Comparison

Ember vs Shapiro Self Check

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

Head to head
About

Ember

This app provides AI-powered coaching to help couples improve communication and connection. It offers tools for analyzing conversations, daily prompts for connection, and research-backed plans for relationship growth. Designed for proactive relationship care.

Highlights
  • AI couples coaching sessions
  • Real-time argument analysis
  • Daily conversation prompts
  • Research-backed relationship plans
  • Text communication analysis
  • Relationship style quiz
Features
Read full description

Ember is a relationship wellness app for couples who want to stay close - not just fix things when they go wrong. Most couples don't fall apart dramatically. They just get busy - and the small moments that kept them close quietly disappear. Ember gives those moments back. A Spark on the couch before bed. A check-in that takes ten minutes and actually covers something real. A question that takes you somewhere you didn't expect. Relationships do better with regular attention. Ember is the tending. ***Meet Em*** Em was created by Ellie Baker, a couples coach and Ember's founder. She's the AI at the heart of the app - sharp, warm, and built on real relationship expertise. She brings a systems-thinking perspective to your relationship, spotting patterns before drift becomes distance. ***Key Features*** Sparks Short prompts you and your partner answer separately, then compare. You don't see their answer until you've done yours. Takes minutes - gets you past the logistics and into something real. Talk to Em Voice or text conversations with Em, available whenever you need her. Talk to her solo to think something through privately - what you share stays between you and her. Or bring her in as a couple when you have something specific to work through together. Em keeps things on track and sends a useful summary at the end. Set up a recurring relationship check-in and Em handles the structure so you actually cover what matters, not just what's top of mind. Plans Guided programs on communication, conflict, and connection. Each chapter pairs short expert content with something to actually do - a conversation with Em, a challenge, or a nudge. Work through them at your own pace. Quizzes Find out something new about yourself and your partner. Start with the Love Animals Quiz - discover your relationship personality type, whether you're the dolphin, the hawk, or one of six others - and understand what drives you both. ***What you’ll get*** - Playful, lighthearted, straightforward practices that take less time than scrolling Instagram. - See your patterns clearly enough to actually change them. - A habit that builds quietly - without it feeling like work. **Subscription Information** Ember offers an auto-renewing 1-month and annual subscription – both of which give you full access to the entire library of content, app features and two hours of talk time with Em per month for as long as you maintain an active subscription. Payment will be charged to your Apple account at the time of initial subscription purchase. Subscriptions automatically renew unless you cancel your subscription at least 24 hours before the current subscription period ends. Your account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period end date. You may cancel your subscription at any time by going to your Account Settings and tapping on “Manage Membership” after the purchase. --- Ember is designed for users 18+. Ember is not therapy, and is not a replacement for any medical diagnostic or treatments. Ember cannot, and does not intend to, provide medical advice or diagnosis. Ember is not designed to be used in crisis. If you are in crisis, please seek out professional help, or a crisis line. You can find resources at www.findahelpline.com. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula Privacy Policy: https://www.embercouples.com/privacy-policy

About

Shapiro Self Check

Features
Read full description

The Shapiro Self Check app allows users of the Shapiro Library at Southern New Hampshire University to check out circulating books from their phone or other mobile device.

Screenshots

Ember4 screens
Shapiro Self Check4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Shapiro Self Check at none against Ember's 15. Shapiro Self Check also leads on ads (none vs shown) and device support (3 vs 1). On price, update cadence and iOS requirement 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. Ember sells 15 in-app purchases, starting at $14.99 per month. Shapiro Self Check asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Ember ships an update weekly, Shapiro Self Check fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Ember versus Shapiro Self Check: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterEmberShapiro Self Check
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (703 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings703 — better—
Update frequencyWeekly — betterFortnightly
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationSubscription—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.415.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size166 MB408 MB
Age rating12+17+
DeveloperEmber Couples LtdMeescan Inc.

Bugs and requests

Ember

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • AI coach sometimes fails to understand context
  • App can feel repetitive and impersonal

Requested features

2 requests
  • Upload feature to share files/images
  • More customization options

Shapiro Self Check

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

15 purchases

Ember

Subscriptions13
  • Monthly$14.991 Month
  • Monthly3 Days trial$14.991 Month
  • Full Access - Monthly$19.991 Month
Show 10 more
  • Monthly3 Days trial$19.991 Month
  • Full Access - Monthly$24.991 Month
  • Full Access - Quarterly$44.993 Months
  • Quarterly3 Days trial$44.993 Months
  • Full Access - Quarterly$54.993 Months
  • Annual$59.991 Year
  • Yearly3 Days trial$59.991 Year
  • Full Access - Yearly$109.991 Year
  • Yearly3 Days trial$154.991 Year
  • Full Access - Yearly$167.991 Year
One-time2
  • 1 Hour of conversation credits$19.99
  • 10 hours of conversation credits$109.99
None

Shapiro Self Check

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Ember free?
Ember is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Shapiro Self Check free?
Shapiro Self Check is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Ember or Shapiro Self Check have ads?
Ember shows ads; Shapiro Self Check does not.
Which is updated more often, Ember or Shapiro Self Check?
Ember ships an update weekly, and Shapiro Self Check fortnightly. Most recently, Ember was updated on September 23, 2026 and Shapiro Self Check on September 22, 2026.

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