# Sunbeam vs SunkissTimer

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.

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.

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.

Sunbeam ships an update every 4 weeks, SunkissTimer every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on October 22, 2026 and October 23, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Sunbeam | SunkissTimer |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (1.7K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sunbeam-uv-index-tracker/id1448601833/reviews)** | [4.3 (75 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sunkisstimerai-taning-routine/id6739029318/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **1.7K** | 75 |
| Positive reviews | **70.4% of reviews** | 51.5% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 4 weeks | **Every 10 days** |
| Monetization | Freemium | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 113 MB | 27 MB |
| Requires iOS | 26.0 | **17.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, Apple Watch** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Electric Acorn Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1890746620) | [XIANG GANG HARMONY LIMITED](https://appshunter.io/developer/1777199672) |

## What reviewers say

### Sunbeam

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sunbeam-uv-index-tracker/id1448601833)

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:** Apple Watch app

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Sunbeam Pro Monthly | $4.99 | per month |
| Sunbeam Pro Annual | $29.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

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

**Requested features**

- 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

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sunkisstimerai-taning-routine/id6739029318)

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:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Sunkiss Plus | $5.99 | per 7 days |
| Year PRO | $14.99 | per year |
| year plan | $29.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

- 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

**Requested features**

- Allow free access to routines
- Mention subscription costs in description
- Improve camera functionality
- Fix scrolling issue for 'ok' button
- Add Celsius/Fahrenheit option


## Frequently asked 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 23, 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.*