Comparison

Grain Social vs Aerune

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

Head to head
About

Grain Social

This photo-first social networking app allows users to share galleries of images with titles, descriptions, and locations, as well as ephemeral 24-hour stories. It offers multiple feed options including following, curated content, camera type, and location-based browsing. Sign-in is integrated with a Bluesky account.

Highlights
  • Post image galleries with titles and descriptions
  • Share 24-hour ephemeral stories
  • Browse feeds by following, curated, camera, or location
  • Add alt text to photos
  • Integrates with Bluesky accounts
  • Supports @mentions, #hashtags, and links
Features
Read full description

Grain is a photo-first social app. Post galleries, share 24-hour stories, and browse feeds by following, For You, camera, or location. Galleries One photo or a full set. Each gallery has a title, description, and location. Add alt text on individual photos. EXIF is read from the file and kept intact. Stories Share something in the moment. Stories disappear after 24 hours. Favorite and comment the same as on galleries. Feeds Pin the ones you want: following, For You, by camera body, or by location with a map. Mentions, hashtags, links @mention people, add #hashtags, paste links. All tappable. Sign in with your Bluesky account No new password. Your Bluesky handle and followers come with you. People who follow you on Bluesky can find you on Grain, and the people you already follow are here too. Don't have a Bluesky account? Make one at bsky.app, then sign in.

About

Aerune

A fast, lightweight client for the AT Protocol, designed exclusively for iOS and iPadOS. It offers a refined native experience with smooth performance, fluid transitions, and a clean interface optimized for larger screens and power users. Includes built-in moderation tools for a safer timeline.

Highlights
  • Native UI for Apple platforms
  • Optimized for iPad Split View
  • Seamless multi-account switching
  • Timestamp toggle
  • Built-in moderation tools
  • Multilingual support
Features
Read full description

Aerune is a fast, lightweight Bluesky (AT Protocol) client built exclusively for iOS and iPadOS. Designed with SwiftUI from the ground up, Aerune delivers a refined native experience with smooth scrolling, fluid transitions, and a clean interface focused on usability. [Key Features] • True Native UI Built specifically for Apple platforms, ensuring smooth performance and an interface that feels natural and responsive. • Fully Optimized for iPad Take full advantage of larger screens with a dynamic Split View layout that adapts to different sizes and orientations. • Designed for Power Users • Seamless multi-account switching • Absolute / relative timestamp toggle • Built-in Moderation Support for muting, blocking, and reporting to maintain a safe and comfortable timeline. • Multilingual Support Fully available in both languages. Upgrade your Bluesky experience with Aerune.

Screenshots

Grain Social4 screens
Aerune4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Grain Social at 50% against Aerune's 0%. Aerune's advantage is update cadence (every 4 days vs every 2 weeks) and iOS requirement (17.6 vs 26.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Grain Social ships an update every 2 weeks, Aerune every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on November 8, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Grain Social versus Aerune: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGrain SocialAerune
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.8 (4 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings4 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS26.017.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size18 MB7 MB
Age rating17+17+
DeveloperChad MillerMITSUKI HAMADA

Customer experience

Grain Social

All ratings4 ratings
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

Aerune

Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

In-app purchases

None

Grain Social

No in-app purchases

None

Aerune

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Grain Social free?
Grain Social is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Aerune free?
Aerune is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Grain Social or Aerune have ads?
Neither Grain Social nor Aerune shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Grain Social or Aerune?
Grain Social ships an update every 2 weeks, and Aerune every 4 days. Most recently, Grain Social was updated on November 8, 2026 and Aerune on November 5, 2026.

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