Comparison

Sunbeam vs UV Index

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Sunbeam

This app provides real-time UV Index forecasts and personalized sun exposure tracking. It helps users avoid sunburn, monitor time spent in daylight, and estimate Vitamin D levels. Features include widgets, Apple Watch integration, and Apple Health syncing.

Highlights
  • Worldwide UV Index forecasts
  • Lock Screen and Home Screen widgets
  • Apple Watch app with complications
  • Apple Health integration
  • Personalized sunburn risk tracking
  • Live Activities for Lock Screen
  • Extended 10-day UV forecasts
Features
Read full description

Stay safe in the sun with accurate UV forecasts, personalized exposure insights, and smart tools for Time in Daylight and Vitamin D across iPhone and Apple Watch. Trusted by thousands worldwide, Sunbeam helps you know when UV levels are high, reduce your risk of sunburn, and make more confident decisions about time outdoors. Check the UV Index in seconds, track your sun exposure, and better understand how sunlight fits into your health and daily routine. Why people choose Sunbeam: - Know when to protect your skin: See accurate UV forecasts for your current location or anywhere you travel. - Reduce your risk of sunburn: Understand when UV levels are high and track your personalized sunburn risk over time. - Understand your sun exposure: Monitor Time in Daylight, Vitamin D, and exposure history with simple, useful insights. - Plan outdoor time more easily: View hourly UV forecasts for the next 10 days across your favorite locations around the world. - Beautiful widgets: Check UV forecasts, Vitamin D, and Time in Daylight right on your Home Screen or Lock Screen. - Live Activities: Track sun exposure sessions in real time from your Lock Screen and Dynamic Island. - Full Apple Watch support: Use the Apple Watch app and complications to stay informed in the sun wherever you are. - Siri and Shortcuts support: Check the UV, start an exposure session, view your sun exposure, and more with best-in-class iOS integrations. - Make your health data more useful: Sync Time in Daylight and Vitamin D with Apple Health. - Choose a privacy-first app: Your data stays yours. Sunbeam never sells your data or uses it for targeted ads. Whether you want to protect your skin, spend more time outdoors with confidence, or build a better understanding of your daily sunlight exposure, Sunbeam helps you make smarter decisions in the sun. Certain features require a Sunbeam Pro subscription. ========================= If you purchase a Sunbeam Pro subscription, payment will be charged to your Apple ID Account. You will be automatically charged for renewal unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current subscription period. You can turn off auto-renew at any time by going to your Account Settings on the App Store after purchase. All purchases are final and refunds will not be provided for any unused portion of the term. Privacy Policy: https://richardj.org/sunbeam/privacy-policy/ Terms and Conditions: https://richardj.org/sunbeam/terms-and-conditions/ =========================

About

UV Index

Track real-time UV levels and plan your sun exposure safely. Get personalized tips, check forecasts, and estimate your safe sun time. Stay informed and protected from harmful UV rays.

Highlights
  • Real-time UV Index
  • 10-Day UV Forecast
  • Global UV Search
  • Sunburn Timer
  • Skin Type Recommendations
  • Widgets
Features
Read full description

Sun safety starts with knowing the UV index. Whether you’re heading to the beach, going for a run, or just stepping outside, this app helps you track real-time UV levels and plan your sun exposure wisely. Get personalized skin protection tips, check forecasts for the next 10 days, and even estimate how long you can stay in the sun before burning. Key Features: Real-time UV Index – Instantly see the UV level at your location. 10-Day UV Forecast – Plan ahead with extended UV predictions. Global UV Search – Check the UV index anywhere in the world. Widgets – Get UV updates right on your Home Screen. Sunburn Timer – Know how long you can stay in the sun. Skin Type Recommendations – Personalized sun protection advice. Easy & Intuitive Design – Quick access to essential sun safety info. Stay informed, stay protected! Remember to seek a doctor’s advice before making any medical decisions. Terms of Service: https://github.com/alcaeusdevelopment/uv-index-policies/blob/main/TermsOfService.md Privacy policy: https://github.com/alcaeusdevelopment/uv-index-policies/blob/main/PrivacyPolicy.md

