Comparison

Lock Screen Widgets Live vs BitsReader

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

Head to head
About

Lock Screen Widgets Live

Customize your device's lock screen with quick access to your favorite apps, calendar events, fitness tracking, and countdowns. Create personalized launchers and docks for seamless interaction without unlocking your phone.

Highlights
  • Customizable app launchers and docks
  • Live Activity widgets with Dynamic Island support
  • Calendar and event countdown widgets
  • Pedometer for daily step tracking
  • System controls for iOS 18+
  • Multiple design presets and fine-tuning options
Features
Read full description

Keep favorite apps and everyday information within reach. Build a Lock Screen that works for you with app shortcuts, a calendar, a pedometer and an event countdown. App Launcher — your favorites together • Collect favorite apps and tap to open them. • Touch and hold icons to reorder them, or remove apps you no longer need. • Browse the catalog or search the App Store. Set up personal launchers with a named Apple Shortcut or a supported app URL. App Dock — up to 10 apps on your Lock Screen • Show app shortcuts as a Live Activity, with Dynamic Island access on supported iPhones. • Show or hide app names, choose grayscale icons and adjust padding. • Choose system, translucent or solid backgrounds and adjust background opacity. • Reorder or remove apps in either the Launcher or App Dock preview. Tap Update App Dock to apply changes to your running Dock. • Save different app lists, orders and appearances as Dock profiles. Create, duplicate, rename and switch profiles for different parts of your day. • Apply Standard, Minimal, Monochrome or Spacious design presets, then fine-tune the appearance. • Adjust Dock styles while the preview stays visible at the top. Scroll through the options and apply your changes with the button at the bottom. System controls — quicker access on iOS 18 or later • Add controls to open App Dock settings, start or update your selected Dock, or apply a saved profile. • Use them in Control Center, supported Lock Screen controls or the Action button on supported iPhones. • Controls open this app to apply changes; unlocking may be required. Lock Screen launcher widgets • Add circular or rectangular app shortcuts. • On iOS 17 or later, choose a default app from inside the app, or select a different app for each widget in the Lock Screen editor. • On iOS 16, use the existing individual app shortcut widgets. Calendar — today and the weeks around it • See today's weekday and date in a circular widget. • Choose 3 or 4 rows for the rectangular calendar. • Pick the row containing today to show more of the past or upcoming weeks. • Settings save automatically, with a preview as you make changes. Pedometer — follow your daily movement • Check steps, progress toward your goal and distance. • Set a daily step goal and choose kilometers or miles. • Refresh in the app and check the last update time. On iOS 17 or later, you can also tap the pedometer widget to refresh. Countdown — keep important dates in sight • Save an event name and date, then see the days remaining or elapsed in a widget. • Use it for anniversaries, trips or other dates you want to remember. Illustrated help, inside the app Find visual instructions for adding widgets and using each feature. Search the guides even offline. The app supports 12 languages. Good to know • Steps require Motion & Fitness permission. iOS controls when widgets refresh automatically. • App Store search does not identify installed apps. Launch support varies by app, and opening may pass through this app or Shortcuts. • A Dock session can stay active for up to 8 hours and remain on the Lock Screen for up to 4 more hours. It may end sooner. Optional renewal works while this app is open; start the Dock again if it ends.

About

BitsReader

Features
Read full description

BitsReader is the easiest way to learn Kotlin Multiplatform in your everyday life. Enjoy clear, practical and friendly articles, even when you are offline. Follow step by step guides, explore real examples and discover techniques that help you write better cross platform code. The app includes full offline reading. New articles arrive regularly, always explained in an accessible and relaxed way with plenty of practical experience behind them. If you want to go further, you can unlock exclusive content with a subscription. This includes advanced material, deep dive guides, project insights and practical tips that are not available on public platforms. Highlights • Offline reading anywhere • Always updated content about Kotlin Multiplatform • Clear and easy to follow articles • Save favorites for quick access • Exclusive subscriber only content • A reading experience designed for developers Learn, grow and discover new ways to think about mobile architecture with the world of KMP Bits. Standard End-User License Agreement (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Lock Screen Widgets Live4 screens
BitsReader4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Lock Screen Widgets Live at none against BitsReader's shown. Lock Screen Widgets Live also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 2 months). On price, 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

Both are free to download. Lock Screen Widgets Live sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and BitsReader sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Lock Screen Widgets Live ships an update every 2 weeks, BitsReader every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Lock Screen Widgets Live versus BitsReader: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLock Screen Widgets LiveBitsReader
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (147 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews84.8% of reviews—
Number of ratings147 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.1 — better16.6
Further details — not scored
Size86 MB182 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMonocraftJoel Caetano

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Lock Screen Widgets Live

Subscriptions1
  • Monthly7 Days trial$1.991 Month
One-time1
  • Lifetime Premium$9.99
2 purchases

BitsReader

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Pro$4.991 Month
  • Yearly Pro$39.991 Year

Questions

Is Lock Screen Widgets Live free?
Lock Screen Widgets Live is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is BitsReader free?
BitsReader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Lock Screen Widgets Live or BitsReader have ads?
BitsReader shows ads; Lock Screen Widgets Live does not.
Which is updated more often, Lock Screen Widgets Live or BitsReader?
Lock Screen Widgets Live ships an update every 2 weeks, and BitsReader every 2 months. Most recently, Lock Screen Widgets Live was updated on November 3, 2026 and BitsReader on October 28, 2026.

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