Comparison

BrainPet vs Shadow Work

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

Head to head
About

BrainPet

Features
Read full description

BrainPet is a Screen Time coach that helps you understand why you open distracting apps and build better phone habits one moment at a time. Instead of simply blocking apps, BrainPet helps you create guard rules, record why you need extra time, and spot the patterns behind repeated app opens. Your BrainPet reflects your daily focus rhythm, making it easier to notice when your attention is drifting and choose a better next step. Use BrainPet to: - Create app and website guard rules with Apple Screen Time - Set schedules for bedtime, work, study, mornings, and weekends - Pause before opening distracting apps - Choose a reason when you need extra time - Review daily pattern insights about weak moments, repeated reasons, and problem apps - Track your BrainPet’s recovery as you protect your attention BrainPet is designed for people who do not want to delete apps, but still want more control over when and why they use them. PRIVATE BY DESIGN BrainPet uses Apple’s Screen Time API for app selection, shielding, and local usage reports. Screen Time data is processed on your device. We do not sell your data or use your private usage history for advertising. The core features of this app are available through a Pro Subscription. Terms of Service: https://buly.kr/AF2G3Mw Privacy Policy: https://buly.kr/8IxvGOA

About

Shadow Work

Features
Read full description

Shadow work is the practice of turning toward the parts of yourself you usually push away. The fear, the anger, the old hurt, the patterns you repeat without meaning to. Umbra gives you a quiet, private place to do that work at your own pace. This is a journal built for one thing: honest self-reflection, guided gently. WHAT YOU GET A library of prompts, grouped by theme. Meeting your shadow, childhood, relationships, self-worth, anger, fear, and projection. Each prompt is open and non-judgmental. It invites you to look, not to fix. A prompt each day. Open the app and there is one thoughtful question waiting. No scrolling, no noise. Just a place to start. A clean writing screen. Plain text, soft type, and autosave so you never lose a word. Nothing between you and the page. Your history, kept gently. A simple record of what you have written and the days you showed up. A light streak and a quiet calendar reflect your effort back to you, calmly. A missed day just starts the count again, with no penalty and no pressure. An optional daily reminder. Set a time that fits your routine, or leave it off. Your choice. PRIVATE BY DESIGN Your entries never leave your phone. There is no account, no login, and no cloud. The app works fully offline. We do not have a server that could read your writing, because there is no server. What you write here is yours alone. A CALM PLACE TO THINK Shadow work can bring up heavy feelings. Umbra is built to hold that gently. Move slowly. Skip a prompt that feels like too much. Come back when you are ready. There is no streak to protect and nothing to lose by taking your time. The app is also a fine general guided journal if you are not here for shadow work specifically. The prompts open doors, wherever you want to walk through them. A NOTE ON CARE Umbra is a tool for self-reflection. It is not therapy and it is not a substitute for professional support. If you are struggling, please reach out to a qualified professional or a trusted person in your life. SUBSCRIPTION Umbra is free to download and comes with a free trial. After the trial, a subscription keeps the full library and all features unlocked. You can choose a weekly or yearly plan. Price, trial length, and renewal terms are shown clearly before you subscribe, and you can cancel anytime in your App Store settings. Payment is charged to your Apple ID, and a subscription renews automatically unless you turn off auto-renew at least 24 hours before the period ends. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy links are available on the subscription screen and below. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://dev16nath.github.io/umbra-legal/

Screenshots

BrainPet4 screens
Shadow Work4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Shadow Work at every 3 days against BrainPet's every 10 days. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price Β· Rating Β· Positive reviews Β· Number of ratings Β· Update frequency Β· Ads Β· In-app purchases Β· Monetization Β· Best chart rank Β· Devices Β· Requires iOS

CostPrice Β· In-app purchases Β· Ads Β· Monetization

Both are free to download. BrainPet sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month and Shadow Work sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

BrainPet ships an update every 10 days, Shadow Work every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference Β· 5 level
BrainPet versus Shadow Work: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBrainPetShadow Work
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 10 daysEvery 3 days β€” better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS17.017.0
Further details β€” not scored
Size40 MB21 MB
Age rating4+9+
DeveloperMinsik ChaeDevanuj Nath

In-app purchases

4 purchases

BrainPet

Subscriptions4
  • BrainPet 1 Month Pro$6.991 Month
  • BrainPet 1 Year Pro Downsell$19.991 Year
  • BrainPet 1 Year Pro Trial3 Days trial$29.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • BrainPet 1 Year Pro7 Days trial$29.991 Year
2 purchases

Shadow Work

Subscriptions2
  • Weekly7 Days trial$4.997 Days
  • Yearly$39.991 Year

Questions

Is BrainPet free?
BrainPet is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Shadow Work free?
Shadow Work is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do BrainPet or Shadow Work have ads?
Neither BrainPet nor Shadow Work shows ads.
Which is updated more often, BrainPet or Shadow Work?
BrainPet ships an update every 10 days, and Shadow Work every 3 days. Most recently, BrainPet was updated on October 25, 2026 and Shadow Work on October 24, 2026.

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