Comparison

UV Index vs SPF

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

Head to head
About

UV Index

Track real-time UV levels and plan your sun exposure safely. Get personalized tips, check forecasts, and estimate your safe sun time. Stay informed and protected from harmful UV rays.

Highlights
  • Real-time UV Index
  • 10-Day UV Forecast
  • Global UV Search
  • Sunburn Timer
  • Skin Type Recommendations
  • Widgets
Features
Read full description

Sun safety starts with knowing the UV index. Whether you’re heading to the beach, going for a run, or just stepping outside, this app helps you track real-time UV levels and plan your sun exposure wisely. Get personalized skin protection tips, check forecasts for the next 10 days, and even estimate how long you can stay in the sun before burning. Key Features: Real-time UV Index – Instantly see the UV level at your location. 10-Day UV Forecast – Plan ahead with extended UV predictions. Global UV Search – Check the UV index anywhere in the world. Widgets – Get UV updates right on your Home Screen. Sunburn Timer – Know how long you can stay in the sun. Skin Type Recommendations – Personalized sun protection advice. Easy & Intuitive Design – Quick access to essential sun safety info. Stay informed, stay protected! Remember to seek a doctor’s advice before making any medical decisions. Terms of Service: https://github.com/alcaeusdevelopment/uv-index-policies/blob/main/TermsOfService.md Privacy policy: https://github.com/alcaeusdevelopment/uv-index-policies/blob/main/PrivacyPolicy.md

About

SPF

This app helps you achieve a faster and safer tan by tracking UV levels, providing personalized routines, and reminding you to reapply sunscreen. Monitor your progress and avoid burns with a structured approach to sun exposure.

Highlights
  • Real-time UV level checks
  • Customized tanning routines
  • Daily SPF and skincare plan
  • Sunscreen reapplication alerts
  • Tan progress tracking
  • Quick tan timer
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

SPF helps you understand UV conditions and plan your time in the sun with a personalized routine built around your skin type. WHAT YOU GET WITH YOUR SUBSCRIPTION - Real-time UV index — see current UV levels for your location - Personalized tanning routine — tailored to your skin type - Quick Tan timer — time your tanning sessions - Tan progress tracking — log your sessions A clear plan instead of guesswork. Built for people who want structure around their time in the sun. Download SPF and start building your routine. — — — SUBSCRIPTION SPF is a subscription-based app. An active auto-renewable subscription is required to access app features. SPF Premium is $5.99/week with a 3-day free trial. Pricing and subscription length are also shown in the app before purchase. - Payment is charged to your Apple ID at confirmation of purchase. - Subscriptions auto-renew unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. - Your account is charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. - Manage subscriptions and turn off auto-renewal in your Apple ID Account Settings. - Any unused portion of a free trial is forfeited upon purchase of a subscription. DATA & PRIVACY SPF processes facial and skin images on your device to estimate skin attributes (such as tone and skin type) used to personalize your tanning routine. No biometric identification data is collected. All image data is stored exclusively on your device and is deleted when you uninstall the app. HEALTH & SAFETY NOTICE SPF provides general guidance based on UV index and weather data. It is not a medical device and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. UV exposure carries inherent risks, including skin damage, premature aging, and skin cancer. Consult a qualified healthcare professional or dermatologist before making decisions about sun exposure, particularly if you have a history of skin conditions, are taking photosensitizing medications, or have other health concerns. Always follow guidance from medical professionals over recommendations in this app. WEATHER DATA SPF uses Apple Weather to provide UV index and weather information. Learn more about Apple WeatherKit at: https://weatherkit.apple.com/legal-attribution.html LINKS Terms of Use (EULA): https://forested-danger-c97.notion.site/SPF-Terms-and-Conditions-1d21673c1ce280598b03c03583b3bf14 Privacy Policy: https://forested-danger-c97.notion.site/SPF-Privacy-Policy-1d21673c1ce2807fa560e63f8cb21191

