# Smart Shades vs Sunsa

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Sunsa at 83% against Smart Shades's 25%. Sunsa also leads on rating (4.5 vs 2.1) and monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs paid). Smart Shades's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 29 months). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Sunsa holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 2.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 62 and 27 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 25% of Smart Shades's written reviews are positive against 83% of Sunsa's.

Smart Shades ships an update every 2 months, Sunsa every 29 months. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and June 1, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Smart Shades | Sunsa |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.1 (62 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smart-shades/id1016406862/reviews) | **[4.5 (27 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sunsa/id1479444977/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **62** | 27 |
| Positive reviews | 25.0% of reviews | **83.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 months** | Every 29 months |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 47 MB | 21 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **13.4** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Wazombi](https://appshunter.io/developer/922472388) | [Sunsa, Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/1479444976) |

## What reviewers say

### Smart Shades

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smart-shades/id1016406862)

Transform your existing window shades into smart devices with this solar-powered, wireless gadget. Control your blinds remotely via a smartphone app, setting custom schedules and automated movements for enhanced convenience.

**Highlights:** Turns regular shades into smart shades, Solar-powered operation, Wireless and easy installation, Smartphone app control, Automated patterns and schedules, Bluetooth Low Energy communication

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Works with HomeKit
- 👍 Automations and scenes work
- 👍 Good product, great service
- 👍 Easy to set up
- 👍 Works well with HomeKit

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 App crashes frequently
- 🐛 App not opening
- 🐛 Basic and poorly designed
- 🐛 Unreliable connectivity
- 🐛 Software awful

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes with Smart Shades 3
- App crashes after update
- App crashes instantly
- App closes itself right away
- App won't open at all

**Requested features**

- Matter support
- Change app language
- Change highest/lowest position
- Recalibrate function
- Simple up and down buttons


### Sunsa

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sunsa/id1479444977)

Automate your existing blinds with motorized control from your phone. Schedule them to open and close for natural light or privacy, and create groups to manage multiple blinds simultaneously. Enhance home security by simulating occupancy while away.

**Highlights:** Motorize existing blinds, Remote control via smartphone, Customizable schedules, Group control for multiple blinds, Simulate home occupancy

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Smart Shades free?

Smart Shades is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Sunsa free?

Sunsa is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Smart Shades or Sunsa?

Sunsa is rated higher. Smart Shades averages 2.1 out of 5 from 62 ratings, while Sunsa averages 4.5 from 27 ratings.

### Do Smart Shades or Sunsa have ads?

Neither Smart Shades nor Sunsa shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Smart Shades or Sunsa?

Smart Shades ships an update every 2 months, and Sunsa every 29 months. Most recently, Smart Shades was updated on September 22, 2026 and Sunsa on June 1, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*