Comparison

Kidde vs Black

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

Black

Manage your smart home devices, optimize energy usage, and prevent water damage with this intuitive application. It offers enhanced security features and convenient control over your home's comfort and safety.

Highlights
  • Energy savings optimization
  • HVAC system monitoring
  • Water leak detection alerts
  • Automated lighting for security
  • Centralized smart device control
Features
Read full description

Experience a new level of comfort and monitoring with Black-Haak Home. This intuitive app empowers you to manage your smart home systems with ease, simplifying your daily life. Why Choose Black-Haak Home? As a trusted, family-owned company, we prioritize your home’s comfort and safety like it’s our own. Our app offers you the following advantages: • Energy savings: Enjoy lower utility bills with a thermostat that automatically adjusts to optimize energy use when you're away. • Reliable home performance: Stay informed about your HVAC system’s health, helping you prevent issues and maintain a comfortable environment for your family. • Water damage prevention: Get immediate alerts for leaks, protecting your home from costly damage. • Enhanced security: Automate your lighting to deter intruders and create a welcoming atmosphere when you arrive home. • Convenient control: Manage all your smart home devices from one user-friendly app, making home management seamless and efficient. With Black-Haak Home, you can trust that your home is in good hands. Download today and enjoy a smarter, safer home.

Screenshots

Kidde4 screens
Black4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Black at 100% against Kidde's 44%. Black also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 2) and rating (5.0 vs 4.7). Kidde's advantage is ratings volume (6.7K vs 8) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 7 months). 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Kidde sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Black asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Black holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Kidde has 6.7K ratings behind it against 8, 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 100% of Black's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Kidde ships an update every 2 months, Black every 7 months. Both last shipped on October 15, 2026.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Kidde versus Black: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterKiddeBlack
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (6.7K ratings)5.0 (8 ratings) — better
Positive reviews44.5% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings6.7K — better8
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 7 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemiumFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch
Requires iOS14.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size88 MB355 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperWalter Kidde Portable EquipmentBlack-Haak Heating Inc

Customer experience

Kidde

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

Black

All ratings8 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

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

Black

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

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

Black

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Kidde free?
Kidde is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Black free?
Black is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Kidde or Black?
Black is rated higher. Kidde averages 4.7 out of 5 from 6.7K ratings, while Black averages 5.0 from 8 ratings.
Do Kidde or Black have ads?
Neither Kidde nor Black shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Kidde or Black?
Kidde ships an update every 2 months, and Black every 7 months. Most recently, Kidde was updated on October 15, 2026 and Black on October 15, 2026.

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