Comparison

BeforePay vs TrueCost

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

Head to head
About

BeforePay

Features
Read full description

BeforePay: Pause. Decide. Pay. Impulse buying isn’t just expensive — it’s stressful. BeforePay helps you pause before spending money, giving you clarity at the exact moment you need it. No budgets. No bank connections. No judgment. This is not a finance app. It is a mental wellness tool designed to help you make calmer, more mindful decisions. How It Works When you feel the urge to buy something, open BeforePay and answer a few simple questions: • Is this a real need or an emotional impulse? • When was the last time you truly needed it? • Will this still matter to you in a few days? Based on your answers, BeforePay gently suggests: • Buy now • Wait 24 hours • Don’t buy You are always in control. The Pause Effect Most impulse purchases lose their power with time. BeforePay includes a 24-hour pause to help reduce emotional spending and give your mind space to decide clearly. See the Real Cost Enter a price and see what it really means: • Hours of work • Meals • Monthly subscriptions A simple change in perspective often changes the decision. Smart Wish List Items you choose not to buy are saved in a smart wish list. Over time, you will see: • What you forgot about • What actually mattered Awareness builds better habits. Designed for Mental Well-Being BeforePay helps reduce stress around spending and supports healthier decision-making habits without pressure or guilt. Privacy First • No accounts • No bank access • No data tracking • All data stays on your device Why BeforePay Because sometimes, all you need is one calm moment before you pay.

About

TrueCost

Features
Read full description

TrueCost helps you make smarter spending decisions by showing the real price of every purchase: your time. Instead of only tracking money, TrueCost converts each expense into life hours based on your income and work rhythm. You instantly see how much of your day, week, and life energy each purchase costs, so you can spend with more clarity and intention. Why people love TrueCost: - Convert prices into life hours in seconds - Build mindful spending habits - Use AI-powered reframes before impulsive buys - Track spending vs. resisted purchases - View clean dashboards and trend insights - Review detailed purchase history - Stay private with local-first data storage How it works: 1. Set your income, working hours, and days 2. Enter a purchase amount 3. See the true cost in time 4. Reflect, resist, or record 5. Improve your habits over time Premium Subscription: Upgrade to remove ads and enjoy a cleaner experience. Benefits include: - Ad-free experience - Unlimited AI reframes - Support ongoing development Designed for clarity, speed, and behavior change, TrueCost helps you pause before spending and align purchases with what matters most. If you want to spend less impulsively, save more intentionally, and make your money choices feel calmer and more conscious, TrueCost is for you. Download TrueCost and start treating your time like the wealth it truly is.

Screenshots

BeforePay4 screens
TrueCost4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: BeforePay at none against TrueCost's 1. BeforePay also leads on ads (none vs shown). TrueCost's advantage is device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.0). On price 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. TrueCost sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $1.99 per year. BeforePay asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard4 real differences · 2 level
BeforePay versus TrueCost: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBeforePayTrueCost
PriceFreeFree
Update frequency—Every 5 days
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS18.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size3 MB37 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperMohammed AlsalehAbdelwahed farabi

In-app purchases

None

BeforePay

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

TrueCost

Subscriptions1
  • Yearly ad-free experience$1.991 Year

Questions

Is BeforePay free?
BeforePay is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is TrueCost free?
TrueCost is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do BeforePay or TrueCost have ads?
TrueCost shows ads; BeforePay does not.

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