Comparison

Yahrtzeit vs Shamash

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

Head to head
About

Yahrtzeit

This app helps you track important memorial dates with accurate Hebrew date conversion and a clear upcoming timeline. It includes notes, photos, and prayer texts, with premium features for advanced reminders and calendar sync.

Highlights
  • Hebrew date conversion
  • Upcoming timeline view
  • Add names, notes, and photos
  • Prayer reader with Hebrew/English
  • Advance reminders
  • Calendar sync
  • Widgets and Siri integration
Features
Read full description

Yahrtzeit keeps memorial dates clear, organized, and easy to act on. Track every yahrtzeit with accurate Hebrew date conversion, after-sunset day handling, and a clean upcoming view that shows what is today, what is next, and what is coming soon. Add names, notes, photos, and memorial details in seconds. When it is time to pray, everything is ready. Open Kaddish Al Yisrael, Hashkavah, Patach Eliyahu, Rabbi Chananya, Amar Ribi Aba, and a graveside reflection in a focused reader with Hebrew and English options, flexible layouts, and comfortable typography. Practical by design: • Smart upcoming timeline • Fast search, filters, and sorting • Notes, photos, and memorial details • Clean prayer reader • Hebrew and English date support Lifetime Premium features: • Advance reminders and alerts • Calendar sync (Apple Calendar) • Home Screen and Lock Screen widgets • Siri and Shortcuts, Automations • Burial map previews and navigation • Custom naming, app icons, and appearance controls Built to help you remember, prepare, and stay on top of every yahrzeit with confidence. Download Yahrtzeit today.

About

Shamash

Features
Read full description

Shamash is a calm, source-aware companion for daily Jewish learning. Choose a two-, five-, or fifteen-minute practice, read bundled public-domain Torah text, save bookmarks and flashcards, and return to your progress without needing an account. Optional sign-in lets supported study data follow you across devices. Stay connected throughout the day with iPhone and iPad, Apple Watch, widgets and complications, Live Activities, notifications, and App Intents. Location-based zmanim are calculated on your device when you grant permission; coordinates are not sent to us. Shamash Pro adds the clearly listed benefits shown in the app. Monthly and yearly plans renew automatically; the yearly plan offers an introductory seven-day free trial to eligible new subscribers. You can restore purchases or manage your subscription at any time. Shamash is an educational study companion, not a halachic authority. Observance times vary by community and custom; consult your rabbi or qualified teacher when a ruling matters. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Yahrtzeit4 screens
Shamash3 screens

Verdict

The call

Yahrtzeit and Shamash are too close to call on the numbers: across 5 compared parameters — price, ads, in-app purchases and device support among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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. Yahrtzeit sells 2 one-off in-app purchases and Shamash sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
Yahrtzeit versus Shamash: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterYahrtzeitShamash
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 days—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS18.618.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size14 MB86 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperAdam NiyazovJoseph Towbin

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Yahrtzeit

One-time2
  • Premium Lifetime$4.99
  • Premium Family Lifetime$6.99
2 purchases

Shamash

Subscriptions2
  • Shamash Pro Monthly$6.991 Month
  • Shamash Pro Yearly7 Days trial$39.991 Year

Questions

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

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