Comparison

Maelstrom vs Rutin

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side โ€” with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Maelstrom

Features
Read full description

Maelstrom helps you stick to your routines and habits. Create routines by breaking them down into individual tasks with a duration. When you start a routine, the app will guide you through it one task at a time with a timer. When the time is up, it will alert you to move on to the next task to make sure you complete the routine. Additional features include: - Individual task schedules (e.g. "Journal every Sunday") - Minimum time for positive habits (e.g. "Read for at least 5 minutes") If this sounds helpful, give it a try. The app is free without subscriptions, ads or tracking. It is a personal project with no commercial intention.

About

Rutin

Features
Read full description

"When do I actually need to start getting ready?" That's the question Rutin answers. Tell it when you need to be ready, add what you need to do, and Rutin works backward to the minute, so you always know the exact moment to begin. It works for anything you get ready for: Getting ready for a night out, a date, or an event, hair, makeup, and outfit included Leaving for work or school on time Making a train, flight, or bus you can't afford to miss Getting the whole family out the door Being on time for the gym, an appointment, or a dinner reservation Even a wind-down routine that gets you to bed when you meant to Keep a separate routine for each occasion, and reach for the right one whenever you need it. Here's how it works. Build a routine once and pick your "ready by" time. Add your steps and roughly how long each one takes, with icons and colors so a single glance tells you where you are. Rutin counts backward from your deadline and shows you when to start. Press go and it runs alongside you: the step you're on, a live countdown, and whether you're still on pace to make it. Falling behind? It happens. Rutin gently suggests where to make up the time, like trimming a step or skipping something optional. It stays honest about what's realistic and never pretends you can do the impossible. A few more things people love: Focus mode clears everything away and shows just the step in front of you. Live Activities keep your countdown on the Lock Screen and in the Dynamic Island. Widgets and friendly reminders nudge you the moment it's time to begin. Over time, Rutin notices when a step always runs long or short and offers to adjust it for you. No tracking. No Login. Everything stays on your device. Rutin is free with one routine and up to five tasks. Rutin Unlimited adds unlimited routines and tasks, repeating routines, and stats. It starts with a free week, then renews weekly until you cancel in your Apple Account settings. Bought Rutin Pro before? You keep everything, no subscription needed. Whatever you're getting ready for, Rutin tells you when to start, so you make it on time without the scramble. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://rutin-76e32.web.app/privacy

Screenshots

Maelstrom3 screens
Rutin4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Maelstrom at none against Rutin's 2. Maelstrom also leads on iOS requirement (15.1 vs 26.0). Rutin's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 8 months). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price ยท Rating ยท Positive reviews ยท Number of ratings ยท Update frequency ยท Ads ยท In-app purchases ยท Monetization ยท Best chart rank ยท Devices ยท Requires iOS

CostPrice ยท In-app purchases ยท Ads ยท Monetization

Both are free to download. Rutin sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per 7 days. Maelstrom asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Maelstrom ships an update every 8 months, Rutin weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 9, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences ยท 3 level
Maelstrom versus Rutin: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMaelstromRutin
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 8 monthsWeekly โ€” better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo โ€” betterYes
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch โ€” better
Requires iOS15.1 โ€” better26.0
Further details โ€” not scored
Size32 MB17 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRichard HelmEmilia Elgfors

In-app purchases

None

Maelstrom

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Rutin

Subscriptions1
  • Rutin Unlimited7 Days trial$0.997 Days
One-time1
  • Rutin Pro$9.99

Questions

Is Maelstrom free?
Maelstrom is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Rutin free?
Rutin is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Maelstrom or Rutin have ads?
Neither Maelstrom nor Rutin shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Maelstrom or Rutin?
Maelstrom ships an update every 8 months, and Rutin weekly. Most recently, Maelstrom was updated on October 9, 2026 and Rutin on October 25, 2026.

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