Comparison

Beacon vs NestNote

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

Head to head
About

Beacon

Connect with other mothers locally and globally, especially during late-night hours. Track your baby's needs, monitor your mood, and access expert resources for postpartum support. Find a private community to share your experiences and receive encouragement.

Highlights
  • Live map of mothers awake now
  • Private small group matching (Circles)
  • Baby feeding, sleep, and diaper tracking
  • Mood and wellness tracking
  • Postpartum journal
  • Community forum
  • Expert-backed resources
Features
Read full description

Motherhood is beautiful, but at 2AM when you're the only one awake, it can feel impossibly lonely. Beacon shows you that you're not alone and lets you connect with other moms in your neighborhood or across the globe. Open the app and see a live map of mothers who are awake right now, near you. Light your own beacon so another mom knows she's not the only one up. Track your mood, log your baby's feeds, sleep, and diaper changes and connect with a community of women who truly get it. LIGHT YOUR BEACON Share your light anonymously and see thousands of other moms' beacons glowing across the map. Locations are randomized within 10 miles of your true location to keep you safe while helping you feel connected. Knowing other mothers are awake and showing up is a powerful reminder: you are not alone in this. CIRCLES: YOUR SMALL GROUP OF MOMS Get matched into a private Circle of a few moms like you, based on where you are in your motherhood journey. Circles are small on purpose, so it feels like real friendship. BABY TRACKER Log your baby's feedings, sleep, and diaper changes in seconds. See patterns over time and simplify those conversations with your pediatrician or partner. Whether you're breastfeeding, pumping, or formula feeding, Beacon makes tracking effortless. MOOD & WELLNESS TRACKING Log your mood, sleep, energy, and emotions each day. Watch patterns unfold over time and gain real insight into your mental health during postpartum recovery. Use your mood data to start honest conversations with your partner, provider, or therapist. POSTPARTUM JOURNAL Capture your thoughts, milestones, and feelings as you navigate early motherhood. Write when you need to process, celebrate, or simply vent. Your journal is private and always there when you need it. COMMUNITY FORUM Connect with other moms in a private, supportive space. Ask questions, share your story, offer encouragement, or just vent without judgment. No highlight reels — just real mothers supporting each other through the ups and downs. TRUSTED GUIDES & RESOURCES Access expert-backed information written specifically for postpartum life — from healing tips and nutrition guidance to relationship advice, mental health tools, and newborn care essentials. HELPFUL TOOLS & CALCULATORS Simplify your day with breastfeeding and pumping calculators, postpartum exercise guidance, recovery checklists, and daily self-care reminders including mindfulness exercises and gentle movement ideas. SAFE & PRIVATE Your location, data, and personal information are always protected. Beacons appear only as randomized points within 10 miles of your true location. WHY MOMS LOVE BEACON Real, honest, and supportive — not another highlight reel. Beacon helps you see that you're part of something bigger: a network of mothers lighting up the world together. Whether you're a first-time mom navigating sleepless nights, a seasoned parent balancing it all, or someone healing from postpartum anxiety or depression, Beacon is a gentle reminder that your light matters. Download Beacon today. Even in your darkest nights, there are lights shining with you. Subscription Information: Beacon offers optional premium subscriptions with auto-renewable billing: Monthly: $9.99/month Annual: $59.99/year (save 50%) Premium features include detailed mood tracking, baby tracker, AI-powered insights, advanced analytics, community forum access, postpartum journal, and premium guides. Payment will be charged to your iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Your account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. You can manage and cancel your subscriptions by going to your App Store account settings after purchase. Privacy Policy: https://kindred-spirits-beacon.lovable.app/privacy Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

NestNote

Features
Read full description

There are little milestones hiding inside the dates you already love. NestNote finds them. Add the day you got together, your child’s birthday, an anniversary, or any date that matters. NestNote turns those dates into meaningful moments you might never have noticed. Discover how many days, weeks, months and years you’ve shared. See special milestones you’ve already reached and what’s coming next. NestNote helps you: Discover hidden milestones in your relationships and family Count down to anniversaries, birthdays and meaningful dates See how long someone has been part of your life Keep upcoming moments on your Home Screen and Lock Screen Get reminders before important milestones arrive Create beautiful cards to share with someone you love Pip quietly looks through your dates and surfaces the moments worth noticing. Your memories stay private on your iPhone. No account required. One payment. NestNote is yours forever.

Screenshots

Beacon4 screens
NestNote4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: Beacon at 15.6 against NestNote's 17.0. 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Beacon sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days and NestNote sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Beacon versus NestNote: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBeaconNestNote
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (514 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews91.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings514 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 9 days—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.6 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size45 MB12 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperKeagan ScottJohn Halley

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Beacon

Subscriptions3
  • Beacon Premium (Weekly)$4.997 Days
  • Beacon Premium (Monthly)7 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • Beacon Premium (Annual)$44.991 Year
1 purchases

NestNote

One-time1
  • Pro Nest Note$9.99

Questions

Is Beacon free?
Beacon is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is NestNote free?
NestNote is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Beacon or NestNote have ads?
Neither Beacon nor NestNote shows ads.

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