Comparison

Away Message vs Sticky

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

Head to head
About

Away Message

Share your current activity or availability with friends through temporary digital notes. Add locations, photos, or music to your updates, which automatically disappear after a set time. Connect privately with a unique code to keep your circle informed.

Highlights
  • Expiring status updates (30 min - 24 hours)
  • Customizable themes, fonts, and layouts
  • Location, photo, and music sharing
  • Private connections via shareable codes
  • Scrapbook-style note design
  • Emoji reactions on status cards
Read full description

Away Message is a status app that lets you tell friends where you are, what you’re doing, or when you’ll be back. It’s meant for quick, low-effort updates that keep people in the loop without turning into full conversations. If you’re stepping out for coffee, going out for the night, or focusing on work, you can post a short note so your friends have context. You can attach a location, a photo, or a song you’re listening to. There are no likes, comments, or feeds to manage. The point is simply to share what’s going on. Each status lasts from 30 minutes to 24 hours and then disappears. You can change the look of your updates with different fonts, colors, themes, and layouts. You can also add photos, drop a pin, or share music from Apple Music. Friends can drop an emoji on your status cards. People connect through simple 6-character codes. You approve who joins your circle and control who can see your updates. Features: • Statuses that expire after 30 minutes to 24 hours • Custom fonts, colors, themes, and layouts • Photos, locations, and Apple Music sharing • Scrapbook-style design for your notes • Private connections using shareable codes • No ads or algorithmic feeds Away Message is for friends, coworkers, and small groups who want to stay aware of each other’s day without constantly messaging. You leave a note, and people see it when they check. Sometimes a quick “brb” really is all that’s needed.

About

Sticky

Features
Read full description

A shared sticky note widget for couples and close friends. Sticky is a minimalist shared widget app for couples, best friends, and close connections. Write a note, draw a doodle, or send a tiny message — and it appears directly on their home screen widget. No chat feeds. No endless notifications. Just one tiny space for thoughtful moments. HOW IT WORKS • Pair with one person • Write or draw a note • Tap Stick • Your note instantly updates on their widget FEATURES • Shared home screen widget • Handwritten notes and doodles • Instant widget sync • Quick reactions • Minimal design • Private 1-on-1 connection WHY STICKY Most apps are noisy. Sticky is intentionally quiet. It feels like leaving a sticky note on someone’s desk — but digital. Perfect for: • Couples • Best friends • Long-distance relationships • Small daily moments

Screenshots

Away Message4 screens
Sticky4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Sticky at daily against Away Message's every 8 days. Sticky also leads on iOS requirement (15.0 vs 26.0). 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Away Message ships an update every 8 days, Sticky daily. The most recent releases landed on November 5, 2026 and November 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Away Message versus Sticky: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAway MessageSticky
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (6 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings6 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 8 daysDaily — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, MaciPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS26.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size43 MB58 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperColin WeirThang Bui Manh

In-app purchases

None

Away Message

No in-app purchases

None

Sticky

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Away Message free?
Away Message is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Sticky free?
Sticky is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Away Message or Sticky have ads?
Neither Away Message nor Sticky shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Away Message or Sticky?
Away Message ships an update every 8 days, and Sticky daily. Most recently, Away Message was updated on November 5, 2026 and Sticky on November 9, 2026.

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