Reviews of RainMachine

By: Green Electronics LLC App

List of user reviews and ratings for RainMachine

Total ratings

1.45 (Rating count: 563)

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Review summary

RainMachine was once praised for its reliable smart sprinkler control with weather-based watering and easy remote access. However, multiple users now report severe problems including frequent connection failures, unreliable local WiFi access, slow and unstable app performance, and frustration with the recent switch to a paid subscription model that locks out free access. Many consider the app virtually unusable and feel the company "bait and switched" customers by introducing fees years after purchase. Despite these issues, the hardware and system concept are still regarded positively.

Pros

Originally worked well and offered easy remote sprinkler control from anywhere.
Device and app are easy to set up with helpful suggested watering times that save water.
The system could connect to weather servers to adjust watering automatically.
Remote access used to work effectively without the need for complex configurations.
Web interface allows local control by entering IP address in a browser.

Cons

Recent app updates introduced a paid subscription for remote and even local access, causing major user dissatisfaction.
Persistent connection issues with the app losing WiFi connectivity and failing to reconnect reliably.
App often gets stuck showing premium subscription prompts, blocking access to device controls.
Local network access in the app is unreliable or completely broken for many users, even on same WiFi.
Performance is slow, with long load times and unstable app behavior, such as crashes and failure to respond.

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User Reviews

Recent rating average: 1.20

All time rating average: 1.45

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81% (17)

