If you want a tanning session timer that counts down to your estimated burn time on your Lock Screen and Apple Watch, pick Shade. If you want a free UV index app with a burn-risk estimate, no subscription, and support for iPad and Android, pick UVLens.
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. During a session you get 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.
UVLens, from ElementX, has been on the App Store since 2016. As of October 2026 its listing and website describe an hourly UV forecast for locations worldwide, a dial showing when UV peaks, a skin-type quiz that estimates how quickly you could burn without sunscreen, reapply reminders, a UV globe map and Home and Lock Screen widgets. Its listing notes that skin can be damaged before it burns.
Key differences
- Sessions. Shade has a tanning session timer with cues along the way. UVLens shows your burn risk but doesn’t run sessions.
- Sunscreen. Shade factors sunscreen into the estimate, conservatively. UVLens estimates burn risk without sunscreen and reminds you to reapply.
- Wrist and Lock Screen. Shade has a Watch app and a Live Activity. UVLens has Lock Screen widgets but no Watch app listed.
- Price and reach. UVLens is free with no in-app purchases listed, runs on iPhone, iPad and Android, and is localized into 10 languages including Italian. Shade is iPhone and Apple Watch only, in English, with some features in Shade Plus.
Who each is for
Shade suits you if you spend planned time in the sun, at the beach or pool, and want a countdown that follows the day’s UV curve. UVLens suits you if you mainly want to check the UV forecast and your burn risk, for free, on any phone or tablet.
Other options
Apple Weather already shows the UV index on your iPhone; SunSafe and Tan AI add tanning routines. See all Shade comparisons or the best tanning apps in 2026.