Skylight is a cheaper, smaller-display alternative to Hearth with a new Plus tier that adds chores, rewards, and meal planning. It’s a solid kitchen calendar if you want a wall device; Kyrio covers the same ground without the hardware cost.
Skylight’s Plus subscription is required to unlock chores and rewards. Kyrio gives you those on the free tier and works anywhere you have your phone.
Quick verdict
Kyrio vs Skylight: feature matrix
| Feature | Kyrio | Skylight |
|---|---|---|
| Chore templatesPre-built age-appropriate chore lists you can assign with one tap. | Yes | Paid |
| Points & leaderboardsPoints, streaks, badges, or a family leaderboard that motivate kids. | Yes | Paid |
| Parent-set reward storeParents define custom rewards; kids redeem with earned points. | Yes | Paid |
| Allowance / money rewardsConverts chores or points into tracked allowance money. | Partial Points convert into parent-defined rewards; custom reward types can represent allowance money. | No |
| Shared family calendarIn-app calendar with per-member color coding and events. | Yes | Yes |
| Google / iCloud syncTwo-way sync with Google, iCloud, or Outlook calendars. | Partial One-way import today; native Google/iCloud two-way sync on the roadmap. | Yes |
| Shared listsGrocery, to-do, or custom lists synced across the family in real time. | Yes | Yes |
| Meal plannerWeekly meal planning with recipes and auto-generated shopping lists. | Yes | Paid |
| Movie night pickerSwipe-to-match movie picker so the family actually agrees on something. | Yes | No |
| Subscription trackerTracks household subscriptions (Netflix, Spotify, etc.), renewals, and costs. | Yes | No |
| Shared credentials vaultEncrypted vault for shared logins (streaming, Wi-Fi, utilities). | Yes | No |
| Family message boardShared board for notes, announcements, and quick communication. | Yes | No |
| AI assistanceBuilt-in AI that drafts chore rotations, meal plans, or shopping lists. | Yes Bring-your-own API key — no hidden AI surcharge on your subscription. | No |
| Usable free tierA free tier that is usable long-term, not just a 7-day trial. | Yes | No |
| EU-hosted / GDPR-firstData stored in the EU with GDPR-first privacy controls. | Yes | No |
Fully supported Partial Paid tier only Not supported
Pick Kyrio if…
- You want gamified chores that kids actually engage with long-term.
- You want a shared calendar, lists, meal planner, and subscription tracker in the same app.
- You want a genuinely usable free tier without aggressive paywalls.
- You care about GDPR and EU-first privacy defaults.
Pick Skylight if…
Families who want a dedicated always-on kitchen display and are willing to pay for both hardware and software.
Skylight pros and cons
Pros
- Gorgeous touchscreen that lives in the kitchen.
- Strong calendar sync.
- New chores + rewards module for Plus subscribers.
Cons
- Full experience requires the hardware AND the Plus subscription.
- Rewards module is basic compared to chore-first apps.
- No mobile-only tier.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kyrio a good Skylight alternative?
What does Kyrio have that Skylight does not?
Is Kyrio free?
See the full 12-app buyer’s guide, or compare Kyrio against Cozi, FamilyWall, and OurHome.