# PreHeat vs API 653 helpmate

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: PreHeat at 13.0 against API 653 helpmate's 16.0. On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. PreHeat sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and API 653 helpmate sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

PreHeat ships an update fortnightly, API 653 helpmate every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 15, 2026 and September 12, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | PreHeat | API 653 helpmate |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Every 3 weeks |
| Size | 4 MB | 33 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Shabbir Ahmed](https://appshunter.io/developer/1083166021) | [Austenite Pty Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1525502686) |

## What reviewers say

### PreHeat

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/preheat/id6461216985)

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Non Consumable Subscription | $3.99 | one-time |


### API 653 helpmate

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/api-653-helpmate/id6745550821)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Wallet

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| API 653 Premium - 1 Year Access | $49.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is PreHeat free?

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

### Is API 653 helpmate free?

API 653 helpmate is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do PreHeat or API 653 helpmate have ads?

Neither PreHeat nor API 653 helpmate shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, PreHeat or API 653 helpmate?

PreHeat ships an update fortnightly, and API 653 helpmate every 3 weeks. Most recently, PreHeat was updated on September 15, 2026 and API 653 helpmate on September 12, 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.*