# Essential Launcher vs Tasks in a loop

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Tasks in a loop at none against Essential Launcher's 6. Tasks in a loop also leads on iOS requirement (12.0 vs 17.0). On price, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Essential Launcher sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Tasks in a loop asks for nothing beyond the download.

Essential Launcher ships an update every 11 days, Tasks in a loop weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Essential Launcher | Tasks in a loop |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.5 (31 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/essential-launcher/id6590616999/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **31** | — |
| Positive reviews | 88.2% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 11 days | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 41 MB | 30 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **12.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Patrik Racskai](https://appshunter.io/developer/1728193737) | [Lukas Jirovsky](https://appshunter.io/developer/1555134998) |

## What reviewers say

### Essential Launcher

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/essential-launcher/id6590616999)

This app offers a minimalist home screen experience designed to reduce distractions and limit screen time. Customize your interface with only essential applications to promote focus and productivity.

**Highlights:** Minimalist home screen, Reduce distractions, Limit screen time, Customize essential apps, Clean, intuitive interface, Dark and light modes

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Discounted | $0.99 | per month |
| Annual Discounted | $3.99 | per year |
| Monthly | $3.99 | per month |
| Annual | $12.99 | per year |
| Lifetime Free | Free | one-time |
| Lifetime | $5.99 | one-time |


### Tasks in a loop

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tasks-in-a-loop/id6741511531)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Essential Launcher free?

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

### Is Tasks in a loop free?

Tasks in a loop is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do Essential Launcher or Tasks in a loop have ads?

Neither Essential Launcher nor Tasks in a loop shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Essential Launcher or Tasks in a loop?

Essential Launcher ships an update every 11 days, and Tasks in a loop weekly. Most recently, Essential Launcher was updated on October 7, 2026 and Tasks in a loop on October 8, 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.*