# prettysmart vs Recess

The clearest difference is monetization model: prettysmart at free with in-app purchases against Recess's subscription. prettysmart also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 71%). On price, rating, ratings volume and update cadence there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. prettysmart sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days and Recess sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for prettysmart against 4.8 for Recess. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 18 and 29 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 100% of prettysmart's written reviews are positive against 71% of Recess's.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on October 25, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | prettysmart | Recess |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.9 (18 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/prettysmart-ai-flashcards/id6741184646/reviews)** | [4.8 (29 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/recess-study-then-scroll/id6777757202/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 18 | **29** |
| Positive reviews | **100.0% of reviews** | 71.4% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | Every 2 weeks |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Subscription |
| Size | 102 MB | 24 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.4** | 17.0 |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Stanislav Urban](https://appshunter.io/developer/1793474249) | [THOMAS JOHN GIRGASH](https://appshunter.io/developer/1896528302) |

## What reviewers say

### prettysmart

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/prettysmart-ai-flashcards/id6741184646)

This app locks distracting applications and requires users to study flashcards to unlock them. It uses AI to generate flashcards from notes and implements a spaced repetition system to optimize learning. Track your study progress and reclaim your screen time.

**Highlights:** AI-generated flashcards from notes, App locker linked to study progress, Spaced repetition scheduling (FSRS), Track study time conversion, Offline study mode, Deck sharing

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pro Access (Weekly) | $3.99 | per 7 days |
| Pro Access (Monthly) | $11.99 | per month |
| Pro Access | $14.99 | per year |
| Pro Access | $28.99 | per year |
| Pro Access | $28.99 | per year |
| Pro Access (Annual) | $28.99 | per year |
| Pro Access (Annual) | $45.99 | per year |


### Recess

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/recess-study-then-scroll/id6777757202)

This app uses your study materials to create flashcards and quizzes, blocking distracting apps until you complete them. Earn your scroll time by answering questions and building study streaks. It's designed to turn idle phone usage into productive learning sessions.

**Highlights:** AI flashcard generation from notes, PDFs, and slides, Study gate to block distracting apps, Quiz Me and Practice Test modes, Daily study goals and streaks, Exam ramp with test date reminders, Spaced repetition scheduling, Web companion for computer uploads

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

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Recess Pro Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| Recess Pro Monthly | $12.99 | per month |
| Recess Pro Yearly | $29.99 | per year |
| Recess Pro Yearly | $39.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is prettysmart free?

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

### Is Recess free?

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

### Which has better reviews, prettysmart or Recess?

prettysmart is rated higher. prettysmart averages 4.9 out of 5 from 18 ratings, while Recess averages 4.8 from 29 ratings.

### Do prettysmart or Recess have ads?

Neither prettysmart nor Recess shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, prettysmart or Recess?

prettysmart ships an update every 2 weeks, and Recess every 2 weeks. Most recently, prettysmart was updated on October 25, 2026 and Recess on October 25, 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.*