Screenshots

UV Index4 screens
SPF4 screens

Verdict

The call

UV Index and SPF both sit at 4.6 stars, but that hides the real split: 76% of UV Index's written reviews are positive against 32% of SPF's. SPF's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and chart position (#58 vs unranked). On price, rating, update cadence and in-app purchases 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. UV Index sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days and SPF sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for UV Index against 4.6 for SPF. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1.1K and 5K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 76% of UV Index's written reviews are positive against 32% of SPF's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

UV Index ships an update every 5 days, SPF weekly. The most recent releases landed on November 12, 2026 and November 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
UV Index versus SPF: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterUV IndexSPF
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (1.1K ratings)4.6 (5K ratings) — better
Positive reviews75.9% of reviews — better31.8% of reviews
Number of ratings1.1K5K — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 days — betterWeekly
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank—#58 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS17.016.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size87 MB212 MB
Age rating4+9+
DeveloperAlcaeus Development ABBluPalms

Customer experience

UV Index

All ratings1,079 ratings
Positive89.5%
Neutral6.4%
Negative4.1%
Written reviews87 reviews
Positive75.9%
Neutral12.6%
Negative11.5%

SPF

All ratings4,998 ratings
Positive88.9%
Neutral5.2%
Negative5.9%
Written reviews157 reviews
Positive31.8%
Neutral9.6%
Negative58.6%

User reviews

UV Index

From 1.1K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Reliable for tanning
  • 📊 Tracks weather and UV exposure
  • 💡 Personalized tanning tips
  • 🔍 Accurate UV index

Room to improve

  • 💰 Many features require paid subscription
  • 🔒 Limited access to full functionality without paying

SPF

From 5K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Easy to use
  • 👍 Helpful tanning routine
  • 🚀 Efficient tanning process
  • 💡 Free version available
  • 👍 Tracks tanning progress

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional crashes or glitches

Bugs and requests

UV Index

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • App sometimes doesn't work as expected
  • Buttons and features not always responsive

Requested features

3 requests
  • Add hourly UV exposure indicators
  • Include more features in free version
  • Improve widget functionality

SPF

Reported bugs

1 issue
  • Compatibility issues with older devices

Requested features

2 requests
  • Advanced tanning analytics
  • Customizable tanning plans

In-app purchases

10 purchases

UV Index

Subscriptions10
  • UV Index Pro Weekly$1.997 Days
  • UV Index Pro Monthly3 Days trial$1.991 Month
  • SunWise Pro - Weekly7 Days trial$3.997 Days
Show 7 more
  • SunWise Pro - Weekly$3.997 Days
  • UV Index Pro Weekly3 Days trial$3.997 Days
  • SunWise Pro - Yearly7 Days trial$19.991 Year
  • SunWise Pro - Yearly7 Days trial$29.991 Year
  • UV Index Pro Yearly3 Days trial$29.991 Year
  • UV Index Pro Yearly7 Days trial$29.991 Year
  • UV Index Pro Yearly7 Days trial$39.991 Year
7 purchases

SPF

Subscriptions7
  • SPF: Weekly Offer Plan$0.997 Days
  • Weekly Offer Plan$2.997 Days
  • Weekly Plan$3.997 Days
Show 4 more
  • Weekly Plan3 Days trial$5.997 Days
  • weekly5.99$5.997 Days
  • SPF: Yearly Offer Plan$29.991 Year
  • SPF: Yearly Offer Plan3 Days trial$47.001 Year

Questions

Is UV Index free?
UV Index is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is SPF free?
SPF is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, UV Index or SPF?
SPF is rated higher. UV Index averages 4.6 out of 5 from 1.1K ratings, while SPF averages 4.6 from 5K ratings.
Do UV Index or SPF have ads?
UV Index shows ads; SPF does not.
Which is updated more often, UV Index or SPF?
UV Index ships an update every 5 days, and SPF weekly. Most recently, UV Index was updated on November 12, 2026 and SPF on November 8, 2026.

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