# WidgetKit vs StandBy

The clearest difference is rating: WidgetKit at 4.2 against StandBy's 3.3. WidgetKit also leads on ratings volume (222 vs 44). StandBy's advantage is review sentiment (60% vs 27%). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. WidgetKit sells 11 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days and StandBy sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $19.99 per 6 months. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

WidgetKit holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 3.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: WidgetKit has 222 ratings behind it against 44, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 27% of WidgetKit's written reviews are positive against 60% of StandBy's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

WidgetKit ships an update every 10 days, StandBy every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 18, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | WidgetKit | StandBy |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.2 (222 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/widgetkit-widgets-and-wallpaper/id6467385403/reviews)** | [3.3 (44 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/standby-widgets/id6468032432/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **222** | 44 |
| Positive reviews | 27.0% of reviews | **60.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 10 days | **Every 8 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Size | 237 MB | 58 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [CEM SOFTWARE LTD](https://appshunter.io/developer/1664408786) | [Twinstar Creatives](https://appshunter.io/developer/1378171714) |

## What reviewers say

### WidgetKit

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/widgetkit-widgets-and-wallpaper/id6467385403)

Personalize your device with custom widgets and wallpapers. Track health data, manage tasks, enjoy interactive games, and stay updated with weather and calendar information. Access a vast library of wallpapers and customize your lock screen.

**Highlights:** Health tracking widgets, Interactive task management and games, Holiday and festive themes, Real-time weather updates, Digital and analog clock faces, Calendar integration, Customizable countdowns, Extensive wallpaper library, Lock screen widget customization

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

**In-app purchases (11)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly Subscription | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly Subscription | $9.99 | per month |
| Yearly Subscription | $29.99 | per year |
| Yearly Trial | $29.99 | per year |
| 80 Diamonds | $0.99 | one-time |
| 500 Diamonds | $4.99 | one-time |
| 1200 Diamonds | $9.99 | one-time |
| 2500 Diamonds | $19.99 | one-time |
| StandBy Themes Lifetime | $39.99 | one-time |
| 6500 Diamonds | $49.99 | one-time |
| 14000 Diamonds | $99.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🎨 Cute and aesthetic widget designs
- ✨ Beautiful wallpapers and standby themes
- 🎮 Fun mini-games and pet features
- 🆓 Free content available without premium
- 👍 Easy customization tutorial

**What reviewers complain about**

- 📺 Excessive ads on every interaction
- 💰 Paywall for premium features and widgets
- 🐛 Widgets don't work or appear after download
- 📱 iPad compatibility issues
- 🎭 False/misleading advertisements

**Reported bugs**

- Widgets fail to install or display on home/lock screen
- Ads prevent closing and take up half the screen
- App crashes or becomes unresponsive
- Widget selection shows 'nothing to select' error
- Friend-sharing redirects to app store without functionality

**Requested features**

- Theme pack customization options
- Reduce or eliminate ads
- Better instructions for home screen widget usage
- More free widget options
- Improved friend-sharing functionality


### StandBy

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/standby-widgets/id6468032432)

Transform your iPhone into a smart bedside display while charging. View widgets like clocks, calendars, and photos in landscape mode. Customize themes for a personalized experience.

**Highlights:** Smart landscape display mode, Bedside clock functionality, Digital photo frame, Customizable widgets (clock, calendar, photo), Themed interfaces, Pro features with subscription

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

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| StandBy+ | $19.99 | per 6 months |
| StandBy+ | $9.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 User-friendly interface
- 🎨 Creative customization options
- ✨ Visually appealing designs
- ✅ Works as intended (for some)
- 💰 One-time purchase (for some)

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💸 App requires payment
- 🚫 Widgets are paid
- 📉 Limited free designs
- 💰 Greedy money grab
- ❌ Non-functional without payment

**Reported bugs**

- Clock not accurate
- Standby widgets not working (weather, date)
- Weather widget does not recognize location
- Weather widget fails to update in standby/homescreen
- App doesn't request location permissions for weather

**Requested features**

- Fix standby widgets (weather, date)
- Improve weather widget location recognition
- Make app functional without immediate payment
- Add more diverse widget designs


## Frequently asked questions

### Is WidgetKit free?

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

### Is StandBy free?

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

### Which has better reviews, WidgetKit or StandBy?

WidgetKit is rated higher. WidgetKit averages 4.2 out of 5 from 222 ratings, while StandBy averages 3.3 from 44 ratings.

### Do WidgetKit or StandBy have ads?

Neither WidgetKit nor StandBy shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, WidgetKit or StandBy?

WidgetKit ships an update every 10 days, and StandBy every 8 days. Most recently, WidgetKit was updated on October 17, 2026 and StandBy on October 18, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*