TrackerScan vs Before You Update
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
TrackerScan
Actively search for and locate hidden Bluetooth trackers that your phone might not automatically detect. Get approximate distance information and play sounds on some trackers to help pinpoint their location, enhancing your privacy.
- Detects various Bluetooth trackers
- Provides approximate distance to trackers
- Plays sound on supported trackers
- Extends privacy protection beyond native warnings
- Keeps all data on device
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TrackerScan helps you detect small location trackers that can be used to monitor your movements. Although your iPhone automatically warns about AirTags, there is no comparable protection for trackers like Samsung SmartTags, Tile trackers, Chipolo trackers, Pebblebee trackers, and many others. That’s where TrackerScan comes in – extending your privacy protection. With TrackerScan, you can actively search for any trackers nearby. The app assists you in locating the tracker by displaying the approximate distance. For some supported devices, like AirTags and Google trackers, a sound can also be played to help locate them. The app uses your iPhone’s Bluetooth functionality to detect the most common location trackers. Your scan history and recorded locations remain on your device. The app supports most common Bluetooth trackers, including: Apple AirTag, Apple Find My trackers, Tile trackers, Samsung SmartTag, Solum SmartTag, Samsung SmartThings Find devices, Chipolo trackers, Pebblebee trackers, and Google Find Hub trackers. Please note that GPS trackers cannot be detected. Note: AirTag, Find My, and iOS are trademarks of Apple Inc. This app is not affiliated with Apple Inc. or Alphabet Inc. Samsung SmartTag is a trademark of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. This application is governed by Apple’s standard Licensed Application End User License Agreement (EULA), available at https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Before You Update
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Before you tap Update, know what changed and why it matters. Before You Update follows the apps you depend on and shows calm, source-attributed evidence before you install the next version, so you can decide to update now, wait, or look at alternatives. Every claim in the app is sourced, timestamped, and tied to a specific storefront. No speculation, no fear language, just evidence you can check yourself. Build a watchlist of the apps you actually rely on. Search the App Store catalog, start from commonly watched apps, or share any App Store page straight into the app to add it in seconds. Each version gets a risk card verdict: Low concern, Review first, or High concern. Every verdict is explained across eight categories including billing, reliability, removed features, and privacy, so you see the reasoning, not just a label. Compare recent review sentiment against lifetime ratings, with sample size, date range, and storefront shown alongside. A dip in recent sentiment is easy to miss on the App Store itself. Here it is surfaced clearly. Browse the version timeline to see release notes next to real complaint themes, with newly introduced complaints highlighted so regressions do not slip by unnoticed. Need to choose between two or three apps you already watch? Compare them side by side on the same source-backed dimensions. Before You Update is local-first. There are no accounts and no tracking. Export or delete your data at any time. The free tier lets you watch 3 apps and pull one full risk report per month, no strings attached. Plus adds instant alerts, a high-signal weekly digest, and a bigger watchlist. Pro adds full history and cross-region comparison for people managing more critical apps. If you have ever been surprised by a redesign, a new subscription tier, a removed feature, or a privacy change, this is the calm check to run before you tap Update. https://1lthr26m4a1ecq5507svx-web.rork.live/terms https://1lthr26m4a1ecq5507svx-web.rork.live/privacy
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is iOS requirement: TrackerScan at 16.6 against Before You Update's 18.0. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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
Both are free to download. TrackerScan sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and Before You Update sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
| Parameter | TrackerScan | Before You Update |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (172 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 172 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | — |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Freemium | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 16.6 — better | 18.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 29 MB | 21 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Leon Boettger | 3rd Prints LLC (Company/Organization) |
In-app purchases
TrackerScan
- TrackerScan+ Monthly$4.991 Month
- TrackerScan+ Yearly3 Days trial$17.991 Year
- TrackerScan+ Lifetime$29.99
Before You Update
- Plus$4.991 Month
- Plus (Annual)$29.991 Year
- Pro (Annual)$59.991 Year
- Founder Lifetime$79.99
Questions
Is TrackerScan free?
Is Before You Update free?
Do TrackerScan or Before You Update have ads?
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