Comparison

Sunbeam vs Sunny Pal

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

Sunny Pal

This AI-powered app guides you to achieve your ideal tan. It analyzes your skin tone, local weather, and UV index to create personalized tanning routines and track your progress.

Highlights
  • AI-powered skin tone analysis
  • Personalized tanning routines
  • Real-time UV index and weather updates
  • Progress tracking and reminders
  • Home screen widgets
  • AI-calculated skin age insights
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Sunny Pal - UV Index & Appearance Tracker Sunny Pal helps you review local UV conditions, weather, SPF prompts, timers, and optional photo-based appearance estimates before spending time outdoors. Use Sunny Pal to check current UV levels, view weather conditions, set reminder windows, track visible shade changes, and keep your sun-related routine organized. Results vary, and Sunny Pal does not guarantee visible appearance changes or prevent sunburn. How It Works: Check UV & Weather: View local UV index, temperature, humidity, and forecast details. Set Reminders: Use SPF prompts, timer check-ins, and shade-break reminders. Optional Selfie: Estimate visible skin tone and appearance from a photo. Track Progress: Log visible shade changes and review your history over time. Home Screen Widgets: See UV, weather, and SPF prompts at a glance. Key Features: Real-time UV index and weather information UV-aware reminder windows SPF prompts and timer check-ins Home screen widgets for quick updates Photo-based appearance estimates Visible shade and session history tracking Informational UV guidance and app limitations Sunny Pal is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Sunny Pal does not diagnose, treat, or prevent sunburn, skin damage, or any medical condition. Consult a healthcare professional for medical advice. Use sun protection according to product labels and local conditions. A subscription is required to use Sunny Pal. Your subscription will be charged to your Apple account upon purchase and will automatically renew unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage your subscription anytime in your Apple Account Settings. Terms of Service: https://www.getsunnypal.com/terms Privacy Policy: https://www.getsunnypal.com/privacy

Screenshots

Sunbeam4 screens
Sunny Pal3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Sunbeam at 70% against Sunny Pal's 21%. Sunbeam also leads on monetization model (freemium vs subscription). Sunny Pal's advantage is rating (4.9 vs 4.7) and chart position (#79 vs unranked). On price, ratings volume, update cadence 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 Sunny Pal sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Sunny Pal holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1.7K and 1.5K respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 70% of Sunbeam's written reviews are positive against 21% of Sunny Pal's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 4 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
Sunbeam versus Sunny Pal: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSunbeamSunny Pal
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (1.7K ratings)4.9 (1.5K ratings) — better
Positive reviews70.1% of reviews — better20.7% of reviews
Number of ratings1.7K — better1.5K
Update frequencyEvery 4 weeksEvery 4 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemium — betterSubscription
Best chart rank#79 — better
DevicesiPhone, Apple WatchiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS18.015.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size113 MB50 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperElectric Acorn LtdWith Bytes

Customer experience

Sunbeam

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

Sunny Pal

All ratings1,454 ratings
Positive96.6%
Neutral2.2%
Negative1.2%
Written reviews29 reviews
Positive20.7%
Neutral10.3%
Negative69.0%

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

Sunny Pal

From 1.5K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Smooth and aesthetic app
  • 👍 Asks the right questions

Room to improve

  • 💰 Requires paid subscription to access full features
  • 💰 Expensive subscription cost ($14.99 AUD per week)
  • 💰 Can't use the app 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

Sunny Pal

Reported bugs

1 issue
  • No clear warning about the subscription requirement

Requested features

2 requests
  • Provide some free tips and guidance without subscription
  • Offer a more affordable subscription option

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Sunbeam

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

Sunny Pal

Subscriptions6
  • Sunny Pal Pro3 Days trial$4.997 Days
  • Sunny Pal Pro$4.997 Days
  • Sunny Pal Pro$9.997 Days
Show 3 more
  • Sunny Pal Pro$12.997 Days
  • Sunny Pal Pro$19.991 Year
  • Sunny Pal Pro$24.991 Year

Questions

Is Sunbeam free?
Sunbeam is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Sunny Pal free?
Sunny Pal is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Sunbeam or Sunny Pal?
Sunny Pal is rated higher. Sunbeam averages 4.7 out of 5 from 1.7K ratings, while Sunny Pal averages 4.9 from 1.5K ratings.
Do Sunbeam or Sunny Pal have ads?
Neither Sunbeam nor Sunny Pal shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Sunbeam or Sunny Pal?
Sunbeam ships an update every 4 weeks, and Sunny Pal every 4 weeks. Most recently, Sunbeam was updated on September 24, 2026 and Sunny Pal on September 22, 2026.

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