# GrandPad vs Ridwell

The clearest difference is ads: GrandPad at none against Ridwell's shown. GrandPad also leads on monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases) and review sentiment (90% vs 73%). On price, rating, ratings volume and update cadence there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for GrandPad against 4.9 for Ridwell. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 18K and 8.9K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 90% of GrandPad's written reviews are positive against 73% of Ridwell's.

GrandPad ships an update every 3 months, Ridwell every 2 months. Both last shipped on October 23, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | GrandPad | Ridwell |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.9 (18K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/grandpad/id904069946/reviews)** | [4.9 (8.9K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ridwell/id1623854075/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **18K** | 8.9K |
| Positive reviews | **89.8% of reviews** | 73.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 78 MB | 17 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.5 | **17.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [GrandPad Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/904069949) | [Ridwell, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1623854287) |

## What reviewers say

### GrandPad

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/grandpad/id904069946)

This app connects you with your family through photos, video calls, and messages. It allows you to share memories, see updates from your trusted circle, and stay in touch with loved ones. Play games and check the weather in your family's locations.

**Highlights:** Video calling, Photo and video sharing, Commenting on posts, Calling and texting, Turn-based and real-time games, Weather updates, Contact management

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use for elderly users
- 🚀 Keeps elderly users connected to family
- 💡 Helpful features like video calls, photo sharing, and games
- 👍 Excellent customer service
- 🚀 Reliable and consistent performance

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Notification issues with unwanted alerts
- 🐛 Video calling feature not working consistently

**Reported bugs**

- Video calling feature stops working after a period of time
- Compatibility issues with certain devices/operating systems

**Requested features**

- Add group video call functionality
- Improve notification controls


### Ridwell

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ridwell/id1623854075)

Easily dispose of hard-to-recycle items with convenient doorstep pickups. Schedule collections, track your impact, and feel good knowing your items are being reused or recycled by trusted partners.

**Highlights:** Schedule doorstep pickups, Collect hard-to-recycle items, Receive real-time notifications, Track community impact, Transparent item destinations

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 💚 Excellent for the environment
- 🙌 Convenient pickup service
- 🤗 Helpful customer service
- 👍 Easy to use app
- 🎉 Reduces waste

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🚫 Missed pickups
- 🤔 Inconsistent service
- 💰 Overcharging for extras
- 🏢 Inaccessible for apartment buildings
- 🤷‍♀️ Unclear communication

**Reported bugs**

- Incorrect pickup status notifications
- Drivers unable to access buildings

**Requested features**

- Advance scheduling for pickups
- More recycling categories
- Proactive notifications for missed pickups


## Frequently asked questions

### Is GrandPad free?

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

### Is Ridwell free?

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

### Which has better reviews, GrandPad or Ridwell?

GrandPad is rated higher. GrandPad averages 4.9 out of 5 from 18K ratings, while Ridwell averages 4.9 from 8.9K ratings.

### Do GrandPad or Ridwell have ads?

Ridwell shows ads; GrandPad does not.

### Which is updated more often, GrandPad or Ridwell?

GrandPad ships an update every 3 months, and Ridwell every 2 months. Most recently, GrandPad was updated on October 23, 2026 and Ridwell on October 23, 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.*