Comparison

ShouldISunscreen vs UV Timer

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

Head to head
About

ShouldISunscreen

Features
Read full description

ShouldISunscreen gives you a simple, honest answer: should you wear sunscreen right now? Using real-time UV index data and your skin tone, the app calculates personalized burn times and sunscreen recommendations specific to you. Because someone with very fair skin needs protection at UV 2, while someone with darker skin may not need it until UV 6 or 7. FEATURES - Real-time UV index for your current location - Personalized sunscreen recommendations based on Fitzpatrick skin type - Estimated burn time without sunscreen - Clear sky peak UV forecast so you can plan your day - Home screen widget showing current UV and sunscreen advice - Live location search to check UV anywhere - Set a default city for when location access is off PRIVACY FIRST Your location is rounded to ~10 km before any network request leaves your device. There are no analytics, no tracking, no cookies, and no ads. UV data comes from Open-Meteo, an open-source weather API. FREE AND OPEN No subscriptions. No in-app purchases. No API keys. Just a useful app that answers a simple question.

About

UV Timer

Features
Read full description

UV Timer: Your Smart Sun Protection Companion UV Timer is now fully redesigned for iOS, faster, smoother, and built from the ground up to keep you sun-safe wherever you go. Real-time UV monitoring, intelligent sunscreen reminders, and comprehensive guidance, all in a beautiful native app. Accurate • Real-time UV index • Evidence-based SPF recommendations tailored to your skin type • Altitude-adjusted calculations for mountain and outdoor activities • Visible cloud cover and weather condition analysis Intelligent Timer System • Personalized sunscreen reapplication reminders • Smart timer adapts to UV intensity, skin sensitivity, and altitude • Background timer continues even when the app is closed • Haptic feedback and notification alerts Multi-Location Tracking • GPS-based UV monitoring for your exact location • Save your favorite cities and swipe between them on the home screen • Free tier includes 3 saved locations, add more anytime with in-app location packs • Real-time temperature, wind, humidity, and precipitation • Sunrise and sunset times for every saved location Severe Weather Alerts • Get notified the moment severe weather warnings are issued by official agencies • Tap the bell on the home screen to see active alerts in detail Personalized Protection • Skin type classifications for precise recommendations • Dynamic SPF suggestions based on current conditions • Practical sun safety tips and product guidance • Educational content Comprehensive Data • 24-hour UV forecast with hourly predictions • Interactive UV charts with current-hour indicators • Sunshine duration and visible cloud coverage • Temperature and weather condition monitoring • Sun path chart: Follow the sun's elevation at any hour of the day • Rain chart: Hourly precipitation 10 Languages • Available in English, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Greek, Japanese, and Korean • Switch language instantly inside the app • Localized weather, location names, and time formats Privacy Focused • No accounts, no sign-in, no tracking • No analytics, no ads • Location used only to fetch weather, never linked to your identity • Preferences stored locally on your device Perfect For • Beach and outdoor activities • Mountain hiking and skiing • Daily sun protection routine • Travel planning across multiple cities • Professional outdoor work • Family sun safety Your skin health matters. Let UV Timer be your trusted companion for sun safety.

Screenshots

ShouldISunscreen3 screens
UV Timer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: ShouldISunscreen at none against UV Timer's 3. ShouldISunscreen also leads on iOS requirement (16.0 vs 26.0). On price, update cadence, ads 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. UV Timer sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. ShouldISunscreen asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ShouldISunscreen ships an update every 5 days, UV Timer every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 4 level
ShouldISunscreen versus UV Timer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterShouldISunscreenUV Timer
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 5 daysEvery 3 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, Apple Watch
Requires iOS16.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size1 MB10 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAaron BergmanShyam Steenhaut

In-app purchases

None

ShouldISunscreen

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

UV Timer

One-time3
  • 1 Location Pack$0.99
  • 5 Locations Pack$3.99
  • 10 Locations Pack$4.99

Questions

Is ShouldISunscreen free?
ShouldISunscreen is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is UV Timer free?
UV Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do ShouldISunscreen or UV Timer have ads?
Neither ShouldISunscreen nor UV Timer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ShouldISunscreen or UV Timer?
ShouldISunscreen ships an update every 5 days, and UV Timer every 3 days. Most recently, ShouldISunscreen was updated on October 1, 2026 and UV Timer on September 24, 2026.

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