If you want a single estimated burn time that counts down while you tan, on your iPhone and Apple Watch, pick Shade. If you want guided tanning routines, a 10-day UV forecast and multiple saved locations, pick SunSafe. Both are free to download with an optional subscription.
What each app does
Shade reads the live UV index for your location from Apple Weather, takes your Fitzpatrick skin type (I–VI) and whether you’re bare, wearing sunscreen or covered up, and shows your estimated burn time. Start a session and you get a countdown, turn-over cues, a reapply reminder every 2 hours with sunscreen, and a heads-up before your estimated burn time. Estimates follow WHO UV Index guidance.
SunSafe, from Brilliant Apps Sweden, is a UV index and tanning app. As of October 2026 its App Store listing describes real-time UV, a 10-day UV forecast, high-UV alerts, sunburn risk based on skin type, sunscreen reminders, vitamin D tracking, Live Activity monitoring and personalized tanning routines. Some features, including routines and exposure tracking, need SunSafe Pro.
Key differences
- Approach. Shade centres on one number, your estimated burn time, and how it changes with the hourly UV curve. SunSafe centres on routines you follow step by step.
- Sunscreen. Shade counts sunscreen far below the SPF number on the label, because most people apply less than the test amount. SunSafe doesn’t describe how it factors sunscreen in.
- Apple Watch. Shade has a Watch app with complications. SunSafe’s App Store page lists iPhone only.
- Track record. SunSafe has around 11,000 US ratings (4.8 average) as of October 2026. Shade is newer and has far fewer.
- Reach. SunSafe runs on iOS 17 and later and is localized in English, Portuguese and Spanish. Shade needs iOS 26 and its interface is in English.
Who each is for
Shade suits you if you want to glance at your wrist or Lock Screen and see how much of your estimated burn time is left, and you like knowing how the number is built. SunSafe suits you if you prefer a structured routine, want to see UV days ahead, or are on an older iPhone.
Other options
Beam Tanning, SPF and Tan AI take a routine or skin-scan approach, while UVLens and Apple Weather stick closer to the UV index itself. See all Shade comparisons or our roundup of the best tanning apps in 2026.