# MalaMode vs Prayer Beads

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | MalaMode | Prayer Beads |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (10 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/malamode/id1044103167/reviews) | **[4.8 (198 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/prayer-beads-buddha-bracelet/id6444226199/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 10 | **198** |
| Positive reviews | 87.5% of reviews | **90.9% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 4 weeks | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 34 MB | 256 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 | **11.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Chester Wood](https://appshunter.io/developer/1041740842) | [乃君 黄](https://appshunter.io/developer/1337343608) |

## What reviewers say

### MalaMode

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/malamode/id1044103167)

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.

**Highlights:** 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

**Features:** Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium Service | $1.99 | one-time |
| Timer | $1.99 | one-time |
| Bundle | $2.99 | one-time |


### Prayer Beads

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/prayer-beads-buddha-bracelet/id6444226199)

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.

**Highlights:** Simulates japamala, Touch and swipe interaction, Apple Watch support, Meditation aid

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| unlock all functions | $0.29 | one-time |
| Support developer | $0.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is MalaMode free?

MalaMode is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Prayer Beads free?

Prayer Beads is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, MalaMode or Prayer Beads?

Prayer Beads is rated higher. MalaMode averages 4.7 out of 5 from 10 ratings, while Prayer Beads averages 4.8 from 198 ratings.

### Do MalaMode or Prayer Beads have ads?

Prayer Beads shows ads; MalaMode does not.

### Which is updated more often, MalaMode or Prayer Beads?

MalaMode ships an update every 4 weeks, and Prayer Beads weekly. Most recently, MalaMode was updated on October 19, 2026 and Prayer Beads on October 30, 2026.

---

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