Customer Reviews (500)

Cristonko • 2025-03-26T16:02:31-07:00

I like it because I don’t have to pay for it but I am still new to it

Kanice Johnson • 2025-03-26T12:39:45-07:00

I love this so much plzzz give it to me

ConceptsOfPlans • 2025-03-25T12:10:01-07:00

I love Widgetsmith, but the subscription model is frustrating. $19.99 per year or $1.99/month for widgets seems excessive. It would be great if there was a one-time price to unlock all current widgets, or an option to buy individual ones for a reasonable price. I’d be fine with paying $9.99 for lifetime access to current widgets, and maybe a yearly fee for new ones, like DLC for games. Too many paywalls everywhere now, and it’s ruining the experience. Also, could you please let us hide the paid features so that the popup doesn’t show every time I click on something by mistake? I can’t support this pricing. “When everything is subscription-based, we own nothing and pay for everything.”

Summary of Key Insights

Widgetsmith is a popular app for customizing iOS home and lock screens with widgets. While many users appreciate its ease of use and customization options, a significant number express frustration with the subscription model, recurring bugs, and lack of certain features. The overall sentiment is mixed, with a substantial portion of users giving 5-star ratings but also a considerable number expressing dissatisfaction with lower ratings. The app is praised for its free features but criticized for paywalled content and persistent technical issues.

Strengths:

  • Easy to use and customize (especially for beginners).
  • Offers a wide range of widget types.
  • Allows users to use their own photos.
  • Many free options available.

Weaknesses:

  • Subscription model is perceived as expensive and limiting.
  • Recurring bugs and glitches (widgets turning blue/black, freezing, crashing).
  • Limited customization options without a premium subscription.
  • Lack of integration with music apps other than Apple Music.
  • Confusion on how to add widgets to the home screen/lock screen.

Overall Sentiment: Mixed

Quantitative Metrics:

  • Overall Rating (estimated average): ~3.7 stars (based on review distribution)
  • Score Distribution:
    • 5-star: 46.2% (231/500)
    • 4-star: 14.8% (74/500)
    • 3-star: 11.8% (59/500)
    • 2-star: 7.6% (38/500)
    • 1-star: 19.6% (98/500)

Data & Methodology Overview

  • Data Sample Size: 500 reviews
  • Time Frame: Not explicitly stated, but based on review content, the reviews appear to span a considerable period, including recent mentions of "iOS 18" and older comments.
  • Analysis Methods: The analysis involved a qualitative review of the provided text, identifying recurring themes, sentiment, feature requests, and pain points. No automated sentiment analysis tools were used; the analysis was performed through manual review and categorization.

Key User Pain Points

  • Subscription Model: Many users find the subscription expensive and limiting, especially for basic features. They would prefer a one-time purchase option or the ability to buy individual widgets.
  • Recurring Bugs and Glitches: Several users report technical issues such as widgets turning blue or black, freezing, crashing, and widgets disappearing. These issues significantly impact user experience and app reliability. The IOS updates seem to cause issues.
  • Confusion and Difficulty Using the App: Some users, especially beginners, find the app confusing to use and struggle with adding widgets to their home/lock screens. Better tutorials and instructions are needed.
  • Lack of Spotify Integration: Users who use Spotify instead of Apple Music are frustrated by the lack of Spotify integration for music widgets.
  • Limited Customization Options: Many users feel that the free version of the app lacks sufficient customization options, pushing them towards the premium subscription.
  • Widgets Not Working on Lock Screen: Numerous users report difficulties getting the lock screen widgets to function properly.
  • Freezing/Crashing on iPad (Extra Large Widgets): Some iPad users experience crashing when using extra-large widgets.
  • Widgets Disappearing or Resetting: Some users have reported widgets disappearing or resetting after updates or other events.