Date	Author	Comment
2024-10-09	Ja*****	They were ahead of time with smart sprinkler systems but unfortunately went out of business. It started several years ago when charged to use the cloud server and didn't get enough subscribers. For those of you who stated its a simple basic timer system now is incorrect. Mine still gets weather updates from weather servers and calculates how much to water. Although yes the app can't access the system on the local network you can still type in your ip address in the web broswer to gain access.
They were ahead of time with smart sprinkler systems but unfortunately went out of business. It started several years ago when charged to use the cloud server and didn't get enough subscribers. For those of you who stated its a simple basic timer system now is incorrect. Mine still gets weather updates from weather servers and calculates how much to water. Although yes the app can't access the system on the local network you can still type in your ip address in the web broswer to gain access.
2024-09-03	Fi*****	Lost all connections to all weather channels. Now it is just a stupid timer that takes 20 min and 20 attempts to connect to rainmashine to turn off the schedule during rain days. Horrible experience. Any 20 year old timers would work just the same. Do not buy this rainmashine! I'm surprised they are still in business. They are not even replying to negative reviews. They simply don't give a damn. Update: it's completely dead now. Wouldn't turn on. Total garbage.
Lost all connections to all weather channels. Now it is just a stupid timer that takes 20 min and 20 attempts to connect to rainmashine to turn off the schedule during rain days. Horrible experience. Any 20 year old timers would work just the same. Do not buy this rainmashine! I'm surprised they are still in business. They are not even replying to negative reviews. They simply don't give a damn. Update: it's completely dead now. Wouldn't turn on. Total garbage.
2024-08-28	Tr*****	Never connects on wifi anymore, seems to be the case for everyone. Shouldn't be listed as free, just software lock it entirely and be honest with the bait and switch for remote access. Had it installed in 2015. Update: 0 stars. I'm a software engineer. I tried side loading a version that worked before years ago and still does not work. This change was intentional. It is unethical and should be illegal. Shame on alphabet for allowing it. Never buying anything from rain machine again.
Never connects on wifi anymore, seems to be the case for everyone. Shouldn't be listed as free, just software lock it entirely and be honest with the bait and switch for remote access. Had it installed in 2015. Update: 0 stars. I'm a software engineer. I tried side loading a version that worked before years ago and still does not work. This change was intentional. It is unethical and should be illegal. Shame on alphabet for allowing it. Never buying anything from rain machine again.
2024-07-05	Ma*****	I can't click on any of my devices in the app. It just keeps me on the page with the list of my devices. It's working fine on my iOS device. Clearing data and cache did not help. I'm on a Pixel 8 running the latest OS. It worked fine for years, so not sure what changed in the past week.
I can't click on any of my devices in the app. It just keeps me on the page with the list of my devices. It's working fine on my iOS device. Clearing data and cache did not help. I'm on a Pixel 8 running the latest OS. It worked fine for years, so not sure what changed in the past week.
2024-07-04	Jo*****	App doesn't work half the time. There's no remote access. Only when I'm on home wifi and still extremely unstable. Read that need to pay to use app. That's "bait&switch". When i got the system there was no charge and that's why i got it. I understand that it might be a charge for app but only for those who buy it now and know ahead of time that there's monthly fee. Moreover, it could be raining before, during ot after scheduled time, waters anyway. 1 star rating for 1 star service. Fair!
App doesn't work half the time. There's no remote access. Only when I'm on home wifi and still extremely unstable. Read that need to pay to use app. That's "bait&switch". When i got the system there was no charge and that's why i got it. I understand that it might be a charge for app but only for those who buy it now and know ahead of time that there's monthly fee. Moreover, it could be raining before, during ot after scheduled time, waters anyway. 1 star rating for 1 star service. Fair!
2024-05-23	Da*****	App has problems maintaining connection to rain machine. Plus it takes forever to load the data onto the phone each time it tries to reconnect. It's useless most the time. This used to be a really great system but it is so bad and unreliable I am starting to look for a replacement controller with better software
App has problems maintaining connection to rain machine. Plus it takes forever to load the data onto the phone each time it tries to reconnect. It's useless most the time. This used to be a really great system but it is so bad and unreliable I am starting to look for a replacement controller with better software
2024-05-16	Te*****	Had Loved the controller & app for many years. This spring (2024) went to turn on/run my system & the app won't connect (& yes even after trying several troubleshooting tips from their site). Now, apparently will have to pay to use. Do Not want to or like having to pay a subscription! The unit was costly enough at the time of purchase. It's purchase should cover app usage thru lifetime of product. App getting a 1 star cause of the latest "glitch" I'm experiencing. Disappointed!
Had Loved the controller & app for many years. This spring (2024) went to turn on/run my system & the app won't connect (& yes even after trying several troubleshooting tips from their site). Now, apparently will have to pay to use. Do Not want to or like having to pay a subscription! The unit was costly enough at the time of purchase. It's purchase should cover app usage thru lifetime of product. App getting a 1 star cause of the latest "glitch" I'm experiencing. Disappointed!
2023-09-05	Jo*****	Poorly written app that has had constant connection issues for years now. I have mesh network both inside and outside so it's not an issue with the app switching over to cellular signal. Often times just the act of the phone locking is enough to lose connection which is then impossible to reconnect. App restarts don't seem to help. The myriad of terrible reviews say it all. This used to be a good app/system but no longer. If you're considering buying this sprinkler controller...don't.
Poorly written app that has had constant connection issues for years now. I have mesh network both inside and outside so it's not an issue with the app switching over to cellular signal. Often times just the act of the phone locking is enough to lose connection which is then impossible to reconnect. App restarts don't seem to help. The myriad of terrible reviews say it all. This used to be a good app/system but no longer. If you're considering buying this sprinkler controller...don't.
2023-06-19	Jo*****	When I originally installed these devices they worked beautifully. I had two of them in different states and I was able to manage my irrigation systems from anywhere. Once they disabled free remote access, that was a problem. I did find a workaround. Not for difficult for a novice but you can still access them remotely if you know how to do port forwarding on your router. Both of mine are now again remotely accessible.
When I originally installed these devices they worked beautifully. I had two of them in different states and I was able to manage my irrigation systems from anywhere. Once they disabled free remote access, that was a problem. I did find a workaround. Not for difficult for a novice but you can still access them remotely if you know how to do port forwarding on your router. Both of mine are now again remotely accessible.
2023-06-18	No*****	Prior Review: DAMN IT! I CANNOT GET LOCAL ACCESS! KEEPS DEFAULTING TO REMOTE ACCESS! HOW DO I FIX THIS??? Ever since they made this a subscription app for remote access, I have a very difficult time loading local access. I've try several times. I've closed the app and re-launch to no avail. It keeps coming up with Remote Access and not Local IP when I'm at HOME.
Prior Review: DAMN IT! I CANNOT GET LOCAL ACCESS! KEEPS DEFAULTING TO REMOTE ACCESS! HOW DO I FIX THIS??? Ever since they made this a subscription app for remote access, I have a very difficult time loading local access. I've try several times. I've closed the app and re-launch to no avail. It keeps coming up with Remote Access and not Local IP when I'm at HOME.