# Faceplates vs retro message

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Faceplates at none against retro message's 3. Faceplates also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.6). retro message's advantage is ratings volume (11 vs 2) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.6). On price, review sentiment, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. retro message sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Faceplates asks for nothing beyond the download.

Faceplates holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: retro message has 11 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.

Faceplates ships an update every 4 months, retro message every 7 months. The most recent releases landed on September 28, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Faceplates | retro message |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/faceplates/id1280195301/reviews)** | [4.6 (11 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/retro-message/id1551950942/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 2 | **11** |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 4 months** | Every 7 months |
| Monetization | **Free** | Freemium |
| Size | 106 MB | 54 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | **13.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPod, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | +4 | 4+ |
| Developer | [Charles Lynch](https://appshunter.io/developer/1278607420) | [Scott Hawthorne R&D LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1551950945) |

## What reviewers say

### Faceplates

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/faceplates/id1280195301)

Adorn your iPhone and Apple Watch with over 40 high-quality, Native American-inspired designs. This free app offers a curated collection of vibrant wallpapers and watch faces, blending Indigenous artistry with modern technology. Easily save and sync your chosen designs to personalize your devices.

**Highlights:** Over 40 Native American-inspired designs, High-quality wallpapers for iPhone, Custom watch faces for Apple Watch, Save up to 25 Faceplates and 25 Wallplates, Easy syncing to devices, Step-by-step setup guidance

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### retro message

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/retro-message/id1551950942)

Create unique messages by overlaying custom text or vintage movie quotes onto black-and-white retro video clips. Add a soundtrack to personalize your creations before sending them.

**Highlights:** Select vintage retro clips, Superimpose custom messages, Choose from movie quotes, Add custom soundtracks, Send via iMessage, Create personalized messages

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| retro msg 1 month membership. | $1.99 | per month |
| 3 months retro msg membership | $5.99 | per 3 months |
| retro msg 1 year membership. | $19.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Faceplates free?

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

### Is retro message free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Faceplates or retro message?

Faceplates is rated higher. Faceplates averages 5.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while retro message averages 4.6 from 11 ratings.

### Do Faceplates or retro message have ads?

Neither Faceplates nor retro message shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Faceplates or retro message?

Faceplates ships an update every 4 months, and retro message every 7 months. Most recently, Faceplates was updated on September 28, 2026 and retro message on October 6, 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.*