Comparison

XS Tools vs AlwaysOn

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

Head to head
About

XS Tools

Features
Read full description

XS Tools is your ultimate pocket toolkit with 10 essential measurement and utility tools – all in one beautifully designed app. TOOLS INCLUDED: - Compass – Find your direction with a precise digital compass - Level – Check if surfaces are perfectly horizontal or vertical - Flashlight – Powerful torch with adjustable brightness - Decibel Meter – Measure sound levels around you - Barometer – Track atmospheric pressure and altitude - Magnifier – Zoom in on small details with your camera - Metal Detector – Detect metal objects using magnetic sensors - Protractor – Measure angles with precision - Stopwatch – Track time with lap functionality - Tone Generator – Generate audio frequencies for testing Perfect for DIY projects, outdoor activities, and everyday measurements. Simple, elegant, and always in your pocket.

About

AlwaysOn

Transform a plugged-in iPhone into a convenient desk display. View the time, date, calendar, and weather at a glance. Features a sleep mode for nighttime use and custom display hours.

Highlights
  • Large digital clock display
  • Current date and calendar
  • Upcoming calendar events
  • Local weather forecast
  • Customizable display hours
  • Low-brightness sleep mode
  • Burn-in protection
Features
Read full description

Turn your iPhone or iPad into a beautiful desk and nightstand clock. Free, with no ads and no subscriptions. AlwaysOn shows the time, your calendar, weather and more on a screen you leave docked or propped up, and now on your Home Screen and Lock Screen too. WIDGETS FOR YOUR HOME SCREEN • Time Together, Daylight, Word Clock, Card Clock, Tube Clock, Countdown, Green Room, Moon Phase and Horizon • Home Screen, Lock Screen and StandBy • Tap ▶ to watch a whole day go by in seconds CLOCKS AND BACKGROUNDS • Digital clocks in eight styles, including big iPhone-style digits • Clock backgrounds: Lens, Card (split-flap), Tube, Prism, Stone, Shadow and Green Room • Animated and still backgrounds: Earth, Horizon, Moon Phase, Catnap, Soft Flow, Tide and more • Seasonal backgrounds for holidays and festivals MADE FOR NIGHT • Darker nights with a soft amber clock • Day Mode hours, Smart Dimming and burn-in protection • A sunrise alarm that wakes you with light YOUR LAYOUT • Arrange the clock with Calendar, Up Next, Weather, World Clock, Countdown, Photos and Battery • Separate layouts for portrait and landscape, made for both iPhone and iPad PRIVATE BY DESIGN • No account, no tracking, no data collected • Available in English, Spanish and Simplified Chinese AlwaysOn turns a screen you're not using into something calm and useful.

Screenshots

XS Tools4 screens
AlwaysOn4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: AlwaysOn at none against XS Tools's 1. AlwaysOn also leads on ads (none vs shown). XS Tools's advantage is update cadence (every 2 days vs every 4 days). On price, device support and iOS requirement 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. XS Tools sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. AlwaysOn asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

XS Tools ships an update every 2 days, AlwaysOn every 4 days. Both last shipped on October 28, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
XS Tools versus AlwaysOn: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterXS ToolsAlwaysOn
PriceFreeFree
Rating—4.7 (16 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—16 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 days — betterEvery 4 days
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
Monetization—Free
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.617.6
Further details — not scored
Size4 MB48 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSecureZone Kft.Weijin Wang

In-app purchases

1 purchases

XS Tools

One-time1
  • Remove Ads$2.99
None

AlwaysOn

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is XS Tools free?
XS Tools is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is AlwaysOn free?
AlwaysOn is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do XS Tools or AlwaysOn have ads?
XS Tools shows ads; AlwaysOn does not.
Which is updated more often, XS Tools or AlwaysOn?
XS Tools ships an update every 2 days, and AlwaysOn every 4 days. Most recently, XS Tools was updated on October 28, 2026 and AlwaysOn on October 28, 2026.

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