Comparison

Sunbeam vs SunkissTimer

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

SunkissTimer

This app helps you safely enjoy sun exposure with personalized plans and real-time UV data. It analyzes your skin type to provide tailored recommendations and uses a timer to prevent overexposure, promoting healthy Vitamin D levels and a radiant glow.

Highlights
  • Personalized sun exposure plans
  • Real-time UV and temperature data
  • Intuitive sun exposure timer
  • Skin type analysis
  • Vitamin D level tracking
Features
Read full description

SunKiss Timer, the ultimate app for smart sun exposure! Designed for anyone who loves the sun but values safety, SunKiss Timer empowers you to enjoy the outdoors while caring for your skin. Powered by Apple WeatherKit for accurate and reliable UV and temperature data. Personalized Sun Plans: Take a snap then will analyze your skin type and exposure level for tailored recommendations. Real-Time Weather Data: Stay informed with precise UV and temperature updates powered by Apple WeatherKit. Countdown to Radiance: Track your sun exposure with an intuitive timer to avoid overexposure. Health Meets Glow: Achieve healthy Vitamin D levels and a radiant glow without risk. Whether you're sunbathing or just stepping out, SunKiss Timer keeps you safe while helping you shine. Perfect for those who want a touch of the sun, without the risk. Privacy policy:https://sunkiss-timer.web.app/privacypolicysunkiss.html Term of use:https://sunkiss-timer.web.app/TermsofUsesunkiss.html check the weather detail in: https://weatherkit.apple.com/legal-attribution.html

Screenshots

Sunbeam4 screens
SunkissTimer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Sunbeam at none against SunkissTimer's shown. Sunbeam also leads on rating (4.7 vs 4.3) and review sentiment (70% vs 52%). SunkissTimer's advantage is update cadence (every 10 days vs every 4 weeks) and iOS requirement (17.0 vs 26.0). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support 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 SunkissTimer sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Sunbeam holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Sunbeam has 1.7K ratings behind it against 75, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 70% of Sunbeam's written reviews are positive against 52% of SunkissTimer's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Sunbeam ships an update every 4 weeks, SunkissTimer every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on October 22, 2026 and October 18, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Sunbeam versus SunkissTimer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSunbeamSunkissTimer
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (1.7K ratings) — better4.3 (75 ratings)
Positive reviews70.4% of reviews — better51.5% of reviews
Number of ratings1.7K — better75
Update frequencyEvery 4 weeksEvery 10 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, Apple Watch — betteriPhone
Requires iOS26.017.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size113 MB27 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperElectric Acorn LtdXIANG GANG HARMONY LIMITED

Customer experience

Sunbeam

All ratings1,706 ratings
Positive92.9%
Neutral3.0%
Negative4.0%
Written reviews108 reviews
Positive70.4%
Neutral9.3%
Negative20.4%

SunkissTimer

All ratings75 ratings
Positive80.0%
Neutral6.7%
Negative13.3%
Written reviews33 reviews
Positive51.5%
Neutral18.2%
Negative30.3%

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

SunkissTimer

From 75 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 😍 Amazing app
  • ☀️ Great for tanning
  • 👍 Helps track tan
  • 😊 Safe tanning advice
  • 💡 Calculates sun time

Room to improve

  • 💸 Pay to use features
  • 😠 Too many ads
  • 💰 Expensive subscription
  • 🤔 Unclear pricing
  • 🚫 Can't see routine without pay

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

SunkissTimer

Reported bugs

8 issues
  • Camera not ready error
  • App crashes when starting goals
  • App crashes when adding location
  • App won't load
  • Kicks user off after skin type selection
Show 3 more
  • Cannot scroll to 'ok' button
  • Ads prevent calculation
  • App won't let user scroll to press ok

Requested features

8 requests
  • Allow free access to routines
  • Mention subscription costs in description
  • Improve camera functionality
  • Fix scrolling issue for 'ok' button
  • Add Celsius/Fahrenheit option
Show 3 more
  • Enable photo-based routine calculation for free users
  • Remove ads from free version
  • Allow users to decline upgrade offers without exiting

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Sunbeam

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

SunkissTimer

Subscriptions3
  • Sunkiss Plus3 Days trial$5.997 Days
  • Year PRO$14.991 Year
  • year plan$29.991 Year

Questions

Is Sunbeam free?
Sunbeam is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is SunkissTimer free?
SunkissTimer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Sunbeam or SunkissTimer?
Sunbeam is rated higher. Sunbeam averages 4.7 out of 5 from 1.7K ratings, while SunkissTimer averages 4.3 from 75 ratings.
Do Sunbeam or SunkissTimer have ads?
SunkissTimer shows ads; Sunbeam does not.
Which is updated more often, Sunbeam or SunkissTimer?
Sunbeam ships an update every 4 weeks, and SunkissTimer every 10 days. Most recently, Sunbeam was updated on October 22, 2026 and SunkissTimer on October 18, 2026.

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