# Smartbell vs Startblock

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: Startblock at 12.4 against Smartbell's 15.0. On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Smartbell ships an update every 6 weeks, Startblock every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 17, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Smartbell | Startblock |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 6 weeks** | Every 2 months |
| Size | 29 MB | 32 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **12.4** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Codext GmbH](https://appshunter.io/developer/1488755999) | [Startblock - Christliche Medien e.V.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1585144716) |

## What reviewers say

### Smartbell

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smartbell/id1521007837)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Startblock

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/startblock/id1585144354)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Smartbell free?

Smartbell is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Startblock free?

Startblock is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do Smartbell or Startblock have ads?

Neither Smartbell nor Startblock shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Smartbell or Startblock?

Smartbell ships an update every 6 weeks, and Startblock every 2 months. Most recently, Smartbell was updated on September 17, 2026 and Startblock on September 20, 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.*