# Shimagurashi vs MessageBottle Widget

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: MessageBottle Widget at none against Shimagurashi's 10. MessageBottle Widget also leads on ads (none vs shown). Shimagurashi's advantage is review sentiment (48% vs 20%) and update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 4 months). On price, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Shimagurashi sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. MessageBottle Widget asks for nothing beyond the download.

Shimagurashi ships an update every 5 weeks, MessageBottle Widget every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Shimagurashi | MessageBottle Widget |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.5 (6.3K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shimagurashi-bottle-message/id1146426914/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **6.3K** | — |
| Positive reviews | **47.7% of reviews** | 20.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 5 weeks** | Every 4 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 376 MB | 14 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 14.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [MeisterBrain Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1146426913) | [YUTA MIYOSHI](https://appshunter.io/developer/878543402) |

## What reviewers say

### Shimagurashi

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shimagurashi-bottle-message/id1146426914)

Connect with Japanese users through anonymous message exchanges. Features automatic translation, avatar customization, and a relaxing, storybook-like world. Earn rewards by interacting to liven up your virtual island.

**Highlights:** Anonymous messaging, Automatic translation, Virtual island customization, Avatar fashion, In-app rewards system, Relaxing world view

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Glass Pieces 100 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Stylish Tickets 30 | $2.99 | one-time |
| Sticker Tickets 300 | $2.99 | one-time |
| House Tickets 30 | $2.99 | one-time |
| Glass Pieces 500 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Stylish Tickets 63 | $5.99 | one-time |
| House Tickets 63 | $5.99 | one-time |
| Glass Pieces 1200 | $9.99 | one-time |
| Glass Pieces 2500 | $19.99 | one-time |
| Glass Pieces 6500 | $42.99 | one-time |


### MessageBottle Widget

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/messagebottle-widget/id1535000031)

Receive a daily message from someone directly on your iPhone's home screen. This widget allows you to add a touch of the unexpected to your daily routine by delivering a new message each day, and you can also send messages to others.

**Highlights:** Daily message delivery, Home screen widget integration, Send messages to others, Adds extraordinary to home screen

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Shimagurashi free?

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

### Is MessageBottle Widget free?

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

### Do Shimagurashi or MessageBottle Widget have ads?

Shimagurashi shows ads; MessageBottle Widget does not.

### Which is updated more often, Shimagurashi or MessageBottle Widget?

Shimagurashi ships an update every 5 weeks, and MessageBottle Widget every 4 months. Most recently, Shimagurashi was updated on November 6, 2026 and MessageBottle Widget on November 3, 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.*