Comparison

Compulsion vs Patterns

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

Head to head
About

Compulsion

This app provides tools for managing OCD symptoms through evidence-based techniques like ERP and CBT. It helps users track compulsions, engage in guided exposures, and practice mindfulness to build resilience.

Highlights
  • Compulsion tracking
  • AI-powered exposures
  • Guided exposure therapy
  • Mindfulness exercises
  • Progress insights and metrics
Features
Read full description

Compulsion is your daily companion for managing OCD symptoms using evidence-based tools like ERP (Exposure & Response Prevention) and CBT techniques. Track anxiety, resist compulsions, and build resilience with guided exposure exercises. Key Features: - Compulsion Tracking – Manage your compulsions by logging intrusive thoughts, exposure tasks, anxiety, and more. - AI-Powered Exposures - Generate exposures using AI that are tailored towards you as an individual. - Guided Exposures – Step-by-step exposure therapy feature to assist you conquer your intrusive thoughts. - Practice Mindfulness – Find your peace with calming meditation & grounding exercises. - Progress Insights – Visualize your progress by watching your anxiety reduce over time with charts and metrics. Disclaimer: This app is not a substitute for professional medical advice. License Agreement: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Patterns

A private journaling app designed to help users understand and track their obsessive-compulsive patterns. Record thoughts, log obsessions and compulsions, and visualize trends over time in a secure, local-first environment.

Highlights
  • Daily journaling
  • OCD tracking (obsessions, compulsions, responses)
  • Distress trend insights
  • Private, local-first storage
  • App lock (Face ID, Touch ID, passcode)
  • Exportable PDF reports
  • JSON backup and import
Read full description

Patterns is a private OCD journal and self-help practice companion. Record intrusive thoughts and compulsions, write journal entries, delay an urge, and practise exposure and response prevention (ERP). Calm Insights can replace calculated scores and streaks with factual activity counts. Personal content stays on your device unless you choose to export an unencrypted JSON backup or PDF. Optional anonymous usage analytics are off by default and never include OCD content, summaries, locale, or language choice. Patterns does not diagnose or treat OCD and is not a replacement for qualified care or emergency support.

Screenshots

Compulsion4 screens
Patterns4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Compulsion at 5.0 against Patterns's 4.6. Patterns's advantage is monetization model (free vs freemium). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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. Compulsion sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $5.99 per month and Patterns sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Compulsion holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 5 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Compulsion ships an update weekly, Patterns every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 7 level
Compulsion versus Patterns: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCompulsionPatterns
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better4.6 (5 ratings)
Number of ratings25 — better
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 8 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPod, Mac
Requires iOS15.015.0
Further details — not scored
Size99 MB45 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperChase BenedictAftaab Siddiqui

Customer experience

Compulsion

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Patterns

All ratings5 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Compulsion

Subscriptions1
  • English1 Month trial$5.991 Month
4 purchases

Patterns

One-time4
  • Small tip$1.99
  • Medium tip$4.99
  • Large tip$9.99
Show 1 more
  • Patterns Pro$19.99

Questions

Is Compulsion free?
Compulsion is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Patterns free?
Patterns is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Compulsion or Patterns?
Compulsion is rated higher. Compulsion averages 5.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while Patterns averages 4.6 from 5 ratings.
Do Compulsion or Patterns have ads?
Neither Compulsion nor Patterns shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Compulsion or Patterns?
Compulsion ships an update weekly, and Patterns every 8 days. Most recently, Compulsion was updated on October 20, 2026 and Patterns on October 25, 2026.

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