MalaMode vs Prayer Beads
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
MalaMode
This app provides a distraction-free environment for meditation and counting practices. It offers a customizable timer with various chime bells and a full-screen counter for focused sessions. Syncing across devices and extended timer functionality are available through one-time in-app purchases.
- Meditation timer with chime bells
- Automatic session logging
- Full-screen distraction-free counter
- Customizable counter increments
- Mala Mode for 108-bead rounds
- Apple Watch companion app
- Cross-device syncing via in-app purchase
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Elevate Your Practice with MalaMode: Premium Meditation Timer & Counter MalaMode is your dedicated companion for focused practice. Our ad-free, distraction-free environment honors your spiritual space while providing powerful modern tools. ◆ Meditation Timer - Our Most Loved Feature • A collection of beautiful chime bells for start, end and interval cues • Automatic session logging and accumulated time tracking • Save custom presets for your favorite rituals ◆ Meditation Counter • Full-screen tap surface for counting without distraction • Customizable increments with sound/vibration feedback • Mala Mode for traditional 108-bead rounds • Target Mode for daily progress towards a goal • Personalize each counter with your own name and background photo • Editable history with email sharing ◆ Apple Watch Companion "MalaWatch" (Beta) • Remotely display and increment counters from your wrist • Effortlessly switch counters with the digital crown • Ideal for walking meditation and circumambulations • Recommend launching Malamode on phone before using MalaWatch. ◆ In-App Purchases - One-Time Purchase • Premium Service: Sync multiple named counters across all your devices • Timer Upgrade: Unlimited timer length (free version: 30 min) • Bundle Upgrade: Combine both upgrades - best value Embraced by all traditions, MalaMode brings modern convenience to your mindful practice without distractions.
Prayer Beads
This application simulates a digital japamala, allowing users to practice Buddhist meditation by touching and swiping on the screen. It offers a convenient way to keep track of repetitions during prayer or meditation sessions. The app is also compatible with Apple Watch.
- Simulates japamala
- Touch and swipe interaction
- Apple Watch support
- Meditation aid
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This app simulate real japamala, simply touch and swipe down on screen to use it. Support running in Apple Watch.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ads: MalaMode at none against Prayer Beads's shown. Prayer Beads's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 4 weeks) and ratings volume (198 vs 10). On price, rating, review sentiment and in-app purchases 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. MalaMode sells 3 one-off in-app purchases and Prayer Beads sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for MalaMode against 4.8 for Prayer Beads. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Prayer Beads has 198 ratings behind it against 10, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 88% of MalaMode's written reviews are positive against 91% of Prayer Beads's.
MalaMode ships an update every 4 weeks, Prayer Beads weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 19, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | MalaMode | Prayer Beads |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (10 ratings) | 4.8 (198 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 87.5% of reviews | 90.9% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 10 | 198 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 4 weeks | Weekly — better |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 | 11.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 34 MB | 256 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Chester Wood | 乃君 黄 |
Customer experience
MalaMode
Prayer Beads
In-app purchases
MalaMode
- Premium Service$1.99
- Timer$1.99
- Bundle$2.99
Prayer Beads
- unlock all functions$0.29
- Support developer$0.99
