Comparison

Just Checking In. vs Just Chicken In

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

Just Chicken In

Features
Read full description

Just Chicken In is a simple safety check-in system designed to make sure someone notices if you don't. Set a daily check-in time and choose trusted contacts. If you miss a check-in, your contacts are automatically notified so they can follow up. Key features: • Daily check-ins with reminders, once or twice a day • Emergency contact alerts if a check-in is missed, by text and email • Optional emergency instructions for contacts • Family and friends can follow your check-ins in the app and send an emoji reply • Groups: check in together with family, neighbors or a club • Optional location and a short note with each check-in • Big buttons, large text, and a guardian lock for loved ones • English and Spanish • Organizations can check in on their members with a staff app • Privacy-focused design with minimal personal data storage • Adjustable alert timing and reminders You stay in control of your information. Just Chicken In does not store unnecessary personal data and is designed to prioritize user privacy. Subscriptions: Optional support subscriptions are available to help sustain the platform. All core safety features remain accessible. Just Chicken In is not a replacement for emergency services. If you are in immediate danger, contact local emergency services. Terms of Use: https://justchickenin.org/terms/ Privacy Policy: https://justchickenin.org/privacy/ Terms of Use and Privacy Policy links are in the App Description and also accessible inside the app on the Settings screen and during onboarding.

Screenshots

Just Checking In.4 screens
Just Chicken In4 screens

Verdict

The call

Just Checking In. and Just Chicken In are too close to call on the numbers: across 6 compared parameters — price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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 and Just Chicken In sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Just Checking In. ships an update weekly, Just Chicken In every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on November 11, 2026 and November 9, 2026 respectively.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
Just Checking In. versus Just Chicken In: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterJust Checking In.Just Chicken In
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.1 (87 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews75.9% of reviews—
Number of ratings87 — better—
Update frequencyWeeklyEvery 3 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS15.115.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size53 MB52 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHeraclius LLCJust Chicken In

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

Just Chicken In

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
6 purchases

Just Chicken In

Subscriptions6
  • Personal Support$2.991 Month
  • Extended Support$5.991 Month
  • Community Sponsor$11.991 Month
Show 3 more
  • Personal Support (Annual)$29.991 Year
  • Extended Support (Annual)$59.991 Year
  • Community Sponsor (Annual)$119.991 Year

Questions

Is Just Checking In. free?
Just Checking In. is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Just Chicken In free?
Just Chicken In is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Just Checking In. or Just Chicken In have ads?
Neither Just Checking In. nor Just Chicken In shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Just Checking In. or Just Chicken In?
Just Checking In. ships an update weekly, and Just Chicken In every 3 days. Most recently, Just Checking In. was updated on November 11, 2026 and Just Chicken In on November 9, 2026.

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