# WidgetCal vs DateSmith Light

The clearest difference is review sentiment: DateSmith Light at 100% against WidgetCal's 48%. DateSmith Light also leads on rating (5.0 vs 3.6) and in-app purchases (none vs 10). WidgetCal's advantage is ratings volume (1.5K vs 2) and iOS requirement (15.6 vs 17.6). On price 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. DateSmith Light asks for nothing beyond the download.

DateSmith Light 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: 48% of WidgetCal's written reviews are positive against 100% of DateSmith Light's.

WidgetCal ships an update every 3 weeks, DateSmith Light weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and June 6, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | WidgetCal | DateSmith Light |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 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-light-date-widgets/id6746695656/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **1.5K** | 2 |
| Positive reviews | 47.6% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 52 MB | 1 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.6** | 17.6 |
| 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 Light

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/datesmith-light-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

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is WidgetCal free?

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

### Is DateSmith Light free?

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

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

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

### Do WidgetCal or DateSmith Light have ads?

WidgetCal shows ads; DateSmith Light does not.

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

WidgetCal ships an update every 3 weeks, and DateSmith Light weekly. Most recently, WidgetCal was updated on September 24, 2026 and DateSmith Light on June 6, 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.*