Screenshots

Sunbeam4 screens
UV Index4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Sunbeam at none against UV Index's shown. UV Index's advantage is update cadence (every 5 days vs every 4 weeks) and iOS requirement (17.0 vs 26.0). On price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Sunbeam sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and UV Index sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Sunbeam against 4.6 for UV Index. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1.7K and 1.1K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 70% of Sunbeam's written reviews are positive against 76% of UV Index's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Sunbeam ships an update every 4 weeks, UV Index every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on November 11, 2026 and November 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Sunbeam versus UV Index: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSunbeamUV Index
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (1.7K ratings) — better4.6 (1.1K ratings)
Positive reviews69.7% of reviews75.9% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1.7K — better1.1K
Update frequencyEvery 4 weeksEvery 5 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS26.017.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size113 MB87 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperElectric Acorn LtdAlcaeus Development AB

Customer experience

Sunbeam

All ratings1,708 ratings
Positive92.9%
Neutral3.0%
Negative4.0%
Written reviews109 reviews
Positive69.7%
Neutral9.2%
Negative21.1%

UV Index

All ratings1,079 ratings
Positive89.5%
Neutral6.4%
Negative4.1%
Written reviews87 reviews
Positive75.9%
Neutral12.6%
Negative11.5%

User reviews

Sunbeam

From 1.7K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Accurate UV tracking
  • 👍 Helpful for planning sun exposure
  • 🌞 Useful for tanning and vitamin D generation
  • 🔒 Respects user privacy
  • 📊 Provides detailed hourly and daily UV forecasts

Room to improve

  • 💰 Many features locked behind paywall
  • 🐛 Occasional bugs and connectivity issues
  • 📍 Difficulty setting custom location
  • 🔋 High battery consumption for some users

UV Index

From 1.1K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Reliable for tanning
  • 📊 Tracks weather and UV exposure
  • 💡 Personalized tanning tips
  • 🔍 Accurate UV index

Room to improve

  • 💰 Many features require paid subscription
  • 🔒 Limited access to full functionality without paying

Bugs and requests

Sunbeam

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Widget not working for some users
  • UV data not updating correctly in certain locations
  • Vitamin D tab not functioning as expected

Requested features

4 requests
  • Integration with Apple Health for better vitamin D tracking
  • Customizable sun exposure timers and alarms
  • Historical data and exposure tracking
  • More detailed skin type and sunscreen recommendations

UV Index

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • App sometimes doesn't work as expected
  • Buttons and features not always responsive

Requested features

3 requests
  • Add hourly UV exposure indicators
  • Include more features in free version
  • Improve widget functionality

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Sunbeam

Subscriptions2
  • Sunbeam Pro Monthly$4.991 Month
  • Sunbeam Pro Annual7 Days trial$29.991 Year
10 purchases

UV Index

Subscriptions10
  • UV Index Pro Weekly$1.997 Days
  • UV Index Pro Monthly3 Days trial$1.991 Month
  • SunWise Pro - Weekly7 Days trial$3.997 Days
Show 7 more
  • SunWise Pro - Weekly$3.997 Days
  • UV Index Pro Weekly3 Days trial$3.997 Days
  • SunWise Pro - Yearly7 Days trial$19.991 Year
  • SunWise Pro - Yearly7 Days trial$29.991 Year
  • UV Index Pro Yearly3 Days trial$29.991 Year
  • UV Index Pro Yearly7 Days trial$29.991 Year
  • UV Index Pro Yearly7 Days trial$39.991 Year

Questions

Is Sunbeam free?
Sunbeam is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is UV Index free?
UV Index is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Sunbeam or UV Index?
Sunbeam is rated higher. Sunbeam averages 4.7 out of 5 from 1.7K ratings, while UV Index averages 4.6 from 1.1K ratings.
Do Sunbeam or UV Index have ads?
UV Index shows ads; Sunbeam does not.
Which is updated more often, Sunbeam or UV Index?
Sunbeam ships an update every 4 weeks, and UV Index every 5 days. Most recently, Sunbeam was updated on November 11, 2026 and UV Index on November 7, 2026.

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