# SMSV vs Athon

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: SMSV at none against Athon's 9. SMSV also leads on iOS requirement (14.0 vs 17.6). Athon's advantage is update cadence (every 6 days vs every 5 months). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Athon sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. SMSV asks for nothing beyond the download.

SMSV ships an update every 5 months, Athon every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | SMSV | Athon |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | **[4.9 (722 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/athon-orthodox-bible/id6748612588/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **722** |
| Positive reviews | — | 91.7% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | **Every 6 days** |
| Monetization | — | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 43 MB | 513 MB |
| Requires iOS | **14.0** | 17.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 12+ | +17 |
| Developer | [St Maurice And St Verena Coptic Orthodox Church](https://appshunter.io/developer/1512008196) | [Product Tech SRL](https://appshunter.io/developer/1826568404) |

## What reviewers say

### SMSV

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smsv/id1145604785)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Athon

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/athon-orthodox-bible/id6748612588)

This app integrates Orthodox Christian practices into daily life, offering scripture readings, fasting calendars, audio Bible studies, and lives of saints. It provides a structured and devotional experience for those seeking to deepen their faith, learn about Orthodoxy, or maintain spiritual connection.

**Highlights:** Daily Orthodox Scripture readings, Feast and fasting calendars, Audio Bible studies, Lives of over 900 saints, Offline Orthodox Bible, Complete prayer book with audio, AI-powered Orthodox Q&A

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

**In-app purchases (9)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Athon Weekly | $2.99 | per 7 days |
| 3-Day Free Trial | $4.99 | per month |
| Unlock Full Access | $4.99 | per month |
| Athon Monthly – Premium Access | $6.99 | per month |
| Athon Yearly - Premium 50% OFF | $19.99 | per year |
| Athon Yearly - Premium 25 OFF | $29.99 | per year |
| Athon Premium | $39.99 | per year |
| Full Access – Yearly Plan | $39.99 | per year |
| Athon Yearly – Premium Access | $49.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🙏 Helpful and inspiring daily tips
- 📖 Useful resources for spiritual growth
- 📆 Reminders for prayers, fasts, and feast days
- 🌟 Beautifully designed with inspiring artwork
- 🧭 Excellent guidance for new Orthodox Christians

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Premium features locked behind paywall
- 🤖 Concerns about AI-generated content

**Reported bugs**

- None reported

**Requested features**

- Ability to add personal prayer rule to daily routine
- Offline mode for prayers and scripture reading


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SMSV free?

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

### Is Athon free?

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

### Do SMSV or Athon have ads?

Neither SMSV nor Athon shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, SMSV or Athon?

SMSV ships an update every 5 months, and Athon every 6 days. Most recently, SMSV was updated on October 29, 2026 and Athon on October 30, 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.*