# OpenKey vs Placefold

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: OpenKey at none against Placefold's 2. OpenKey also leads on iOS requirement (14.0 vs 18.0). Placefold's advantage is update cadence (every 11 days vs every 2 months). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Placefold sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. OpenKey asks for nothing beyond the download.

OpenKey ships an update every 2 months, Placefold every 11 days. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | OpenKey | Placefold |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (3.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/openkey/id990142776/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **3.1K** | — |
| Positive reviews | 72.6% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 11 days** |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Size | 107 MB | 20 MB |
| Requires iOS | **14.0** | 18.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [OPENKEY, INC.](https://appshunter.io/developer/990142775) | [MICHAEL PIOUS](https://appshunter.io/developer/1874407341) |

## What reviewers say

### OpenKey

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/openkey/id990142776)

Unlock hotel rooms worldwide using your smartphone as a secure digital key. Access your room instantly, share keys with companions, and manage your stay with features like check-out details and hotel information.

**Highlights:** Instant room access, Digital key sharing, Contact hotel operations, View check-out details, Room number displayed, Explore hotel amenities, Request check-out

**Features:** Apple Wallet, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Seamless experience
- 🔑 Convenient keyless entry
- 💡 Sharing keys with others
- 👍 Easy to use
- 🔒 Secure access

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Connectivity issues
- 🔍 Needs better instructions
- 🔋 Drains phone battery
- 🤔 Doesn't work consistently

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes frequently
- Fails to unlock doors sometimes
- Issues with updating and reinstalling

**Requested features**

- Apple Watch app integration
- Improved error handling and troubleshooting


### Placefold

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/placefold-travel-journal/id6808419344)

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Placefold Pro | $2.99 | per month |
| Annual Placefold Pro | $19.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is OpenKey free?

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

### Is Placefold free?

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

### Do OpenKey or Placefold have ads?

Neither OpenKey nor Placefold shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, OpenKey or Placefold?

OpenKey ships an update every 2 months, and Placefold every 11 days. Most recently, OpenKey was updated on November 6, 2026 and Placefold on October 31, 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.*