 2 months, Onelink Home by First Alert every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Kidde versus Onelink Home by First Alert: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterKiddeOnelink Home by First Alert
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (7K ratings) — better1.5 (306 ratings)
Positive reviews44.5% of reviews — better9.2% of reviews
Number of ratings7K — better306
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemiumFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS14.010.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size88 MB241 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperWalter Kidde Portable EquipmentFirst Alert / BRK Brands

Customer experience

Kidde

All ratings6,671 ratings
Positive95.1%
Neutral1.7%
Negative3.1%
Written reviews218 reviews
Positive44.5%
Neutral8.7%
Negative46.8%

Onelink Home by First Alert

All ratings295 ratings
Positive9.2%
Neutral3.7%
Negative87.1%
Written reviews142 reviews
Positive9.2%
Neutral4.9%
Negative85.9%

User reviews

Kidde

From 7K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Easy setup
  • 👍 Helpful app features
  • 🔒 Provides peace of mind
  • 💡 Useful air quality monitoring
  • 👍 Good customer support

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent false alarms
  • 🐛 Connectivity issues
  • 🐛 Buggy app and firmware
  • 👎 Paywalled features
  • 👎 Poor user experience

Onelink Home by First Alert

From 306 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Easy setup
  • 🚀 Smooth installation process
  • 🔒 Seamless HomeKit integration

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Buggy app with frequent crashes
  • 🤖 Poor Alexa/Google Home integration
  • 🔌 Connectivity issues with WiFi and Bluetooth
  • 🔇 Unreliable notifications and alarm silencing
  • 🕰️ Slow response times during emergencies

Bugs and requests

Kidde

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • App unable to connect to devices
  • Firmware updates failing
  • Devices going offline randomly
  • Notifications not working as expected
  • Inconsistent device naming in app

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add HomeKit support
  • Improve historical data tracking
  • Provide more detailed temperature/air quality data
  • Allow remote alarm silencing
  • Enhance app stability and usability

Onelink Home by First Alert

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • App fails to recognize existing accounts
  • Devices disappear from app and HomeKit
  • Alarms going off for no reason
  • Inability to silence alarms remotely

Requested features

4 requests
  • Ability to disable Alexa/Google Home integration
  • Improved firmware update process
  • More customization options for nightlight and alarm settings
  • Better app performance and stability

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Kidde

Subscriptions2
  • Advanced Home Health - Monthly1 Month trial$1.991 Month
  • Advanced Home Health - Annual1 Month trial$19.991 Year
None

Onelink Home by First Alert

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Kidde free?
Kidde is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Onelink Home by First Alert free?
Onelink Home by First Alert is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Kidde or Onelink Home by First Alert?
Kidde is rated higher. Kidde averages 4.7 out of 5 from 7K ratings, while Onelink Home by First Alert averages 1.5 from 306 ratings.
Do Kidde or Onelink Home by First Alert have ads?
Neither Kidde nor Onelink Home by First Alert shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Kidde or Onelink Home by First Alert?
Kidde ships an update every 2 months, and Onelink Home by First Alert every 3 months. Most recently, Kidde was updated on October 26, 2026 and Onelink Home by First Alert on October 23, 2026.

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