Comparison

Loccali vs Phien

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

Head to head
About

Loccali

This app provides persistent, global storage for Apple Shortcuts, allowing variables to survive between runs, automations, and devices. It supports various data types and offers a free tier with limitations and a Pro version with unlimited capabilities.

Highlights
  • Persistent global variable storage
  • Cross-shortcut and cross-device variable access
  • Sync variables via iCloud
  • Support for complex data types
  • Instant Shortcuts integration
  • Free tier with limited variables
  • Pro tier with unlimited variables and features
Features
Read full description

Make your local variables global — across Shortcuts, devices, and time. Loccali gives Apple Shortcuts the one thing it's missing: persistent, global storage. With Loccali, you can store data that survives between runs, across automations, and even across devices — without resorting to workarounds or iCloud Drive hacks. What It Does: - Store key-value data outside of individual shortcuts - Retrieve or update that data from any shortcut - Sync variables via iCloud across iPhone, iPad, and Mac - Store more complex data types (arrays, locations, dates, files) Free Version Includes: - Store up to 10 variables - Supports Text (up to 256 characters), Booleans, and Positive Integers - Instant Shortcuts integration via native actions - Clean, simple UI for direct variable management Pro Unlocks: - Unlimited variables - Full support for: - Text (no limit) - Integers & Decimals (positive and negative) - Arrays (e.g., JSON-style lists) - Dates and Locations - Files (store and retrieve files via Shortcuts) - More flexibility for serious automation workflows Available as: - Monthly auto-renewable subscription - Yearly auto-renewable subscription (best value per month) - One-time lifetime unlock Already bought Pro? You're set — your original purchase keeps unlocking the full Pro feature set you paid for, forever, no subscription required. Privacy: - Your variables stay on your device and in your private iCloud — never uploaded to our servers - Anonymous usage analytics and crash diagnostics via Firebase to help us fix bugs - Free tier shows a rewarded ad when you reach the daily action cap (iPhone and iPad only — Mac is ad-free) - Pro removes ads entirely - Full details: https://pierrejanineh.com/loccali/privacy-policy Who This Is For: - Automation enthusiasts - Shortcuts power users - Developers who want real persistence across Shortcuts - Anyone who's hit the limits of "magic variables" or built clunky workarounds Note: "Magic variables" are Shortcuts' built-in auto-generated values — they're convenient but temporary. Loccali gives you real, persistent ones. Loccali is not for everyone — but if you know what a global variable is, this is probably for you. No noise. Just clean, script-free state management for your Shortcuts. If you use Shortcuts seriously, this belongs in your toolbox. Subscription terms: - Loccali Pro is available as a monthly or yearly auto-renewable subscription, or a one-time lifetime unlock. - Payment is charged to your Apple ID at confirmation of purchase. - Your subscription renews automatically unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. - The account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period at the same price as the original subscription. - Manage or cancel your subscription in Settings → your Apple ID → Subscriptions. - Privacy policy: https://pierrejanineh.com/loccali/privacy-policy - Terms of use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Phien

Features
Read full description

Phien is built for speed. Tap to add a service. See each technician's work at a glance. No spreadsheets. No sticky notes. Just a clean, visual layout that works on iPhone and iPad.

Screenshots

Loccali4 screens
Phien4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Phien at none against Loccali's 3. Phien also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 11 days vs every 4 weeks). On price, 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. Loccali sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Phien asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Loccali ships an update every 4 weeks, Phien every 11 days. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Loccali versus Phien: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLoccaliPhien
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 4 weeksEvery 11 days — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.016.4 — better
Further details — not scored
Size27 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPierre JaninehThong Quang Vu

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Loccali

Subscriptions2
  • Pro - monthly$1.991 Month
  • Pro - yearly7 Days trial$9.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime Pro$29.99
None

Phien

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Loccali free?
Loccali is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Phien free?
Phien is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Loccali or Phien have ads?
Loccali shows ads; Phien does not.
Which is updated more often, Loccali or Phien?
Loccali ships an update every 4 weeks, and Phien every 11 days. Most recently, Loccali was updated on November 3, 2026 and Phien on November 4, 2026.

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