Comparison

Just Checking In. vs Shared Heartbeat

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

Head to head
About

Just Checking In.

This app facilitates private daily emotional check-ins among trusted circles. It helps users share their feelings, stay connected, and receive notifications if someone stops checking in, promoting peace of mind and genuine connection.

Highlights
  • Daily emotional check-ins
  • Private by default sharing
  • Trusted circle creation
  • Mood tracker and history
  • Customizable reminders
  • Missed check-in alerts
  • Private in-app chat
Features
Read full description

Know how the people you love are really doing. Just Checking In is a private daily emotional check-in app that helps you, your family, friends, and trusted circle share how you feel, stay connected, and know when it may be time to reach out. With one tap, let the people you choose know you’re okay without another phone call or crowded text thread. If someone suddenly stops checking in, their circle can be notified. Premium can also send a missed check-in SMS to a chosen alert contact, even if that person does not have the app. No pressure. No performance. Just an honest emotional check-in and a simple way to show you care. HOW IT WORKS 1. Choose how you’re feeling. 2. Share your check-in with your private circle. 3. Build a consistent emotional wellness habit. 4. If a scheduled check-in is missed, the right people can be notified. FEATURES DAILY EMOTIONAL CHECK-INS Share your emotional status in one tap. PRIVATE BY DEFAULT Only the people you choose can see your check-ins. TRUSTED CIRCLE Create a private group of family members, friends, and supporters. MOOD TRACKER AND HISTORY Review your check-ins over time, notice emotional patterns, and build greater self-awareness. CUSTOM REMINDERS Choose a daily check-in time that fits your routine. Premium supports multiple check-in times. MISSED CHECK-IN ALERTS Your circle can be notified when a scheduled check-in is missed. Premium can also alert a chosen contact by SMS, even if they do not use the app. PRIVATE CHAT Stay connected with your circle inside the app without starting another group text. VACATION MODE Pause scheduled check-ins while traveling or off the grid to avoid unnecessary alerts. FULL CONTROL Manage your circle, check-ins, and account. Delete your account anytime. CHOOSE YOUR PLAN FREE • Multiple daily check-in times (scheduled or surprise) • Add All Friends and Family • 30-day check-in history • 30-day chat history • Core in-app notifications PREMIUM • Stored check-in history • Stored chat history • Annual Check-In Pattern • Missed check-in SMS alerts WHO IT’S FOR Just Checking In is designed for people living alone, families separated by distance, aging parents and the people who care about them, students away from home, veterans, close friends, and anyone building a daily emotional wellness or safety check-in routine. It is also for the friend group that promised to check on one another more often and wants an easy way to follow through. Just Checking In supports real human connection, emotional awareness, and peace of mind. It is not therapy, medical care, an emergency service, a safety guarantee, or a crisis line. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger or crisis, contact local emergency services or an appropriate crisis resource. Because the people who care about you shouldn’t have to wonder. Download Just Checking In and start your first emotional check-in today. SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION Premium is offered as an auto-renewing annual subscription. Pricing varies by location and is shown before purchase. Your subscription renews automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage or cancel anytime through your App Store. Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy [support@justcheckingin.co]

About

Shared Heartbeat

Features
Read full description

Feel closer, no matter the distance. Heartbeat lets you and your partner share a moment with a simple touch. When you're both holding your screens at the same time, you'll feel your hearts sync — a gentle reminder that you're thinking of each other. HOW IT WORKS • Touch your screen when you miss them • If they're touching too, your hearts connect • Send flowers when words aren't enough • Earn hearts for every moment you share Perfect for long-distance couples, busy schedules, or anyone who wants a simple way to say "I'm thinking of you." No messages. No pressure. Just presence.

Screenshots

Just Checking In.4 screens
Shared Heartbeat4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Shared Heartbeat at none against Just Checking In.'s 2. Just Checking In.'s advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 2 months) and iOS requirement (15.1 vs 17.2). On price, ads 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. Just Checking In. sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Shared Heartbeat asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Just Checking In. ships an update weekly, Shared Heartbeat every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 7, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Just Checking In. versus Shared Heartbeat: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterJust Checking In.Shared Heartbeat
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.1 (87 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews75.9% of reviews—
Number of ratings87 — better—
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.1 — better17.2
Further details — not scored
Size53 MB13 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHeraclius LLCJUAN DIEGO ALDAMA

Bugs and requests

Just Checking In.

Reported bugs

11 issues
  • App freezes during onboarding/tour
  • Cannot scroll through setup screens
  • Keyboard covers input fields during registration
  • Inconsistent reminder notifications
  • False alerts about missed check-ins
Show 6 more
  • Check-in data not syncing to circle members
  • Random data deletion
  • App crashes when checking in
  • Emergency contact feature not working properly
  • Subscription pricing confusion
  • UI freezing and locking up

Requested features

16 requests
  • Dark mode option
  • Mental health articles and educational content
  • Mood trend graphs and analytics
  • Direct messaging between circle members
  • Suggested mood descriptors/prompts
Show 11 more
  • Self-care activity suggestions
  • Motivational quotes based on mood
  • Task/checklist functionality
  • Meditation and breathing exercise reminders
  • Community forums for peer support
  • Contact import from phone
  • Multiple fixed check-in times per day
  • Adjustable alert windows (not just 24 hours)
  • Activity tracking correlated with mood
  • Better contact discovery within app
  • Engagement features between circle members

Shared Heartbeat

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Just Checking In.

Subscriptions2
  • JCI Premium Account$4.991 Month
  • Advocate$42.001 Year
None

Shared Heartbeat

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Just Checking In. free?
Just Checking In. is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Shared Heartbeat free?
Shared Heartbeat is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Just Checking In. or Shared Heartbeat have ads?
Neither Just Checking In. nor Shared Heartbeat shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Just Checking In. or Shared Heartbeat?
Just Checking In. ships an update weekly, and Shared Heartbeat every 2 months. Most recently, Just Checking In. was updated on November 7, 2026 and Shared Heartbeat on October 31, 2026.

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