# AIMS Explorer vs AltoThought

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: AIMS Explorer at none against AltoThought's 4. AltoThought's advantage is update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 72 months). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. AltoThought sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. AIMS Explorer asks for nothing beyond the download.

AIMS Explorer ships an update every 72 months, AltoThought every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 27, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | AIMS Explorer | AltoThought |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | **[4.3 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/altothought/id1620703133/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **3** |
| Positive reviews | — | 33.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 72 months | **Every 6 weeks** |
| Monetization | — | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 78 MB | 15 MB |
| Requires iOS | **17.0** | 18.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Palo Alto Veterans Institute for Research](https://appshunter.io/developer/1292950620) | [Frank Solleveld](https://appshunter.io/developer/1255835676) |

## What reviewers say

### AIMS Explorer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aims-explorer/id1532841936)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### AltoThought

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/altothought/id1620703133)

This app helps you reframe negative thoughts and develop a healthier mindset. It guides you through identifying thoughts, exploring alternative perspectives, and tracking your emotional progress. It's a tool to enhance your cognitive processes and achieve a more balanced outlook.

**Highlights:** Identify and log negative thoughts, Explore alternative perspectives, Track emotional evolution, Enhance cognitive processes, Develop balanced thought patterns

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Small Tip | $0.99 | one-time |
| Coffee XL | $2.99 | one-time |
| Donation | $3.99 | one-time |
| Donation XL | $8.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is AIMS Explorer free?

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

### Is AltoThought free?

AltoThought is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do AIMS Explorer or AltoThought have ads?

Neither AIMS Explorer nor AltoThought shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, AIMS Explorer or AltoThought?

AIMS Explorer ships an update every 72 months, and AltoThought every 6 weeks. Most recently, AIMS Explorer was updated on October 25, 2026 and AltoThought on October 27, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*