# Kidde vs TidalWave VSC

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Kidde | TidalWave VSC |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (6.7K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kidde/id942334464/reviews)** | [1.5 (11 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tidalwave-vsc/id1126623347/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **6.7K** | 11 |
| Positive reviews | **45.0% of reviews** | 0.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 months** | Every 15 months |
| Monetization | Freemium | **Free** |
| Size | 88 MB | 2 MB |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 | **9.3** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Walter Kidde Portable Equipment](https://appshunter.io/developer/942334463) | [Atlantic Water Gardens](https://appshunter.io/developer/1139219423) |

## What reviewers say

### Kidde

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kidde/id942334464)

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:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Advanced Home Health - Monthly | $1.99 | per month |
| Advanced Home Health - Annual | $19.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

- 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**

- 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

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tidalwave-vsc/id1126623347)

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.

**Highlights:** Remote power on/off, 10-level output adjustment, Wi-Fi settings personalization, Multiple controller management

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Kidde free?

Kidde is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is TidalWave VSC free?

TidalWave VSC is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Kidde or TidalWave VSC?

Kidde is rated higher. Kidde averages 4.7 out of 5 from 6.7K ratings, while TidalWave VSC averages 1.5 from 11 ratings.

### Do Kidde or TidalWave VSC have ads?

Neither Kidde nor TidalWave VSC shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Kidde or TidalWave VSC?

Kidde ships an update every 2 months, and TidalWave VSC every 15 months. Most recently, Kidde was updated on September 23, 2026 and TidalWave VSC on June 8, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*