# Sidefari vs Beam Browser

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Beam Browser at none against Sidefari's 4. Beam Browser also leads on update cadence (every 8 days vs every 3 weeks). Sidefari's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and device support (3 vs 1). On price there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Sidefari sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Beam Browser asks for nothing beyond the download.

Sidefari ships an update every 3 weeks, Beam Browser every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Sidefari | Beam Browser |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.0 (145 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sidefari/id1046968235/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **145** | — |
| Positive reviews | 65.9% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Every 8 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 26 MB | 672 MB |
| Requires iOS | **9.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Francisco Cantu](https://appshunter.io/developer/1535386076) | [Shenzhen Yibo Technology Co., Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1783520245) |

## What reviewers say

### Sidefari

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sidefari/id1046968235)

This app acts as a companion to Safari, offering a "mini" version of the browser within other applications. It allows for convenient access to Safari features and content blockers, enhancing privacy and user experience.

**Highlights:** Safari View Controller integration, Content blocker support, Open Modally in Safari extension, Side-by-side browsing on iPad, Privacy-focused browsing

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Tip | $0.99 | one-time |
| Generous Tip | $2.99 | one-time |
| Giant Tip | $4.99 | one-time |
| Gargantuan Tip | $9.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast and direct app opening
- 👍 Useful for sharing between browsers
- 💡 Fills a gap for apps without SVC support
- 👍 Great for multitasking on iPad
- 👍 Works well with content blockers

**What reviewers complain about**

- 😞 Broken and doesn't work
- 😞 Unclear how to use
- 😞 Not very useful
- 😞 Very limited functions
- 😞 Causes phone reboots

**Reported bugs**

- Won't do anything for iPad Gen/Air
- Flat out broken
- Unable to use
- Won't Install on iPhone
- Causes phone to reboot

**Requested features**

- iPhone X update
- Ability to have two Safari apps open simultaneously
- Improve keyboard input focus
- Add bookmarks or a Safari homescreen
- Send Safari page to Sidefari as well as the other way


### Beam Browser

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/beam-browser-fast-and-private/id6740744373)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Sidefari free?

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

### Is Beam Browser free?

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

### Do Sidefari or Beam Browser have ads?

Beam Browser shows ads; Sidefari does not.

### Which is updated more often, Sidefari or Beam Browser?

Sidefari ships an update every 3 weeks, and Beam Browser every 8 days. Most recently, Sidefari was updated on October 20, 2026 and Beam Browser on October 25, 2026.

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