# Arete vs SpeechMaxx

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Arete at none against SpeechMaxx's 2. Arete also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs every 2 months) and iOS requirement (16.4 vs 18.0). On price, rating, ratings volume and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. SpeechMaxx sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. Arete asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Arete against 5.0 for SpeechMaxx. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 2 respectively.

Arete ships an update every 4 days, SpeechMaxx every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 29, 2026 and September 30, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Arete | SpeechMaxx |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/arete-know-thyself/id6762371595/reviews) | [5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/speechmaxx/id6762529876/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 2 | 2 |
| Positive reviews | — | 100.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 4 days** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | **Free** | Freemium |
| Size | 54 MB | 42 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.4** | 18.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Kyle Emery](https://appshunter.io/developer/1893964408) | [Aleksander Lucenko](https://appshunter.io/developer/1824019071) |

## What reviewers say

### Arete

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/arete-know-thyself/id6762371595)

This AI-powered personal development app uses Stoic philosophy to guide self-improvement. Interact with historical figures as your personal counselors to challenge your thinking, build disciplines, and hold yourself accountable to your ideal self.

**Highlights:** AI-powered personal development, Cabinet of 23 historical counselors, Customizable daily routines, Discipline streak tracking, Personalized essays, Focus timer and deep work tracker, Journaling and goal setting

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### SpeechMaxx

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/speechmaxx/id6762529876)

This AI-powered coach provides real-time feedback on your voice, helping you articulate better and communicate with confidence. Practice various real-world scenarios, engage in daily speaking drills, and improve your vocabulary for impactful conversations.

**Highlights:** Live AI voice coaching, Real-world scenario practice, Daily speaking drills, Vocabulary training, SkillScore and analytics, Pitch simulator, Gamified learning with XP

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Subscription | $6.99 | per month |
| Annual Subscription | $39.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Arete free?

Arete is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is SpeechMaxx free?

SpeechMaxx is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Arete or SpeechMaxx?

Arete and SpeechMaxx are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 2 and 2 ratings respectively.

### Do Arete or SpeechMaxx have ads?

Neither Arete nor SpeechMaxx shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Arete or SpeechMaxx?

Arete ships an update every 4 days, and SpeechMaxx every 2 months. Most recently, Arete was updated on September 29, 2026 and SpeechMaxx on September 30, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*