Comparison

Lighthouse vs Sheaf

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

Head to head
About

Lighthouse

This app provides a secure, encrypted space for individuals with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) or Other Specified Dissociative Disorder (OSDD) to manage their internal system. It allows for tracking of alters, journaling, internal communication, mood logging, and medication management, all stored privately on the user's device.

Highlights
  • System and alter roster management
  • Journaling with tagging
  • Internal communication board
  • Mood tracking and pattern analysis
  • Calendar and reminders
  • Medication tracking
  • Customizable themes per alter
Features
Read full description

Lighthouse is a private, encrypted home base for DID and OSDD systems — a calm place to keep track of who's who, stay connected internally, and handle daily life together. Everything lives on your device and in your own iCloud. No account to create, no tracking, and nothing sent to us — your inner world stays yours. WHAT YOU CAN DO • System & alters — keep a roster with roles, pronouns, colors, and notes, and see your system at a glance. • Journal — write or sketch entries and tag who's fronting, then look back over time. • Internal communication — leave notes on a shared board so the whole system stays in the loop. • Mood tracking — log how you're feeling and notice patterns. • Calendar & reminders — plan events and keep track of what matters. • Medications — track meds, doses, and schedules with gentle reminders. • Make it yours — give each alter their own theme so the whole app reflects who's currently fronting. • Private sharing (optional) — securely share selected updates with a trusted friend through your own iCloud. PRIVACY FIRST Your data is encrypted on your device, backups are protected with a passphrase you choose, and no data is collected by the developer. Lighthouse is built to be a safe, quiet space. Lighthouse is a supportive organizational tool — not a medical device or a substitute for professional care. If you're in crisis, please reach out to a qualified professional or your local emergency services. Made with care. Feedback is always welcome from inside the app.

About

Sheaf

This app helps plural systems track members, manage switches, and keep journals. It offers cross-platform support and prioritizes user privacy with an open-source, self-hostable option.

Highlights
  • Track system members and front changes
  • Write member and system journals
  • Manage member groups
  • Send front change notifications
  • Cross-platform support (mobile, web, wearable)
  • Open-source and self-hostable
Features
Read full description

Sheaf is a plurality tracker for plural systems. Create member profiles, track switches, keep journals, send notifications of front changes to others, and more. Built by plural systems, for plural systems. Inclusive of all plural experiences regardless of origin or framing - no required diagnosis, no gatekeeping, no assumptions about how your system "should" work. Designed to be privacy-first and keep the user in control. Sheaf also includes Apple Watch support with a flexible set of complications and widgets that allows you to see your front status at a glance, register switches, and view history all without ever pulling out your phone. Sheaf exists because Simply Plural is shutting down, and the plural community needs somewhere that won't quietly disappear. Sheaf is open source under AGPL: the code is public, the project can be forked, and you can self-host your own instance if you'd rather keep your data on your own infrastructure. Sheaf can import your existing system data from Simply Plural, with support for more tools coming soon. What you can do: - Track system members and front changes - Write member- and system-wide journals - Manage member groups - Send notifications of front changes - Use the hosted service or run your own - Cross-platform: Mobile, wearable, and web clients We're rolling out in stages. Sensitive community data deserves slow-and-correct over fast-and-sorry, so the hosted service is moving carefully through preview before a full public launch.

Screenshots

Lighthouse4 screens
Sheaf4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Sheaf at 100% against Lighthouse's 50%. Sheaf also leads on rating (4.5 vs 3.6) and in-app purchases (none vs 8). On price, ratings volume, 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. Lighthouse sells 8 one-off in-app purchases. Sheaf asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Sheaf holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 5 and 4 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 50% of Lighthouse's written reviews are positive against 100% of Sheaf's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Lighthouse ships an update every 6 weeks, Sheaf every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Lighthouse versus Sheaf: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLighthouseSheaf
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.6 (5 ratings)4.5 (4 ratings) — better
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings5 — better4
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS18.017.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size21 MB23 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJoshua ReidLupine Systems

Customer experience

Lighthouse

All ratings5 ratings
Positive60.0%
Neutral20.0%
Negative20.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral25.0%
Negative25.0%

Sheaf

All ratings4 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

8 purchases

Lighthouse

One-time8
  • Light Support$0.99
  • Small Tip$0.99
  • Warm Support$2.99
Show 5 more
  • Medium Tip$2.99
  • Bright Support$4.99
  • Large Tip$4.99
  • Extra Generous$9.99
  • Extra Generous Tip$9.99
None

Sheaf

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Lighthouse free?
Lighthouse is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Sheaf free?
Sheaf is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Lighthouse or Sheaf?
Sheaf is rated higher. Lighthouse averages 3.6 out of 5 from 5 ratings, while Sheaf averages 4.5 from 4 ratings.
Do Lighthouse or Sheaf have ads?
Neither Lighthouse nor Sheaf shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Lighthouse or Sheaf?
Lighthouse ships an update every 6 weeks, and Sheaf every 2 weeks. Most recently, Lighthouse was updated on October 14, 2026 and Sheaf on October 15, 2026.

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