If you want an estimated burn time from the live UV index, your skin type and your sunscreen, counted down on your Apple Watch and Lock Screen, pick Shade. If you want a selfie skin scan, a 24/7 AI chat assistant, an Android version or an app in your own language, pick Tan AI.
What each app does
Shade reads the live UV index from Apple Weather, takes your Fitzpatrick skin type (I–VI) and your protection (bare skin, sunscreen or covered up), and shows your estimated burn time. A session gives you a countdown, turn-over cues, a reapply reminder every 2 hours with sunscreen and a heads-up before your estimated burn time, following WHO UV Index guidance.
Tan AI, by Emanuele Pio Totaro, describes itself as an AI tanning assistant. As of October 2026 its App Store listing covers a selfie skin-tone scan, a goal you set, a routine with flip and SPF reminders, live UV with a 16-day forecast, photo progress comparisons, product and food suggestions and an AI chat. It’s free with ads; a subscription removes ads and unlocks more scanning and routines.
Key differences
- How it reads your skin. Shade asks you to pick a Fitzpatrick type. Tan AI analyses a selfie.
- What you get back. Shade gives a burn-time estimate and countdown. Tan AI gives a goal-based routine and an assistant to chat with.
- Wrist and Lock Screen. Shade has a Watch app, widgets and a Live Activity. Tan AI’s listing doesn’t mention them.
- Reach. Tan AI is on Android as well as iPhone, runs on iOS 18.6 and later, and is localized into 34 languages. Shade is iPhone-only, needs iOS 26 and is in English.
- Ratings. Tan AI has about 3,900 US ratings (4.9 average) as of October 2026, well ahead of Shade.
Who each is for
Shade suits you if you want a clear number and a countdown you can follow from your wrist, with no account to create. Tan AI suits you if you like photo-based tracking and chatting through questions, or you use Android.
Other options
SunSafe, Beam and SPF also offer routines; UVLens is a simpler UV and burn-risk app. See all Shade comparisons or the best tanning apps in 2026.