Kidde vs First Alert by Resideo
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
First Alert by Resideo
Monitor and manage your smart home devices for comfort, safety, and water leak detection. Receive alerts whether you're home or away, and integrate with various smart home partners for comprehensive control.
- Whole-home device management
- Real-time alerts (home/away)
- Comfort control (thermostats)
- Smart smoke & CO detection
- Video monitoring (doorbell/cameras)
- Water leak detection & shutoff
- Smart home partner integration
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Take control of your home’s comfort, safety, and water leak detection with the First Alert app. Whether at home or away, this whole home solution lets you monitor and manage your smart home devices. Powered by our family of brands, the First Alert app is compatible across select Resideo, Honeywell Home and First Alert branded products. Plus, integrate with smart home partners to control additional devices in your home. Start connecting to what matters most with the First Alert app. • Whole-Home Coverage: Manage video, smart smoke & carbon monoxide alarms, select smart thermostats, and water leak detection in one intuitive app. • Alerts Whether Home or Away: Receive alerts for water leaks, motion, smoke or CO incidents and more, so you’re always connected. • Trusted Brands: Powered by select Resideo, Honeywell Home and First Alert devices for reliable, trusted performance. Key Features • Comfort Control: Manage select Honeywell Home smart thermostats, set schedules, enroll in energy-saving programs to help save on utility. • Smart Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detection: Fire safety you trust is now connected and compatible. Add smart fire & CO safety alerts to your home and stay connected whether home or away. Plus, seamlessly integrate with existing Google Nest Protect Alarms* in your home to expand your safety ecosystem or if it’s time to replace. • Smart Home Awareness Video Offering: Stay connected to First Alert Video Doorbell and Outdoor Cameras with advanced event detection for improved event information (people, pets, vehicles, packages) and notifications. • Water Leak Detection: Water leaks can happen, and the First Alert WiFi Water Leak and Freeze Detector helps detect leaks early and help prevent damage. Plus, our Water Shutoff Device can be installed by a professional to shut off your home’s water supply when it detects water via the sensor cable or paired with the WiFi Water Leak and Freeze Detector. • Smart Home Partner devices: Now control additional devices including Schlage smart locks, Kwikset smart locks and Genie garage door openers for ultimate convenience in one app. Plus, integrate with the leading Smart Home Platforms for the ultimate convenience and control. Expand your home’s protection with our whole home offering. Learn more about our family of connected smart products at Resideo.com/FirstAlertApp • New to our brands? Download the app and easily add devices with a guided setup.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: First Alert by Resideo at none against Kidde's 2. First Alert by Resideo also leads on chart position (#71 vs unranked) and update cadence (monthly vs every 2 months). Kidde's advantage is review sentiment (45% vs 21%). On price, rating, ads and monetization model 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. First Alert by Resideo asks for nothing beyond the download.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Kidde against 4.8 for First Alert by Resideo. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: First Alert by Resideo has 34K ratings behind it against 6.7K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 45% of Kidde's written reviews are positive against 21% of First Alert by Resideo's.
Kidde ships an update every 2 months, First Alert by Resideo monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Kidde | First Alert by Resideo |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (6.7K ratings) | 4.8 (34K ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 45.0% of reviews — better | 21.5% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 6.7K | 34K — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Monthly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Freemium | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | #71 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 — better | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 88 MB | 211 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | Walter Kidde Portable Equipment | Resideo Technologies, Inc. |
Customer experience
Kidde
First Alert by Resideo
User reviews
Kidde
From 6.7K App Store ratingsWhat 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
First Alert by Resideo
From 34K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Functionality when it works
- 👍 Useful for smart home monitoring
Room to improve
- 🐛 Frequent crashes and login issues
- 🤯 Confusing and unintuitive UI
- 🔒 Privacy concerns with data collection
- 🔌 Compatibility issues with other smart home devices
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
First Alert by Resideo
Reported bugs
3 issues- Sign-in button not functioning
- Delayed HVAC runtime data updates
- Inability to add new devices
Requested features
3 requests- Option to switch between Celsius and Fahrenheit
- Improved remote sensor integration
- Apple Watch and landscape mode support
In-app purchases
Kidde
- Advanced Home Health - Monthly1 Month trial$1.991 Month
- Advanced Home Health - Annual1 Month trial$19.991 Year
First Alert by Resideo
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Kidde free?
Is First Alert by Resideo free?
Which has better reviews, Kidde or First Alert by Resideo?
Do Kidde or First Alert by Resideo have ads?
Which is updated more often, Kidde or First Alert by Resideo?
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