# WidgetCal vs DateSmith

The clearest difference is review sentiment: DateSmith at 100% against WidgetCal's 47%. DateSmith also leads on rating (5.0 vs 3.6) and ads (none vs shown). WidgetCal's advantage is update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 9 months) and ratings volume (1.5K vs 2). On price, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. WidgetCal sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per year and DateSmith sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

DateSmith holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: WidgetCal has 1.5K ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 47% of WidgetCal's written reviews are positive against 100% of DateSmith's.

WidgetCal ships an update every 2 weeks, DateSmith every 9 months. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | WidgetCal | DateSmith |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.6 (1.5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/widgetcal-calendar-widget/id919048459/reviews) | **[5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/datesmith-date-widgets/id6746695656/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **1.5K** | 2 |
| Positive reviews | 47.4% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 weeks** | Every 9 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 52 MB | 8 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.6** | 18.2 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [YunaSoft Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/453184622) | [Benjamin Staab](https://appshunter.io/developer/1680743368) |

## What reviewers say

### WidgetCal

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/widgetcal-calendar-widget/id919048459)

View your weekly or monthly schedule directly on your Lock Screen without unlocking your device. This app displays events and reminders with customizable layouts, offering quick access to your personal occasions. It also integrates with other powerful calendar applications.

**Highlights:** Lock screen widget support, Weekly and monthly schedule views, Event and reminder display, Integration with AwesomeCalendar, Customizable font and size, ToDo carry over, Lunar calendar support

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

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium Subscription | $9.99 | per year |
| Religious holidays | $0.99 | one-time |
| Week Numbers | $0.99 | one-time |
| Moon Phases calendar | $0.99 | one-time |
| Holidays United States | $0.99 | one-time |
| Calendars - Pro Football USA 2014-2015 edition | $0.99 | one-time |
| Calendars - Pro Baseball USA 2015 edition | $0.99 | one-time |
| Calendars - US Pro Basketball 2014-2015 edition | $0.99 | one-time |
| Weather calendars | $1.99 | one-time |
| Remove Advertisement | $9.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 📅 Great calendar app
- 🔍 Detailed monthly view
- 🎨 Customizable colors and fonts
- 🔒 Syncs with Google Calendar
- 🔧 Helpful stickers and emojis

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🤖 Ads disrupt user experience
- 🔍 Limited color and theme options
- 🐛 Glitches after iOS updates
- 🗓️ Inability to scroll through months in widget
- 🗓️ Disappearing/deleted calendar events

**Reported bugs**

- Calendar events disappearing after updates
- Widget not showing correct month or events
- Inability to add or edit events in the app
- Syncing issues with Google Calendar
- Crashes and freezes after iOS updates

**Requested features**

- Allow more calendar customization options
- Improve widget functionality and appearance
- Provide an ad-free paid version
- Enhance syncing with other calendar apps
- Add a daily/weekly view in the widget


### DateSmith

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/datesmith-date-widgets/id6746695656)

Enhance your iPhone's lock screen with a beautifully formatted date display. This app specializes in the premium space above your clock, offering customizable formats and reliable midnight updates. Track important events with a countdown mode and enjoy a minimalist, privacy-focused design.

**Highlights:** Custom date widget for above lock screen clock, Multiple widget formats, Personalized date formats, Countdown mode for events, Automatic midnight updates, Privacy-focused design, Battery efficient

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| DateSmith Monthly | $0.99 | per month |
| DateSmith Yearly | $4.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is WidgetCal free?

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

### Is DateSmith free?

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

### Which has better reviews, WidgetCal or DateSmith?

DateSmith is rated higher. WidgetCal averages 3.6 out of 5 from 1.5K ratings, while DateSmith averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.

### Do WidgetCal or DateSmith have ads?

WidgetCal shows ads; DateSmith does not.

### Which is updated more often, WidgetCal or DateSmith?

WidgetCal ships an update every 2 weeks, and DateSmith every 9 months. Most recently, WidgetCal was updated on October 29, 2026 and DateSmith on October 28, 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.*