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Skimmer vs. AquaChek (AquaChek Connect)
A free app from a test-strip and chemical brand, some versions built around a smart-strip reader that's since been discontinued.
Pricing at a glance
What each one actually costs.
Skimmer
$19.99/ year
7-day free trial, cancel anytime
AquaChek (AquaChek Connect)
Free (no subscription, but the app is tied to AquaChek's own test strips and chemical products)
Competitor pricing reflects publicly listed rates and can change without notice. Confirm the current price directly with AquaChek (AquaChek Connect) before buying.
Feature by feature
Skimmer vs. AquaChek (AquaChek Connect), side by side.
| Feature | Skimmer | AquaChek (AquaChek Connect) |
|---|---|---|
| Water chemistry tracking | ||
| Chemical dosing guidance | Tuned toward AquaChek-branded products | |
| Requires proprietary reader hardware | Never required | Some versions relied on a reader that's since been discontinued |
| Brand-neutral, works with any test method | ✗ | |
| Equipment lifecycle tracking | ✗ | |
| Resale-grade PDF export | ✗ | |
| Price | $19.99/yr | Free, tied to AquaChek strips and chemicals |
Why Skimmer
Where Skimmer pulls ahead.
- Not tied to a specific test-strip or chemical brand, use whatever testing method you already prefer
- No dependency on discontinued reader hardware, every reading is a simple manual entry
- Equipment lifecycle tracking and a resale-grade PDF export
- No backend and no account, fully offline
- A transparent, flat annual price instead of a free app that exists to sell consumables
Frequently asked
Questions about Skimmer vs. AquaChek (AquaChek Connect)
Is AquaChek Connect free to use?
Yes, there's no subscription cost. Like Orenda, AquaChek is a test-strip and chemical manufacturer, and the app is free in large part because it supports sales of AquaChek's own products, not because it's a neutral tracking tool.
Do I need AquaChek's smart strip reader to use the app?
Some past versions of AquaChek Connect were built around a smart-strip-reader hardware accessory, which has since been discontinued. Skimmer never requires any hardware, you enter readings manually from whatever test method you use, strips, a liquid kit, or otherwise.
Can I use AquaChek's app with test strips from another brand?
It's designed around AquaChek's own strips and product line. Skimmer doesn't care which brand of strips or reagents you use, it just logs the numbers.
Does AquaChek Connect track equipment or produce a service-history report?
No, it's focused on water testing and product recommendations tied to AquaChek's line, not on equipment lifecycle tracking or an exportable service-history document, both of which are core to what Skimmer does.
Ready to switch from AquaChek (AquaChek Connect)?
7-day free trial, $19.99/yr after. No account, no ads, no backend to shut down.
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