# PatientsLikeMe vs SELF by LFA

The clearest difference is review sentiment: SELF by LFA at 50% against PatientsLikeMe's 0%. SELF by LFA also leads on monetization model (free vs ad-supported). PatientsLikeMe's advantage is rating (4.2 vs 3.0) and ratings volume (18 vs 5). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

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

PatientsLikeMe holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 3.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 18 and 5 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 0% of PatientsLikeMe's written reviews are positive against 50% of SELF by LFA's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 19, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | PatientsLikeMe | SELF by LFA |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.2 (18 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/patientslikeme/id1237832232/reviews)** | [3.0 (5 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/self-by-lfa/id1670674503/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **18** | 5 |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | **50.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Ad-supported | **Free** |
| Size | 56 MB | 29 MB |
| Requires iOS | **14.0** | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [PatientsLikeMe](https://appshunter.io/developer/922971211) | [Pro-Change Behavior Systems, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1142652637) |

## What reviewers say

### PatientsLikeMe

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/patientslikeme/id1237832232)

Connect with others living with chronic conditions for peer support and shared knowledge. Discover curated solutions, gain health insights from lived experiences, and receive motivational reminders to manage your health journey effectively.

**Highlights:** Peer support network, Shared health knowledge, Curated solutions, Motivational reminders, Health insights from lived experiences, Connect with peers 24/7

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### SELF by LFA

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/self-by-lfa/id1670674503)

This app helps individuals manage lupus symptoms, stress, and medications. It offers tools, trackers, and information to improve energy and mood, and connect with a supportive community. Get customized tips to take control of your health journey.

**Highlights:** Symptom and medication tracking, Stress management tools, Energy and mood pattern discovery, Customized self-management skills, Community connection and Q&A, Personalized tips via text

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is PatientsLikeMe free?

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

### Is SELF by LFA free?

SELF by LFA is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, PatientsLikeMe or SELF by LFA?

PatientsLikeMe is rated higher. PatientsLikeMe averages 4.2 out of 5 from 18 ratings, while SELF by LFA averages 3.0 from 5 ratings.

### Do PatientsLikeMe or SELF by LFA have ads?

Neither PatientsLikeMe nor SELF by LFA shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, PatientsLikeMe or SELF by LFA?

PatientsLikeMe ships an update every 2 months, and SELF by LFA every 2 months. Most recently, PatientsLikeMe was updated on October 7, 2026 and SELF by LFA on October 19, 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.*