Frequently Requested Features

  • Spotify Integration: Integration with Spotify for music widgets.
  • One-Time Purchase Option: A one-time purchase option to unlock all current widgets instead of a subscription.
  • Individual Widget Purchases: The ability to purchase individual widgets instead of subscribing.
  • Transparent Background Option: A transparent background option for widgets.
  • More Customization Options: More free customization options, such as more colors, fonts, and borders.
  • Shape Widgets: More widget shapes, such as vertical widgets.
  • Change App Icons: A feature to change app icons to match the home screen aesthetic.
  • GIF Support: Support for GIF widgets.
  • Vertical Widgets: A Vertical template for the medium widget.
  • Ability to move widgets around within the app: Easier management of widgets, without needing to delete and recreate them to reorder.
  • More Music Options (SoundCloud, Audiomack, etc.): Additional music service integrations.

Strengths and Positive Aspects

  • Ease of Use (for some): Many users find the app easy to use and customize, especially after getting used to it.
  • Customization Options: Users appreciate the wide range of customization options available, including the ability to use their own photos.
  • Free Features: Many users appreciate the free features offered by the app, which allow them to personalize their home screens without paying for a subscription.
  • Aesthetic Appeal: Users find the app aesthetically pleasing and enjoy using it to create visually appealing home screens.
  • Variety of Widget Types: The app offers a diverse selection of widget types, catering to different needs and preferences.

Prioritized Action Recommendations

High Priority:

  • Address Recurring Bugs and Glitches: Investigate and fix the reported bugs and glitches, such as widgets turning blue/black, freezing, crashing, widgets not loading, and issues with iOS updates. This is critical for improving user experience and app reliability.
  • Improve Onboarding and Tutorials: Create more comprehensive and user-friendly tutorials to guide new users through the app's features and address common issues, such as adding widgets to the home screen/lock screen.
  • Evaluate and Adjust Subscription Model: Consider offering a one-time purchase option or the ability to buy individual widgets to address user concerns about the subscription model. Or offer a tier that unlocks current widgets for a one-time fee, and a subscription for new ones.
  • iOS 18 Compatibility: Ensure full compatibility with iOS 18 and address any issues related to widgets not syncing or displaying correctly.

Medium Priority:

  • Implement Spotify Integration: Prioritize Spotify integration for music widgets to cater to a wider audience.
  • Expand Free Customization Options: Offer more free customization options, such as more colors, fonts, and borders, to enhance the user experience without requiring a subscription.
  • Optimize App Performance on iPads: Address the freezing/crashing issues on iPads, especially when using extra-large widgets.
  • Improve Lock Screen Widget Functionality: Address the issues with Lock Screen widgets to ensure they function properly for all users.

Low Priority:

  • Add More Widget Shapes: Consider adding more widget shapes, such as vertical widgets, to provide users with more design options.
  • Implement App Icon Customization: Explore the possibility of adding a feature to change app icons, but prioritize other issues first.
  • GIF Support: Consider adding GIF support.
  • Address Widget Disappearance: Investigate and resolve the issue of widgets disappearing or resetting unexpectedly.

Opportunities for Startup Ideas

  • Widget Marketplace: A platform for users to create, share, and sell custom widget designs. This could provide a new revenue stream for developers and offer users a wider range of options.
  • AI-Powered Widget Creation: An app that uses AI to automatically generate widget designs based on user preferences and data.
  • Interactive Widget Platform: A platform focused on creating more interactive and dynamic widgets, going beyond simple displays of information.

Trends and Observations

  • Language Preferences: The majority of reviews are in English, but there are also reviews in Spanish and other languages, indicating a global user base.
  • iOS Update Issues: Many users report issues with the app after iOS updates, suggesting a need for better testing and compatibility.
  • Shift in Sentiment: There are reports of the app previously working well but experiencing issues after recent updates, indicating a decline in user satisfaction.
  • Subscription Fatigue: A common theme is frustration with the subscription model and a desire for a one-time purchase option, reflecting a broader trend of "subscription fatigue" among consumers.

Conclusion

Widgetsmith has a strong foundation as a customizable widget app, but it faces challenges related to its subscription model, recurring bugs, and limited features. Addressing these issues and prioritizing user feedback will be crucial for improving user satisfaction and maintaining a competitive edge. By focusing on stability, affordability, and expanded customization options, Widgetsmith can solidify its position as a leading widget app.

Overall Recommendation: Prioritize bug fixes and address user concerns about the subscription model. Invest in improving app stability and expanding free customization options.

Original App Link

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/widgetsmith/id1523682319?uo=2