# Empty Widget vs Smile App Launcher

The clearest difference is rating: Smile App Launcher at 4.7 against Empty Widget's 4.2. Smile App Launcher also leads on monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases) and review sentiment (91% vs 67%). Empty Widget's advantage is update cadence (every 3 days vs every 5 weeks). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Empty Widget sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days and Smile App Launcher sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Smile App Launcher holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Smile App Launcher has 340 ratings behind it against 13, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 67% of Empty Widget's written reviews are positive against 91% of Smile App Launcher's.

Empty Widget ships an update every 3 days, Smile App Launcher every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 17, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Empty Widget | Smile App Launcher |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.2 (13 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/empty-widget/id6443517514/reviews) | **[4.7 (340 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smile-app-launcher/id6612008811/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 13 | **340** |
| Positive reviews | 66.7% of reviews | **90.8% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 days** | Every 5 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 9 MB | 17 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **16.1** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Dogancan Mavideniz](https://appshunter.io/developer/1645910174) | [Eggvelop Aps](https://appshunter.io/developer/1761271471) |

## What reviewers say

### Empty Widget

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/empty-widget/id6443517514)

Personalize your home and lock screens with customizable widgets. Create invisible spacing, add transparent elements, or use text, emoji, and countdowns to express yourself. Supports multiple sizes and seamlessly blends with your wallpaper.

**Highlights:** Transparent and invisible widgets, Custom colors and gradients, Text, emoji, and symbol widgets, Countdown and clock widgets, Home and lock screen support, Multiple widget sizes

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

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly Premium | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Yearly Premium | $29.99 | per year |


### Smile App Launcher

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smile-app-launcher/id6612008811)

This app offers a minimalistic launcher widget designed to declutter your smartphone screen and reduce distractions. It provides quick access to essential applications through a clean interface, helping you focus on what matters and enhance your digital wellbeing.

**Highlights:** Clean, no distraction interface, Quick access to essential apps, Customizable widget layout, 5 Widgets, Boost productivity, Enhance digital wellbeing

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

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Smile Premium Weekly | $1.99 | per 7 days |
| Smile Premium Monthly | $3.99 | per month |
| Smile Lifetime | $23.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Amazing free alternative
- 👍 Best free app
- 🚀 Drastically decreases screen time
- 👍 Seamless functionality
- 👍 Highly customizable

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional glitches with app launching
- 🐛 Widget name not fully customizable
- 🐛 Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions

**Reported bugs**

- Phone app shortcut not working
- Some apps not available in the list
- Widget disappearing after iOS update

**Requested features**

- More widget pages/slots
- Ability to hide widget name
- Support for iPad
- More font options
- Spacer widgets for layout customization


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Empty Widget free?

Empty Widget is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Smile App Launcher free?

Smile App Launcher is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Empty Widget or Smile App Launcher?

Smile App Launcher is rated higher. Empty Widget averages 4.2 out of 5 from 13 ratings, while Smile App Launcher averages 4.7 from 340 ratings.

### Do Empty Widget or Smile App Launcher have ads?

Neither Empty Widget nor Smile App Launcher shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Empty Widget or Smile App Launcher?

Empty Widget ships an update every 3 days, and Smile App Launcher every 5 weeks. Most recently, Empty Widget was updated on October 12, 2026 and Smile App Launcher on October 17, 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.*