Kidde vs Aqua
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
Aqua
Monitor and control your compatible water softener directly from your smartphone. This app works with specific new models equipped with Aqua Alert technology for convenient home water management.
- Remote water softener monitoring
- Remote water softener control
- Compatibility with specific smart softeners
- Convenient home water management
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Aqua Alert offers you the ease and convenience of monitoring and controlling your softener from your mobile phone. Aqua Alert is available on new Novo 485HE, WaterGroup 185UF and Hydrotech 785HE water softeners that specify they are equipped with Aqua Alert technology. Note: available only on new 85HE softeners that specify they are equipped with Aqua Alert. Aqua Alert cannot be added to existing Canature WaterGroup softeners that aren’t equipped with Aqua Alert.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Kidde at 44% against Aqua's 0%. Kidde also leads on rating (4.7 vs 1.0) and ratings volume (6.9K vs 2). Aqua's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and iOS requirement (11.0 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. Aqua asks for nothing beyond the download.
Kidde holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 1.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Kidde has 6.9K ratings behind it against 2, 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 0% of Aqua's.
Kidde ships an update every 2 months, Aqua every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on October 22, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Kidde | Aqua |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (6.9K ratings) — better | 1.0 (2 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 44.5% of reviews — better | 0.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 6.9K — better | 2 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months — better | Every 5 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Freemium | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 | 11.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 88 MB | 15 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Walter Kidde Portable Equipment | Canature WaterGroup USA Inc. |
Customer experience
Kidde
Aqua
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
Aqua
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
Aqua
No in-app purchases
