Comparison

Open App vs Live Shortcut

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

Head to head
About

Open App

Access your most used applications directly from your device's lock screen. This tool offers a convenient way to launch over 200 apps with a single tap, eliminating the need to unlock your device for quick access.

Highlights
  • Quick app access from lock screen
  • Supports over 200 applications
  • Simple one-tap icon launch
  • No URL schemes required
  • Request new app additions
Features
Read full description

Get quick and easy access to your favorite apps right from the lock screen! When you first launch an app from the lock screen,  we'll ask for permissions,  but after that, it's a simple click of an icon! With over 200 apps available,  you don't need to know any URL Schemes to launch apps directly from the lock screen. If there's an app you'd like us to add, just let us know through a review,  and we'll make sure to add it in no time. Your convenience is our priority!

About

Live Shortcut

Easily integrate your existing automations with Live Activities. Display reminders and important information on your Lock Screen and Dynamic Island to ensure you never miss a thing.

Highlights
  • Integrate automations with Live Activities
  • Display reminders on Lock Screen
  • Utilize Dynamic Island for notifications
  • Easy setup for existing shortcuts
  • Customizable display options
Features
Read full description

Turn your shortcuts into Live Activities on your Lock Screen and Dynamic Island. Live Shortcut puts the information from your automations where you can see it. Create a quick note in the app, or use Apple Shortcuts to display text from your own workflows. YOUR SHORTCUTS, AT A GLANCE Keep a reminder in sight, show a workflow result, or display a message when an automation runs. BUILT AROUND YOUR ROUTINE Choose what appears and when using your own Shortcuts automations. For example, display a garage-door reminder after your shortcut checks whether the door is open. MAKE IT YOURS Personalize your Live Activities with icons and color themes. Support for triggering another shortcut helps connect the next step in your workflow. MORE WITH PREMIUM Unlock additional customization, custom and built-in icons, multiple Live Activities, and control over which activities to end using identifiers. Create your first Live Activity and put your shortcuts in sight. Requires iOS 16.4 or later. Dynamic Island requires a compatible iPhone. Live Activity duration and visibility are managed by iOS. Some features require Premium. Privacy: https://andrewbfang.com/privacyPolicy.html Terms: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Open App3 screens
Live Shortcut4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Open App at none against Live Shortcut's 2. Open App also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 2 months). Live Shortcut's advantage is review sentiment (70% vs 60%). On price, ads, 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. Live Shortcut sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per year. Open App asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Open App ships an update every 2 weeks, Live Shortcut every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Open App versus Live Shortcut: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterOpen AppLive Shortcut
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.1 (12 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews60.0% of reviews70.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings12 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterEvery 2 months
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationAd-supported — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS16.0 — better16.4
Further details — not scored
Size36 MB7 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSunghee LeeAndrew Fang

Customer experience

Open App

All ratings12 ratings
Positive75.0%
Neutral8.3%
Negative16.7%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive60.0%
Neutral20.0%
Negative20.0%

Live Shortcut

Written reviews10 reviews
Positive70.0%
Neutral10.0%
Negative20.0%

In-app purchases

None

Open App

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Live Shortcut

Subscriptions1
  • Premium (Yearly)$0.991 Year
One-time1
  • Premium Lifetime$6.99

Questions

Is Open App free?
Open App is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Live Shortcut free?
Live Shortcut is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Open App or Live Shortcut have ads?
Both Open App and Live Shortcut show ads.
Which is updated more often, Open App or Live Shortcut?
Open App ships an update every 2 weeks, and Live Shortcut every 2 months. Most recently, Open App was updated on November 3, 2026 and Live Shortcut on November 4, 2026.

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