How we ranked them
We asked what a pool owner needs every week: enter a test, get the right amounts for the products you have, in the right order, and keep a record. Then we looked at price, what's free, whether an account is required, and anything that ties you to one brand. Each entry says who it's best for, because the best app for a Spin Touch owner isn't the best for a strip user.
1. Pool Calc
Best for: one pool with every feature free, and doses for the products you already own.
Enter the whole test on one screen and Pool Calc gives an ordered plan: what to add first, how much of each product on your shelf at the strength on its label, and how long to wait. It shows the CSI water balance, keeps the full log with charts, and backs up to your iCloud, all free for one pool and its attached spa, with no account and no ads. Plus covers up to 5 pools ($14.99 a year) and Pro unlimited ($79.99 a year), both with tools for pool techs.
Why it isn't perfect: it's new (on the App Store at launch), iPhone only, English at launch, and it doesn't read strips from a photo or connect to meters.
2. Pool Math by TroubleFreePool
Best for: people who follow the TroubleFreePool method.
A capable calculator from the TroubleFreePool forum, with maintenance tracking and a CSI calculator. Premium is only $7.99 a year and adds unlimited log history, reminders, sync and more pools or spas. It runs on iPhone, iPad, Mac and Android. Its App Store rating is 3.6 from 287 ratings, and a 2022 reviewer reported custom targets resetting. Compare with Pool Calc.
3. Orenda
Best for: a free LSI and dosing calculator, with training.
Free with no in-app purchases, well rated (4.7 from 477), and backed by videos and Orenda Academy. It's a calculator: the listing doesn't describe a saved log or client list. Compare with Pool Calc.
4. WaterLink Home (LaMotte)
Best for: owners of a LaMotte Spin, ColorQ 2x or Pulse meter.
Results arrive over Bluetooth, and it can scan some LaMotte strips. Free, up to 5 bodies of water, with a free account. If you don't have a LaMotte meter, its main advantage doesn't apply. Compare with Pool Calc.
5. HTH Pools App
Best for: scanning HTH strips with your camera.
Free and well rated (4.7 from 4.1K), with spa strip support, videos and a store locator. Recommendations are HTH products, and history is saved with a myHTH account. Some reviewers report inconsistent photo readings. Compare with Pool Calc.
6. Clorox Pool
Best for: beginners who want a strip scan and a product to buy.
The most-rated app here (4.6 from 29K). Scan a strip or type results, get product and dosage recommendations, and add them to a store cart. The listing says you can view your last 10 water analyses. Compare with Pool Calc.
7. Pool Chem Calculator
Best for: the lowest price for many pools.
24 calculators and a service workspace, free for one pool with ads, and $1.99 a month for up to 100 pools. No account needed to start. Compare with Pool Calc.
8. Taylor sureTREAT
Best for: advice from the maker of your Taylor kit.
Taylor's free treatment tool, on the web and as an app, in 16 languages. Enter results and get treatments for your preferred brand. The App Store rating was recently reset, so there's no rating to show.
9. Leslie's - Pool Care
Best for: people who get their water tested at Leslie's.
Shows in-store and AccuBlue Home results, with treatment plans, ordering and rewards. Rated 4.6 from 14K. Its listing doesn't describe entering your own kit's results. Compare with Pool Calc.
10. AquaChek Connect
Best for: AquaChek Select Connect strip users whose phone camera reads them well.
Free, no registration, with photo capture and manual entry. It's rated 3.2 from 1.2K ratings, and several reviews on its App Store page report the camera not reading strips on newer iPhones. Compare with Pool Calc.