# AlwaysOn vs Smart TV Guide

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: AlwaysOn at none against Smart TV Guide's 1. AlwaysOn also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 4 days vs every 9 days). On price, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Smart TV Guide sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. AlwaysOn asks for nothing beyond the download.

AlwaysOn ships an update every 4 days, Smart TV Guide every 9 days. Both last shipped on November 10, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | AlwaysOn | Smart TV Guide |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (26 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/alwayson-standby-clock/id6788246823/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **26** | — |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 4 days** | Every 9 days |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Size | 63 MB | 35 MB |
| Requires iOS | **17.6** | 18.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Weijin Wang](https://appshunter.io/developer/1828966789) | [Theo Vankoekelberg](https://appshunter.io/developer/1873914246) |

## What reviewers say

### AlwaysOn

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/alwayson-standby-clock/id6788246823)

Transform a plugged-in iPhone into a convenient desk display. View the time, date, calendar, and weather at a glance. Features a sleep mode for nighttime use and custom display hours.

**Highlights:** Large digital clock display, Current date and calendar, Upcoming calendar events, Local weather forecast, Customizable display hours, Low-brightness sleep mode, Burn-in protection

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### Smart TV Guide

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smart-tv-guide-program-tv/id6813543904)

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Smart TV Guide Plus | $3.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is AlwaysOn free?

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

### Is Smart TV Guide free?

Smart TV Guide is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do AlwaysOn or Smart TV Guide have ads?

Smart TV Guide shows ads; AlwaysOn does not.

### Which is updated more often, AlwaysOn or Smart TV Guide?

AlwaysOn ships an update every 4 days, and Smart TV Guide every 9 days. Most recently, AlwaysOn was updated on November 10, 2026 and Smart TV Guide on November 10, 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.*