Comparison

Dead man's switch app vs Dead Man Switch

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Dead man's switch app

This app securely stores encrypted "packages" in the cloud for delivery in case of your absence. It uses step count, email, or SMS to detect your presence, notifying recipients if you fail to confirm. Designed for peace of mind and secure legacy planning.

Highlights
  • Encrypted cloud storage for packages
  • Presence detection via steps, email, SMS
  • Automated recipient notification
  • Configurable detection schedules
  • End-to-end encryption
Read full description

DMS is a safety, security, and secrecy application used to delivery a encrypted "package" in the event of your absence. Who it's for: - ordinary person planning for the unexpected - military person or person in a state of war - person in poor health wishing to delivery an "emotional will" - adventure seeker undertaking extreme challenges - professional journalist working in dangerous environment - activist protestor exercising rights against injustice - crypto bro that self-custodies their digital fortune - solo dweller, traveller, or hermit living alone - pirate with a treasure chest full of gold How it works: - the app is used to create a "package" on your device that is then uploaded and stored securely in the cloud* - detection of your presence is determined by Steps, Email, or SMS† - in the event of your absence, your recipient(s) will be contacted by email and your "package" will be delivered What ifs: - if you enable Steps but don't step, you'll be prompted with a notification before you are sent an email - if you lose your phone or delete the app, you'll be sent an email to confirm your presence - if you are captured, you can configure your detection schedule beyond 4 weeks Delivery: - this app is really about the recipient, not the user - in the event of your absence, our compliance team will review and reach out to you before delivery occurs - when delivery occurs, your recipient(s) will be notified and given their "package" - recipient delivery is easy enough for your grandma to understand Other: - for detailed setup instructions, visit https://www.deadmanswitch.com/ca/en/user-manual - for our privacy policy, visit: https://deadmanswitch.com/ca/en/privacy-policy - for our legal agreement, visit https://deadmanswitch.com/ca/en/legal - to verify our code, visit https://www.github.com/deadmanswitch - founded in Toronto, Canada in 2020 --- * User content is protected with end-to-end encryption; however, certain operational metadata is necessary for storage, retrieval, and decryption. † Functionality requires internet connectivity and access to third-party networks/services. Availability is dependent on local network conditions and government policies; in some jurisdictions connectivity may be degraded, restricted, or blocked. You are solely responsible for obtaining data connectivity and complying with all applicable laws.

About

Dead Man Switch

Features
Read full description

Dead Man Switch (DMS) is your reliable personal safety companion and automated emergency dispatch system. Whether you are traveling solo, working in hazardous environments, living alone, or wanting digital peace of mind, DMS ensures that your trusted contacts receive vital messages and instructions if you ever fail to check in. KEY FEATURES: • 1-Tap Check-In: Confirm your safety effortlessly with our intuitive Check-In Orb before your timer expires. • Flexible Safety Intervals: Customize switch countdown timers (e.g., 12 hours, 24 hours, 7 days) to fit your daily routine or travel plans. • 24/7 Cloud Dispatch: Cloud Edge infrastructure monitors your schedule continuously. Even if your phone runs out of battery, loses connection, or is damaged, your emergency alerts will be dispatched reliably. • Trusted Emergency Contacts: Configure primary and secondary contacts with custom emergency notifications and attached notes. • Biometric & Zero-Trust Security: Protect your data and messages with Face ID / Touch ID and strict cloud Row-Level Security (RLS). Never leave your loved ones in the dark. Protect what matters most with Dead Man Switch. ---------------------------------------- SUBSCRIPTION & LEGAL INFORMATION: • Payment will be charged to your Apple ID account at confirmation of purchase. • Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current billing period. • Your account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period. • You can manage and cancel your subscriptions by going to your App Store Account Settings after purchase. • Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ • Terms of Service: https://dms-termsofservice.quyetnv.info.vn/ • Privacy Policy: https://dms-policy.quyetnv.info.vn/

Screenshots

Dead man's switch app2 screens
Dead Man Switch4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Dead Man Switch at Free against Dead man's switch app's $22.99. Dead Man Switch also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs every 2 months). On ads, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

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

Dead Man Switch is free to download; Dead man's switch app costs $22.99 up front. Dead man's switch app sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $22.99 per year and Dead Man Switch sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $4.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Dead man's switch app ships an update every 2 months, Dead Man Switch every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Dead man's switch app versus Dead Man Switch: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDead man's switch appDead Man Switch
Price$22.99Free — better
Rating3.0 (2 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationPaid—
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS15.115.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size51 MB44 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDeadmanswitch.com IncNam Nguyen

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Dead man's switch app

Subscriptions1
  • Deadmanswitch7 Days trial2 variants$22.991 Year
1 purchases

Dead Man Switch

Subscriptions1
  • Pro Annual Access$4.991 Year

Questions

Is Dead man's switch app free?
Dead man's switch app costs $22.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is Dead Man Switch free?
Dead Man Switch is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Dead man's switch app or Dead Man Switch have ads?
Neither Dead man's switch app nor Dead Man Switch shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Dead man's switch app or Dead Man Switch?
Dead man's switch app ships an update every 2 months, and Dead Man Switch every 4 days. Most recently, Dead man's switch app was updated on November 3, 2026 and Dead Man Switch on October 31, 2026.

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