Comparison

UI Explorer Light vs UI Playground

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

Head to head
About

UI Explorer Light

Features
Read full description

When you are developing your app using SwiftUI, it is really time consuming to compare all possible styles of buttons, list etc to choose one fits best. This app help you check all possible options for SwiftUI's views without recompiling. Compare how they look like on iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, tvOS and MacOS. This version of the app is for checking how iPad's apps look like on ARM Macs.

About

UI Playground

Design and preview native iOS UI components with customizable options. Export native code to streamline development and share with others. Supports designers, developers, and product owners.

Highlights
  • Explore and customize native UI components
  • Preview live components with screenshots
  • Export native code for development
  • Auto-save and multiple draft support
  • Adheres to Human Interface Guidelines
  • Supports semantic colors and SF Symbols
  • Save to iCloud for cross-device work
Features
Read full description

Craft the best iOS 26 user experience by choosing the appropriate interface components with the right customisation. Explore and customise native UI components to unlock endless possibilities for your app. Take it to the next level, by previewing a live component within the context of your app, simply by adding a screenshot image. Finally, export native code to share with developers streamlining development. FOR DESIGNERS Explore on the device, all the possibilities that each user interface component supports, exactly as it will work in a real app. FOR DEVELOPERS Learn SwiftUI backwards by first interacting with components on iPhone and then reading or applying the code in a real app. FOR PRODUCT OWNERS Convey your ideas faster by designing small interactions within the context of your app, without the commitment of implementation. FEATURES • Auto-save: Automatically save every customisation you make — never loose your work. • Save Multiple Drafts: work on the same component with different customisations. • Human Interface Guidelines: small instructions lead to a proper usage of components that respect HIG. • Design & Developer Docs: get more information about each component on Apple's website. • Semantic Colors: add system colors with a version for light and dark mode. • SF Symbols: add system symbols for an extra level of precision. • Guides: align components within the safe areas or highlight the component. • Grouped Components: advanced components lets you build an entire Settings area. • Save to iCloud: work on multiple devices without loosing the work. By purchasing this app, we will guarantee ongoing support for any OS updates that changes existing or brings new relevant main UI components. If you have any doubts or want to report an issue with the app, please feel free to reach us at support@uiplayground.app . TERMS OF SERVICE https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

UI Explorer Light3 screens
UI Playground4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: UI Playground at monthly against UI Explorer Light's every 11 months. UI Playground also leads on iOS requirement (17.0 vs 26.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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. UI Explorer Light sells 2 one-off in-app purchases and UI Playground sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

UI Explorer Light ships an update every 11 months, UI Playground monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 18, 2026 and September 27, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
UI Explorer Light versus UI Playground: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterUI Explorer LightUI Playground
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—66.7% of reviews
Number of ratings—2 — better
Update frequencyEvery 11 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
Monetization—Free with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS26.017.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size10 MB75 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLeonid LiadveikinEmanuel Fernandes

In-app purchases

2 purchases

UI Explorer Light

One-time2
  • Tip$0.99
  • Donation$4.99
7 purchases

UI Playground

Subscriptions5
  • Weekly$4.997 Days
  • Monthly$9.991 Month
  • Biannual3 Days trial$23.996 Months
Show 2 more
  • Yearly$44.991 Year
  • Yearly3 Days trial$49.991 Year
One-time2
  • Lifetime Discount$99.00
  • Lifetime$149.00

Questions

Is UI Explorer Light free?
UI Explorer Light is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is UI Playground free?
UI Playground is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do UI Explorer Light or UI Playground have ads?
Neither UI Explorer Light nor UI Playground shows ads.
Which is updated more often, UI Explorer Light or UI Playground?
UI Explorer Light ships an update every 11 months, and UI Playground monthly. Most recently, UI Explorer Light was updated on September 18, 2026 and UI Playground on September 27, 2026.

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