Kidde vs TidalWave VSC
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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
TidalWave VSC
Control your TidalWave Variable Speed Controller remotely. Adjust pump output across 10 levels, turn power on/off, and personalize Wi-Fi settings. Manage multiple controllers from your mobile device.
- Remote power on/off
- 10-level output adjustment
- Wi-Fi settings personalization
- Multiple controller management
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Atlantic Water Gardens VSC app allows users to control the TidalWave Variable Speed Controller from their mobile device. This app enables users to turn the power on and off, as well as change the output of their TidalWave asynchronous pump in 10 levels of adjustment. VSC provides users a way to personalize Wi-Fi settings and control multiple Variable Speed Controllers.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Kidde at 45% against TidalWave VSC's 0%. Kidde also leads on rating (4.7 vs 1.5) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 15 months). TidalWave VSC's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and iOS requirement (9.3 vs 14.0). On price, 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
Both are free to download. Kidde sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. TidalWave VSC asks for nothing beyond the download.
Kidde holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 1.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Kidde has 6.7K ratings behind it against 11, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 45% of Kidde's written reviews are positive against 0% of TidalWave VSC's.
Kidde ships an update every 2 months, TidalWave VSC every 15 months. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and June 8, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Kidde | TidalWave VSC |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (6.7K ratings) — better | 1.5 (11 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 45.0% of reviews — better | 0.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 6.7K — better | 11 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months — better | Every 15 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Freemium | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 | 9.3 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 88 MB | 2 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | Walter Kidde Portable Equipment | Atlantic Water Gardens |
Customer experience
Kidde
TidalWave VSC
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
TidalWave VSC
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Kidde
- Advanced Home Health - Monthly1 Month trial$1.991 Month
- Advanced Home Health - Annual1 Month trial$19.991 Year
TidalWave VSC
No in-app purchases
