Comparison

SPF vs Luminous

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

Head to head
About

SPF

This app helps you achieve a faster and safer tan by tracking UV levels, providing personalized routines, and reminding you to reapply sunscreen. Monitor your progress and avoid burns with a structured approach to sun exposure.

Highlights
  • Real-time UV level checks
  • Customized tanning routines
  • Daily SPF and skincare plan
  • Sunscreen reapplication alerts
  • Tan progress tracking
  • Quick tan timer
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

SPF helps you understand UV conditions and plan your time in the sun with a personalized routine built around your skin type. WHAT YOU GET WITH YOUR SUBSCRIPTION - Real-time UV index — see current UV levels for your location - Personalized tanning routine — tailored to your skin type - Quick Tan timer — time your tanning sessions - Tan progress tracking — log your sessions A clear plan instead of guesswork. Built for people who want structure around their time in the sun. Download SPF and start building your routine. — — — SUBSCRIPTION SPF is a subscription-based app. An active auto-renewable subscription is required to access app features. SPF Premium is $5.99/week with a 3-day free trial. Pricing and subscription length are also shown in the app before purchase. - Payment is charged to your Apple ID at confirmation of purchase. - Subscriptions auto-renew unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. - Your account is charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. - Manage subscriptions and turn off auto-renewal in your Apple ID Account Settings. - Any unused portion of a free trial is forfeited upon purchase of a subscription. DATA & PRIVACY SPF processes facial and skin images on your device to estimate skin attributes (such as tone and skin type) used to personalize your tanning routine. No biometric identification data is collected. All image data is stored exclusively on your device and is deleted when you uninstall the app. HEALTH & SAFETY NOTICE SPF provides general guidance based on UV index and weather data. It is not a medical device and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. UV exposure carries inherent risks, including skin damage, premature aging, and skin cancer. Consult a qualified healthcare professional or dermatologist before making decisions about sun exposure, particularly if you have a history of skin conditions, are taking photosensitizing medications, or have other health concerns. Always follow guidance from medical professionals over recommendations in this app. WEATHER DATA SPF uses Apple Weather to provide UV index and weather information. Learn more about Apple WeatherKit at: https://weatherkit.apple.com/legal-attribution.html LINKS Terms of Use (EULA): https://forested-danger-c97.notion.site/SPF-Terms-and-Conditions-1d21673c1ce280598b03c03583b3bf14 Privacy Policy: https://forested-danger-c97.notion.site/SPF-Privacy-Policy-1d21673c1ce2807fa560e63f8cb21191

About

Luminous

This app tracks real-time UV levels and your daily sun exposure to help you protect your skin and stay healthy. It offers smart notifications and integrates with Apple Health for comprehensive wellness tracking.

Highlights
  • Real-time UV measurement
  • Automatic exposure tracking
  • Smart UV notifications
  • Apple Health integration
  • Winter sun exposure tracking
Features
Read full description

Your skin needs the right amount of sun. Not too much, not too little. Luminous measures real-time UV levels and tracks your daily exposure, so you can protect your skin, boost your mood, and stay healthy all year round. - Real-time UV measurement so you always know what you're stepping into - Automatic exposure tracking via Apple Watch or in-app timers - Smart notifications when UV levels become harmful, or when you've hit your daily goal - Apple Health integration to keep all your wellness data in one place - Stay on top of sun exposure in winter, when healthy light is hardest to come by You can find more about the standard End user license agreement here: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

SPF4 screens
Luminous4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: SPF at 4.6 against Luminous's 3.5. SPF also leads on ratings volume (5K vs 2) and chart position (#64 vs unranked). Luminous's advantage is review sentiment (50% vs 32%). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. SPF sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per 7 days and Luminous sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

SPF holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SPF has 5K ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 32% of SPF's written reviews are positive against 50% of Luminous's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SPF ships an update weekly, Luminous every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on October 28, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
SPF versus Luminous: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSPFLuminous
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (5K ratings) — better3.5 (2 ratings)
Positive reviews31.8% of reviews50.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings5K — better2
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 10 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
Best chart rank#64 — better—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS16.6 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size212 MB15 MB
Age rating9+4+
DeveloperBluPalmsTrevor Grady

Customer experience

SPF

All ratings4,998 ratings
Positive88.9%
Neutral5.2%
Negative5.9%
Written reviews157 reviews
Positive31.8%
Neutral9.6%
Negative58.6%

Luminous

All ratings2 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

Bugs and requests

SPF

Reported bugs

1 issue
  • Compatibility issues with older devices

Requested features

2 requests
  • Advanced tanning analytics
  • Customizable tanning plans

Luminous

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

7 purchases

SPF

Subscriptions7
  • SPF: Weekly Offer Plan$0.997 Days
  • Weekly Offer Plan$2.997 Days
  • Weekly Plan$3.997 Days
Show 4 more
  • Weekly Plan3 Days trial$5.997 Days
  • weekly5.99$5.997 Days
  • SPF: Yearly Offer Plan$29.991 Year
  • SPF: Yearly Offer Plan3 Days trial$47.001 Year
3 purchases

Luminous

Subscriptions3
  • Plus Monthly$2.991 Month
  • Luminous Plus Annual$12.991 Year
  • Annual14 Days trial$12.991 Year

Questions

Is SPF free?
SPF is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Luminous free?
Luminous is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, SPF or Luminous?
SPF is rated higher. SPF averages 4.6 out of 5 from 5K ratings, while Luminous averages 3.5 from 2 ratings.
Do SPF or Luminous have ads?
Neither SPF nor Luminous shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SPF or Luminous?
SPF ships an update weekly, and Luminous every 10 days. Most recently, SPF was updated on October 28, 2026 and Luminous on October 24, 2026.

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