# Always On Display vs ARKA Torch

The clearest difference is price: ARKA Torch at Free against Always On Display's $2.99. ARKA Torch also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs every 4 months) and iOS requirement (16.0 vs 18.6). Always On Display's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ads (none vs shown). On device support there is nothing between them.

ARKA Torch is free to download; Always On Display costs $2.99 up front. ARKA Torch sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Always On Display asks for nothing beyond the download.

Always On Display ships an update every 4 months, ARKA Torch every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 27, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Always On Display | ARKA Torch |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $2.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | **[1.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/always-on-display/id1554659170/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **2** | — |
| Positive reviews | 33.3% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Every 4 days** |
| Monetization | Paid | — |
| Size | 19 MB | 7 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.6 | **16.0** |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPad** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Jim Kandias](https://appshunter.io/developer/398630199) | [ARKA Systems LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1873596855) |

## What reviewers say

### Always On Display

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/always-on-display/id1554659170)

Customize your device's lock screen with a variety of clock styles, including digital and analog options. Adjust colors, sizes, and add a second time zone for a personalized display. Optimize for OLED screens to minimize battery impact.

**Highlights:** Digital and analog clock display, Customizable clock size and colors, Second time zone support, Battery indicator ring, Screen dimming for bedside use, OLED optimization

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### ARKA Torch

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/arka-torch/id6759792818)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| ARKA Torch Pro | $1.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Always On Display free?

Always On Display costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is ARKA Torch free?

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

### Do Always On Display or ARKA Torch have ads?

ARKA Torch shows ads; Always On Display does not.

### Which is updated more often, Always On Display or ARKA Torch?

Always On Display ships an update every 4 months, and ARKA Torch every 4 days. Most recently, Always On Display was updated on October 27, 2026 and ARKA Torch on October 25, 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.*