# Essential Launcher vs Backtrack

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Backtrack at none against Essential Launcher's 6. Essential Launcher's advantage is update cadence (every 11 days vs every 5 weeks). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

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

Essential Launcher ships an update every 11 days, Backtrack every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Essential Launcher | Backtrack |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 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** | Every 5 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 41 MB | 1 MB |
| Requires iOS | **17.0** | 18.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Patrik Racskai](https://appshunter.io/developer/1728193737) | [Zixiang Zhang](https://appshunter.io/developer/1864080804) |

## 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 |


### Backtrack

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backtrack/id6756986708)

**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 Backtrack free?

Backtrack is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do Essential Launcher or Backtrack have ads?

Neither Essential Launcher nor Backtrack shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Essential Launcher or Backtrack?

Essential Launcher ships an update every 11 days, and Backtrack every 5 weeks. Most recently, Essential Launcher was updated on October 7, 2026 and Backtrack on September 23, 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.*