Comparison
BetterMuslim vs Pillars: Which One Fits You?
Pillars and BetterMuslim are both Muslim apps with no ads, and both track your prayers. They are built for different jobs. Here is an honest side-by-side, written by the BetterMuslim team, including when Pillars is the better choice.
· 5 min read
Short answer: pick Pillars if you mainly want private, ad-free prayer times and a prayer tracker, with extras like an Apple Watch app and app blocking in its paid Premium. Pick BetterMuslim if you want your prayers together with the Quran, azkar, du'as and your own habits in one free app, with a Fajr alarm included at no cost.
Side by side
| Pillars | BetterMuslim | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free core; Pillars Premium subscription | Free, no subscription |
| Ads | None | None |
| Prayer times + Qibla | Yes, worked out on your phone; choice of method and Asr madhab | Yes; method matched to your country, Hanafi Asr option |
| Prayer tracker | Yes, plus a fasting tracker | Yes, a streak for each of the five prayers |
| Fajr alarm | Fajr Smart Alarm (Premium) | Free; stops only when you read the waking du'a aloud or photograph your prayer mat |
| Quran reader | Not listed in its store description | Full mushaf offline, more than 240 reciters, tafsir, khatmah planner |
| Morning and evening azkar | Not listed in its store description | Yes, with a tap counter |
| Your own habits | Not listed in its store description | Yes: Quran, dhikr, du'a, fasting, family, sadaqah, anything, ticked or counted |
| Period pause | Yes, keeps your streak | Yes, Excused days keep your streaks |
| Widgets | Home and Lock Screen, Live Activities | Prayer times, today's habits and streak widgets |
| Apple Watch | Yes (Premium) | No |
| Block apps until you pray | PrayFirst (Premium) | No |
| Shared streak with a friend | Not listed | Yes |
| Account | Not needed | Sign in with Apple, Google or email to sync |
Pillars facts are from its App Store and Google Play pages and website, checked on November 2, 2026. Check its listing for current features and prices in your country.
When Pillars is the better pick
- ❋You want prayer times without creating any account, with your location kept on your phone.
- ❋You want an Apple Watch app, Live Activities, or PrayFirst to lock distracting apps until you pray.
- ❋You only want a prayer app, and you read the Quran somewhere else.
When BetterMuslim is the better pick
- ❋You want one free app for prayers, Quran, azkar and du'as, without paying for a Premium tier.
- ❋You want a Fajr alarm that only stops once you have read the waking du'a aloud or photographed your prayer mat, for free.
- ❋You want to track more than prayer: a daily Quran page goal, 100 istighfar, sadaqah, time with family.
- ❋You want to keep a habit with a friend, or you want the app in Arabic, French, Indonesian, Malay or Turkish.
Some people use both: Pillars for prayer times on the watch, BetterMuslim for the rest of the day. See also BetterMuslim vs Athan and Best Islamic Apps in 2026.
Questions
Is Pillars free?
The core of Pillars is free and has no ads. Pillars Premium is a paid subscription that adds the Apple Watch app, the Fajr Smart Alarm, PrayFirst and the full adhan.
What is the difference between Pillars and BetterMuslim?
Pillars is a privacy-first prayer app: prayer times, Qibla and a prayer and fasting tracker, with more in Premium. BetterMuslim is a free habit tracker for worship that includes prayer times, the Quran, azkar, du'as and a Fajr alarm. Both have no ads.
Does BetterMuslim have an Apple Watch app?
Not at the moment. Pillars has one in its Premium tier.
Which app has a free Fajr alarm?
BetterMuslim. Its Fajr alarm is free and keeps ringing until you read the waking du'a aloud or photograph your prayer mat. Pillars' Fajr Smart Alarm is part of Premium.
Is there a free Pillars alternative with Quran and azkar?
Yes. BetterMuslim is free with no ads and has prayer times, Qibla, a prayer tracker, the full Quran offline and morning and evening azkar, on iPhone and Android.
Try BetterMuslim free
Prayers, Quran, azkar and a Fajr alarm in one calm habit tracker. iPhone & Android, no ads, no subscription.
Download the app