# Alpha Smart Control Unit vs Shortys

The clearest difference is ads: Alpha Smart Control Unit at none against Shortys's shown. Alpha Smart Control Unit also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 4 months) and iOS requirement (8.0 vs 13.0). On price, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

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

Alpha Smart Control Unit ships an update every 2 months, Shortys every 4 months. Both last shipped on September 10, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Alpha Smart Control Unit | Shortys |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 months** | Every 4 months |
| Size | 27 MB | 86 MB |
| Requires iOS | **8.0** | 13.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPod, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Teranovo](https://appshunter.io/developer/1250774924) | [Alpha Ralph LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1523851153) |

## What reviewers say

### Alpha Smart Control Unit

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/alpha-smart-control-unit/id1081722956)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Shortys

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shortys/id6450647786)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Wallet

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Alpha Smart Control Unit free?

Alpha Smart Control Unit is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Shortys free?

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

### Do Alpha Smart Control Unit or Shortys have ads?

Shortys shows ads; Alpha Smart Control Unit does not.

### Which is updated more often, Alpha Smart Control Unit or Shortys?

Alpha Smart Control Unit ships an update every 2 months, and Shortys every 4 months. Most recently, Alpha Smart Control Unit was updated on September 10, 2026 and Shortys on September 10, 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.*