# MessageBottle Widget vs Bonfire

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: MessageBottle Widget at none against Bonfire's 11. MessageBottle Widget also leads on ads (none vs shown). Bonfire's advantage is review sentiment (54% vs 20%) and update cadence (weekly vs every 4 months). On price, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Bonfire sells 11 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. MessageBottle Widget asks for nothing beyond the download.

MessageBottle Widget ships an update every 4 months, Bonfire weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 19, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | MessageBottle Widget | Bonfire |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | **[4.8 (6 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bonfire-anonymous-cozy-diary/id1536070416/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **6** |
| Positive reviews | 20.0% of reviews | **53.6% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 14 MB | 97 MB |
| Requires iOS | **14.0** | 14.1 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [YUTA MIYOSHI](https://appshunter.io/developer/878543402) | [Yuto Otani](https://appshunter.io/developer/1536070418) |

## What reviewers say

### MessageBottle Widget

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/messagebottle-widget/id1535000031)

Receive a daily message from someone directly on your iPhone's home screen. This widget allows you to add a touch of the unexpected to your daily routine by delivering a new message each day, and you can also send messages to others.

**Highlights:** Daily message delivery, Home screen widget integration, Send messages to others, Adds extraordinary to home screen

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### Bonfire

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bonfire-anonymous-cozy-diary/id1536070416)

This app offers a private space to journal your thoughts anonymously, accompanied by soothing campfire sounds and ambient visuals. It provides a calm environment for self-reflection, stress relief, and building a journaling habit without the pressures of social media.

**Highlights:** Anonymous and safe journaling, Empathy button for connection, Soothing campfire sounds, Customizable background themes, Daily missions and rewards, Optional premium features

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

**In-app purchases (11)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Bonfire Premium | $1.99 | per month |
| Bonfire Premium | $22.99 | per year |
| Support  Coffee | $1.49 | one-time |
| Premium plan | $4.99 | one-time |
| Support  Firewood | $4.99 | one-time |
| Premium plan | $7.99 | one-time |
| Support  Lantern | $9.99 | one-time |
| Premium plan | $11.99 | one-time |
| Support  Sleeping Bag | $19.99 | one-time |
| Support  Tent | $49.99 | one-time |
| Support  Rent Out the Campsite | $99.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is MessageBottle Widget free?

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

### Is Bonfire free?

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

### Do MessageBottle Widget or Bonfire have ads?

Bonfire shows ads; MessageBottle Widget does not.

### Which is updated more often, MessageBottle Widget or Bonfire?

MessageBottle Widget ships an update every 4 months, and Bonfire weekly. Most recently, MessageBottle Widget was updated on October 17, 2026 and Bonfire on October 19, 2026.

---

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