Kidde vs Call Carl
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
Call Carl
This AI assistant helps homeowners track home systems and appliances, providing timely maintenance reminders and expert advice to prevent costly repairs. It offers a comprehensive home profile, smart scheduling, and a Home Health Score to manage your property effectively.
- AI-powered maintenance advice
- Home system and appliance tracking
- Smart maintenance scheduling
- Home Health Score
- Provider contact management
- Interactive Q&A with AI
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Call Carl is your AI home maintenance assistant. Track every appliance, system, and quirk in your house — and let Carl tell you when something needs attention, before it turns into an expensive repair. Why homeowners use Call Carl: • You don't know when your HVAC was last serviced • You can't remember which filter fits the fridge • You found a leak and have no idea who to call • You bought the house six months ago and still feel behind What's inside: • Talk to Carl. Ask anything — "when should I drain the water heater?", "what's a fair price to replace this?", "is that noise normal?" Carl knows your home and gives you specific, useful answers. • Your home, mapped. During setup, Carl builds a profile of every major system in your house — HVAC, plumbing, appliances, roof, exterior. Add photos, model numbers, install dates. All in one place. • Smart reminders. Carl schedules the right maintenance for each thing you own and pings you before it's due. Filters, drain flushes, gutter cleanings — handled. • Your providers. Save the plumber, electrician, and HVAC tech you trust. Never dig through old texts again. • Home Health Score. A single number that tells you how on top of things you really are. It rewards consistency — built to grow with you over your first 90 days, not punish day one. Built for real homeowners • Simple setup — sign in, answer a few questions, done • Reminders that respect your time • Easy account deletion — your data goes with you Carl is free to use. If you find it useful, you can buy Carl a coffee (a small monthly subscription) to help keep the lights on. Questions? Email support@call-carl.com.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ratings volume: Kidde at 6.7K against Call Carl's 1. Kidde also leads on device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (14.0 vs 17.0). Call Carl's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.7). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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 and Call Carl sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Call Carl 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 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.
| Parameter | Kidde | Call Carl |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (6.7K ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 44.5% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 6.7K — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | — |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Freemium | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 88 MB | 6 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | Walter Kidde Portable Equipment | Samuel Haddaway |
Customer experience
Kidde
Call Carl
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
Call Carl
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
Call Carl
- Buy Carl a Coffee (One-Time)$0.99
- Buy Carl a Beer (One-Time Tip)$4.99
- Buy Carl a Meal (One-Time Tip)$19.99









