# Banner vs Thunderstorm Simulator

The clearest difference is rating: Thunderstorm Simulator at 4.5 against Banner's 3.0. Thunderstorm Simulator also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 69%) and iOS requirement (13.0.0 vs 15.0). Banner's advantage is update cadence (every 3 months vs every 5 months) and price ($0.99 vs $1.99). On ratings volume, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Banner costs $0.99 and Thunderstorm Simulator $1.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Thunderstorm Simulator holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 2 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 69% of Banner's written reviews are positive against 100% of Thunderstorm Simulator's.

Banner ships an update every 3 months, Thunderstorm Simulator every 5 months. Both last shipped on September 23, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Banner | Thunderstorm Simulator |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$0.99** | $1.99 |
| Rating | [3.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/banner/id289468215/reviews) | **[4.5 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/thunderstorm-simulator/id1200949907/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 2 | 2 |
| Positive reviews | 68.9% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 months** | Every 5 months |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Size | 1 MB | 72 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **13.0.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Masayuki Akamatsu](https://appshunter.io/developer/284722836) | [Scott Dodson](https://appshunter.io/developer/1033778296) |

## What reviewers say

### Banner

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/banner/id289468215)

Create custom LED-matrix-style displays for messages, time, date, tweets, and music information. Personalize your display with adjustable speeds, orientations, and element styles. Ideal for unique visual notifications and information sharing.

**Highlights:** Customizable messages, Display time and date, Show tweet feeds, Display music info, Adjustable scroll/blink speed, Customizable LED appearance

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast scrolling
- 👍 Customizable colors and styles
- 💡 Multiple saved messages
- 👍 Fun and useful app
- 🚀 Improved over free version

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional freezing or crashing
- 🐛 Text editing issues
- 🐛 Orientation issues
- 🐛 Missing features from free version

**Reported bugs**

- Text editing cursor issues
- Orientation-related bugs
- Freezing or crashing

**Requested features**

- More color and font options
- Ability to add symbols like heart
- Vertical scrolling or screen saver mode
- Random message playback
- Ability to manipulate individual pixels


### Thunderstorm Simulator

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/thunderstorm-simulator/id1200949907)

Create a personalized thunderstorm experience with adjustable rain, thunder, and lightning effects. Customize sound volumes, lightning occurrences, and light colors to relax or fall asleep. Includes a sleep timer and options for background nature sounds.

**Highlights:** Adjustable rain sounds and volume, Customizable thunder and lightning occurrences, Screen or camera flash lightning effects, Background nature sounds, Sleep timer with fade-out, Keep Awake mode, Lightning on Demand control

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Banner free?

Banner costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Thunderstorm Simulator free?

Thunderstorm Simulator costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Banner or Thunderstorm Simulator?

Thunderstorm Simulator is rated higher. Banner averages 3.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while Thunderstorm Simulator averages 4.5 from 2 ratings.

### Do Banner or Thunderstorm Simulator have ads?

Neither Banner nor Thunderstorm Simulator shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Banner or Thunderstorm Simulator?

Banner ships an update every 3 months, and Thunderstorm Simulator every 5 months. Most recently, Banner was updated on September 23, 2026 and Thunderstorm Simulator on September 23, 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.*