Tan AI is a cross-platform tanning app with an AI chat coach and Fitzpatrick-based skin-type personalization. Beam Tanning is an iOS-only tanning app with preset tanning routines, a sunburn tracker, and a subscription-forward flow. Full comparison below.
Which one fits depends on what you want: Tan AI if you want skin-type-aware coaching, Android support, or a usable free tier; Beam if you want structured preset routines, a dedicated sunburn tracker, and the largest installed base in the category.
Tan AI vs Beam Tanning: feature comparison
Side-by-side on the features listed in each app's App Store listing.
| Feature | Tan AI | Beam Tanning |
|---|---|---|
| App Store rating | 4.9★ | 4.7★ |
| Ratings volume | 2,700+ | 10,200+ |
| iOS | ✓ | ✓ |
| Android | ✓ | — |
| AI chat coach (learns you) | ✓ | — |
| Fitzpatrick skin-type quiz | ✓ | Basic |
| Skin-aware session timer | ✓ | — |
| Real-time UV tracking | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hourly UV forecast | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dedicated sunburn tracker | — | ✓ |
| Preset tanning routines | — | ✓ |
| Usable free tier | ✓ | — |
Feature comparison based on public App Store listings, April 2026.
Meet the apps
Tan AI
Beam Tanning
Key differences
- Platform reach: Tan AI runs on both iOS and Android. Beam is iOS-only.
- Personalization: Tan AI uses a Fitzpatrick skin-type quiz to tailor session length and SPF guidance per user. Beam ships with preset tanning routines shared across users.
- Free-tier scope: Tan AI's free tier includes the chat coach, skin quiz, UV tracker, and session timer. Beam's flow is subscription-forward — most of the experience is behind the paywall.
Price
Both apps are free to download. Tan AI's free tier covers the skin quiz, UV tracker, session timer, and chat coach. Beam's flow is subscription-forward — most of the experience is behind the paywall.
Tan AI
Free to download · $6.99/wk–$49.99/yr
- Weekly (3-day free trial)$6.99
- Monthly$12.99
- 3-month$19.99
- Yearly$39.99–49.99
Beam Tanning
Free to download · $4.99/wk–$49.99/yr
- Weekly (3-day free trial)$4.99–6.99
- Yearly (3-day free trial)$29.99–49.99
Pricing pulled from the US App Store, April 2026. Apple price variants reflect A/B testing, so you may see a different tier at checkout.
Which one fits which user
Tan AI fits users who want skin-type-aware session recommendations, need Android support, or want to evaluate the app before subscribing. The chat coach retains skin type, stated goals, and session history across conversations.
Beam Tanning fits users on iOS who want preset tanning routines plus a dedicated sunburn tracker, and who are comfortable subscribing to evaluate. Beam has the largest installed base in the category (10,200+ ratings).
Both apps are free to download. Differences by category: Tan AI covers iOS + Android, includes Fitzpatrick personalization, and has a broader free tier. Beam covers iOS only, has the larger installed base, and includes preset routines plus a dedicated sunburn tracker.
FAQs
Is Tan AI or Beam Tanning more accurate on UV readings?
Both apps use real-time UV data. Tan AI additionally factors Fitzpatrick skin type into session length and SPF guidance; Beam does not, so its session recommendations are the same across users.
Does Beam Tanning work on Android?
No. Beam is iOS-only as of April 2026. Tan AI is on both iOS and Android.
Is Tan AI free?
Yes — free to download on both stores, with a usable free tier that includes the chat coach, skin-type quiz, UV-aware session timer, and real-time UV tracking. Premium features are optional.
Still deciding?
If you want to see how Tan AI and Beam stack up against the rest of the category — SunSafe, SPF Tan Timer, SunRay, and others — read our full roundup of the best tanning apps of 2026. That guide uses the same public data and the same criteria, and covers every major competitor. For the closest head-to-head comparison after Beam, read Tan AI vs SunSafe.
