Comparison

Sunbeam vs SPF

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

SPF

This app helps you achieve a faster and safer tan by tracking UV levels, providing personalized routines, and reminding you to reapply sunscreen. Monitor your progress and avoid burns with a structured approach to sun exposure.

Highlights
  • Real-time UV level checks
  • Customized tanning routines
  • Daily SPF and skincare plan
  • Sunscreen reapplication alerts
  • Tan progress tracking
  • Quick tan timer
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

SPF helps you understand UV conditions and plan your time in the sun with a personalized routine built around your skin type. WHAT YOU GET WITH YOUR SUBSCRIPTION - Real-time UV index — see current UV levels for your location - Personalized tanning routine — tailored to your skin type - Quick Tan timer — time your tanning sessions - Tan progress tracking — log your sessions A clear plan instead of guesswork. Built for people who want structure around their time in the sun. Download SPF and start building your routine. — — — SUBSCRIPTION SPF is a subscription-based app. An active auto-renewable subscription is required to access app features. SPF Premium is $5.99/week with a 3-day free trial. Pricing and subscription length are also shown in the app before purchase. - Payment is charged to your Apple ID at confirmation of purchase. - Subscriptions auto-renew unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. - Your account is charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. - Manage subscriptions and turn off auto-renewal in your Apple ID Account Settings. - Any unused portion of a free trial is forfeited upon purchase of a subscription. DATA & PRIVACY SPF processes facial and skin images on your device to estimate skin attributes (such as tone and skin type) used to personalize your tanning routine. No biometric identification data is collected. All image data is stored exclusively on your device and is deleted when you uninstall the app. HEALTH & SAFETY NOTICE SPF provides general guidance based on UV index and weather data. It is not a medical device and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. UV exposure carries inherent risks, including skin damage, premature aging, and skin cancer. Consult a qualified healthcare professional or dermatologist before making decisions about sun exposure, particularly if you have a history of skin conditions, are taking photosensitizing medications, or have other health concerns. Always follow guidance from medical professionals over recommendations in this app. WEATHER DATA SPF uses Apple Weather to provide UV index and weather information. Learn more about Apple WeatherKit at: https://weatherkit.apple.com/legal-attribution.html LINKS Terms of Use (EULA): https://forested-danger-c97.notion.site/SPF-Terms-and-Conditions-1d21673c1ce280598b03c03583b3bf14 Privacy Policy: https://forested-danger-c97.notion.site/SPF-Privacy-Policy-1d21673c1ce2807fa560e63f8cb21191

Screenshots

Sunbeam4 screens
SPF4 screens

Verdict

The call

Sunbeam and SPF both sit at 4.7 stars, but that hides the real split: 70% of Sunbeam's written reviews are positive against 32% of SPF's. SPF's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 4 weeks) and chart position (#56 vs unranked). On price, rating, ratings volume and ads 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 SPF sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 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 SPF. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1.7K and 5K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 70% of Sunbeam's written reviews are positive against 32% of SPF's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Sunbeam ships an update every 4 weeks, SPF weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
Sunbeam versus SPF: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSunbeamSPF
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (1.7K ratings) — better4.6 (5K ratings)
Positive reviews70.1% of reviews — better31.8% of reviews
Number of ratings1.7K5K — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 weeksWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank—#56 — better
DevicesiPhone, Apple Watch — betteriPhone
Requires iOS18.016.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size113 MB212 MB
Age rating4+9+
DeveloperElectric Acorn LtdBluPalms

Customer experience

Sunbeam

All ratings1,689 ratings
Positive92.9%
Neutral3.1%
Negative4.0%
Written reviews107 reviews
Positive70.1%
Neutral9.3%
Negative20.6%

SPF

All ratings4,998 ratings
Positive88.9%
Neutral5.2%
Negative5.9%
Written reviews157 reviews
Positive31.8%
Neutral9.6%
Negative58.6%

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

SPF

From 5K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Easy to use
  • 👍 Helpful tanning routine
  • 🚀 Efficient tanning process
  • 💡 Free version available
  • 👍 Tracks tanning progress

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional crashes or glitches

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

SPF

Reported bugs

1 issue
  • Compatibility issues with older devices

Requested features

2 requests
  • Advanced tanning analytics
  • Customizable tanning plans

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Sunbeam

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

SPF

Subscriptions7
  • SPF: Weekly Offer Plan$0.997 Days
  • Weekly Offer Plan$2.997 Days
  • Weekly Plan$3.997 Days
Show 4 more
  • Weekly Plan3 Days trial$5.997 Days
  • weekly5.99$5.997 Days
  • SPF: Yearly Offer Plan$29.991 Year
  • SPF: Yearly Offer Plan3 Days trial$47.001 Year

Questions

Is Sunbeam free?
Sunbeam is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is SPF free?
SPF is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Sunbeam or SPF?
Sunbeam is rated higher. Sunbeam averages 4.7 out of 5 from 1.7K ratings, while SPF averages 4.6 from 5K ratings.
Do Sunbeam or SPF have ads?
Neither Sunbeam nor SPF shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Sunbeam or SPF?
Sunbeam ships an update every 4 weeks, and SPF weekly. Most recently, Sunbeam was updated on September 24, 2026 and SPF on September 23, 2026.

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