POPLIGHT vs shelpful
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
POPLIGHT
This app provides a convenient and affordable way to achieve the look of wall lighting without the complexities of traditional installation. It's ideal for renters concerned about damage and homeowners seeking a simpler, less expensive alternative.
- Easy installation
- No mess or expense
- Removable for renters
- Cost-effective for homeowners
- Protects security deposits
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Poplight is the deal wall light for those who want the convenience and look of wall lighting without the hassle, mess, or expense of installing traditional wall sconces. If you rent your space: Poplight won't risk your security deposit and easily removes when it's time to move (plus you can re-install Poplight at your next place). If you own your place: Poplight is easier and less expensive to install than traditional wall sconces.
shelpful
This AI-powered assistant helps you tackle daily tasks and habits, especially if you struggle with executive function. It provides proactive nudges, brainstorming support, and customizable interactions to help you get things done.
- AI-powered task and habit management
- Proactive nudges and reminders
- Brainstorming and suggestion support
- Customizable AI buddy name and tone
- Habit and to-do list integration
- Snooze reminders and flexible nudges
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Feel like you suck at life? Get an AI buddy that proactively nudges you to get everyday stuff done. Built for ADHD minds or anyone who’s overwhelmed. It helps you actually follow through with all the crap you need to. ----- FINALLY DO THE THINGS ----- ⓵ Say what you need to do in chat (habits, tasks, errands). ⓶ It'll ping and pester you to actually DO the stuff. ⓷ Say “I did it” → it gets marked complete. ⓸ Brainstorm → Your AI bud is amazing at suggesting the bare minimum to get things rolling. ----- MAKE IT YOURS ----- → Name your AI buddy to motivate you: Task Daddy? Frank? Accountability Alice? anything! → Customize your AI’s tone: chill, tough love, sweary. → Add habits + to-dos in one place. → Snooze reminders or ask for a later nudge. → Hit “Burn it Down” to reset anytime. ----- START IN SECONDS ----- You'll instantly start chatting with your AI buddy. No forms to fill out, no quizzes. Just forward motion in your own way. Shelpful (stands for super+helpful) was built by ADHDers, certified habit coaches, tech whizzes. ----- YOU DON'T SUCK AT LIFE, YOU JUST NEED BETTER TOOLS ----- We're on a mission to create more support for people who feel like they suck at life. > We’ve already helped over 100,000 people figure out habits and tasks. We’re excited to help you too. :) ----- IN THE NEWS ----- "Sam Altman’s venture fund invests $3M in Shelpful, using humans and AI to keep people on task." — GeekWire ----- PEOPLE ARE LOVING THE SHELPFUL APP ----- "I feel like I have a friend in my corner who eases the demands on my memory/executive function so I can stop spinning my wheels and start getting things done." - Sarah M., shelpful member "I absolutely love the Shelpful App. It's so cute and so funny and easy to use...I love that I can set the tone of the messages to fit me and that I can name my AI buddy which is especially nice when the notifications come on my phone." -- Dana B., shelpful member "I use Shelpful daily and know it’s helped my self-esteem, productivity, health, and self-awareness immensely." -- C., shelpful member ------ Terms of service: https://shelpful.com/terms Privacy Policy: https://shelpful.com/privacy-policy
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: shelpful at 67% against POPLIGHT's 7%. shelpful also leads on rating (4.3 vs 1.6). POPLIGHT's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 6) and ratings volume (146 vs 32). On price, update cadence, ads and device support 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
Both are free to download. shelpful sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. POPLIGHT asks for nothing beyond the download.
shelpful holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 1.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 146 and 32 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 7% of POPLIGHT's written reviews are positive against 67% of shelpful's.
Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | POPLIGHT | shelpful |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 1.6 (146 ratings) | 4.3 (32 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 7.0% of reviews | 66.7% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 146 — better | 32 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Every 3 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 15.1 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 117 MB | 54 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | Poplight LLC | Shelpful Inc |
Customer experience
POPLIGHT
shelpful
Bugs and requests
POPLIGHT
Reported bugs
74 issues- Lights not turning on/off
- App losing connection frequently
- Lights turning off by themselves
- Timer not working
- Grouping lights not working correctly
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- App not remembering settings
- Battery percentage inaccurate
- Lights unsyncing from app
- Bluetooth connectivity issues
- App crashing or freezing
- Error messages when using app
- Difficulty re-syncing lights
- Light temperature not adjustable
- App prompts to refresh constantly
- Back button inconsistent
- Lights get stuck on previous timer
- App controls only one of two lights
- Lights not responding to app commands
- App doesn't open to control screen
- Physical buttons on lamp are touchy
- Lights randomly unsynced
- Buttons not reactive, require multiple taps
- Cannot remove timer once set
- Cannot adjust hour setting on custom timer
- Grouping lights prevents individual control
- App doesn't show correct light color
- Support offered no solutions
- Lights not working without app
- App not working well
- Lights lose connection to app frequently
- Lights turn off unexpectedly
- Timer set to 30 mins but lights turn off
- Batteries fully charged but lights turn off
- Light temp feature not working
- Issues getting light to respond to connect to apps
- Level included was empty
- App has major problems with design
- Bluetooth got worse when grouped
- App is v1 and feels that way
- Only one person can connect to lights
- Basic bugs need to be fixed
- App is really glitchy
- Light temp is not warm enough
- App is near-impossible to use
- Have to delete and re-add lights every time
- Light not working after charging
- App can't find pop light via Bluetooth
- App is THE WORST
- Have to unsync and re-sync lights every day
- App not user-friendly
- Step after step to turn light on and off
- Main issue is light won't turn on/off outside app
- Takes multiple hits to turn on/off
- Warm setting is still very cool
- App design is more style over substance
- Constantly lose connection with lamp via app
- Have to go into Adjust Settings, re-connect, then turn on/off
- Graphics are not great UI
- App needs redesign
- App has major problems with how it's designed
- Doesn't open with a screen to turn on/off
- Easier to change color of icon than turn on
- Dropdown to select lights is finicky
- Timer function doesn't have good feedback
- Not clear if timer is one-time or recurring
- No product documentation
- Keeps prompting to refresh app
- Grouped lights not linked to physical lamp
- Bluetooth got worse when grouped
- Lights feel and look cheap
- Color tone is limited
- Light occasionally turns off on its own
- App has major problems with how it's designed
- App is rife with bugs
Requested features
13 requests- Apple HomeKit integration
- Widget for quick control
- Remote control accessory
- Darker light temperature option
- Improved timer functionality
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- Ability to control all lights at once
- In-app notifications for low battery
- More intuitive on/off button placement
- Integration with Google/Apple/Alexa
- Automation options for lights
- Ability to customize timers more
- Easier renaming of lights
- Better feedback on timer status
shelpful
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
POPLIGHT
No in-app purchases
shelpful
- Pay What You Can - 114 Days trial$6.991 Month
- Pay What You Can - 214 Days trial$8.991 Month
- Monthly14 Days trial$9.991 Month
Show 3 moreShow fewer
- Pay What You Can - 314 Days trial$12.991 Month
- Pay What You Can - 414 Days trial$17.991 Month
- Pay What You Can - 514 Days trial$19.991 Month
