# first direct — user reviews > 931 indexed App Store user reviews of first direct by first direct, rated 4.90/5 from 1,945 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/first-direct/id405905004/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/first-direct/id405905004.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 1,778 · 4★ 114 · 3★ 20 · 2★ 11 · 1★ 22 ## What do users think of first direct? Overall sentiment: positive **Pros** - 👍 Easy to use - 🚀 Fast and accurate - 🔒 Excellent security - 💡 Helpful customer service - 👍 Consistent and reliable - 👍 Seamless transactions - 👍 Straightforward and intuitive **Cons** - 🐛 Occasional app crashes - 🔒 Overly complex security measures - 💡 Outdated and basic design - 🔒 Frustrating authentication process - 🐛 Buggy cheque deposit feature - 💡 Lack of advanced features **Commonly reported bugs** - App freezing and crashing - Issues with cheque deposit functionality - Problems with multi-device authentication - Inconsistent behavior when updating payee details **Most requested features** - Dark mode option - Improved transaction history and insights - Ability to edit scheduled payments and payees - Streamlined payment flow - Better categorization and budgeting tools ## Newest reviews (18 of 931) ### 2/5 — Very basic app *2026-08-15, version 5.21.0* Just switched to first direct. Not impressed with this app. I can’t search payees, I have to keep scrolling to find the correct one. Can’t send my bank details via this app to somebody who wants to pay me, no “request payment” option. Seems old and outdated. Shame. ### 4/5 — Good *2026-08-14, version 5.21.0* V Good ### 5/5 — Great bank *2026-08-10, version 5.20.0* I have been with FD for 27 years and still really happy. Always works and I enjoy some flexibility you won’t get with other banks particularly the newer ones ### 4/5 — Great app, but *2026-08-10, version 5.20.0* App is always seamless. Shall be a shame to leave First Direct because of cessation of First Directory ### 5/5 — Recommend *2026-08-09, version 5.20.0* Brilliant service . Always great to speak to a human when required great App. So pleased I was recommended ### 5/5 — 1st class *2026-08-08, version 5.20.0* Great bank great service outstanding app a digital platform. ### 5/5 — Customer service *2026-08-07, version 5.20.0* Excellent ### 5/5 — Bank transfer *2026-08-06, version 5.20.0* Excellent, secure service from First Direct. Very trustworthy. ### 5/5 — Good service *2026-08-06, version 5.20.0* Good service ### 5/5 — Happy *2026-08-06, version 5.20.0* Very happy with first direct. I find the app easy to use and the agents on the phone super helpful. I love this bank! ### 5/5 — Brilliant *2026-08-06, version 5.20.0* I have been with First Direct since they started. I have never had cause for complaint. Have been through taking my ex of a joint account, creating a joint account, creating savings etc always great. The access is always spot on and when you call them which I rarely need to you get a human being!! Brilliant ### 5/5 — Great service *2026-08-05, version 5.20.0* I find the bank very helpful and can access information from a person easily. The online access is easy to use and suits my needs. ### 3/5 — Category for Insights *2026-08-04, version 5.20.0* It would be really helpful if once I’ve changed a regular debit to a category, which is more relevant than the one which has been chosen for me, if those future debits automatically went to the category I chose for them for the month previous. ### 5/5 — Excellent app - thanks First Dir. *2026-08-04, version 5.20.0* Includes brilliant monthly interest payments from my Bonus Savings Account. ### 5/5 — Carol *2026-08-03, version 5.20.0* Never been failed by your assistance at all hours of the day and night. Always pleasant and non- obstructive. Rare in a huge service industry. You should be proud of your knowlegeable staff. ### 5/5 — Great Bank *2026-08-03, version 5.20.0* I’m a long time customer (pre internet) FD is first class. That hasn’t changed over the years. Would highly recommend and don’t do so lightly. ### 5/5 — Good and reliable service. *2026-08-03, version 5.20.0* For many years we have enjoyed a trouble-free and fruitful relationship with First Direct and have never hesitated in recommending your service to friends and family. ### 5/5 — Paying an account. *2026-08-02, version 5.20.0* Easy transaction and instant payment sent. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Too many codes *2026-08-13, version 5.21.0* Your online payment system is dreadful, the number of codes required is ridiculous. I understand the need for security, but their must be better ways than this. I’m a long time customer, but seriously thinking about changing to another bank. ### 1/5 — Terrible bank *2026-08-11, version 5.21.0* Would change banks if it was easy. Customer service has no empathy. Been a customer for over 20 years. ### 1/5 — The worst banking app *2026-07-28, version 5.20.0* Why can’t I copy paste when setting up a new destination account? It just encourages input errors by forcing the user to manually enter the details. And if i want to use the app to authenticate web login, I have to log out first! And don’t get me started on the outrageous transaction code generator. ### 1/5 — Worst banking app *2026-06-15, version 5.18.0* This app is really basic compared to other banks. Simple transactions, such as transfers, are much more difficult with FD than say Lloyds. The app shows less information, has less functionality and so far behind. ### 1/5 — Not possible to register by app *2026-06-14, version 5.18.0* When I start entering my information and get to enter the address, when I tap on the scroll button, everything disappears and the page turns white and I can only go back and start all over again. I tried to register 4 times and my patience is over. Please fix the errors. ### 1/5 — Diabolical *2026-06-12, version 5.18.0* This app has deleted all of my saved payees and when I needed to send myself some money I had to upload my information and the page keeps moving making it impossible to see the section of the app that you want to type info into. Considering this was one of the first online banks, this app is just absolutely useless. ### 1/5 — Can’t register, button has spinning gear. *2026-06-09, version 5.18.0* Can’t register for an account. Button just has an infinite spinning gear. Not sure if I want to trust my money with a bank that can’t do basic app coding! ### 1/5 — Services *2026-05-26, version 5.18.0* Service is not what it used to be. Support on credit card fell well short when we were ripped of on Montenegro we were left feeling it was us that were the criminals ### 1/5 — Completely online bank but can’t registration doesn’t work! *2026-05-23, version 5.18.0* I’d love to be able to say how the app works but registering for an account was an absolute ordeal in itself. I just about got through that with multiple crashes and it then crashed out as I tried to register for online banking at the end of that process. Now when I say “crash out” I mean everything disappears from the screen entirely. Now I’ve received my card and was eager to get registered to start my switch but to no avail. I’ve gotten as far as entering the relevant characters from my telephone password and as I put the third one in, the fields and the continue button went Houdini and I’m left here holding my whatsname. Please, for the love of god, help me. ### 1/5 — Absolute garbage app. Completely useless customer support. *2026-05-20, version 5.18.0* tried to open a bank account through their app, and it was a total nightmare. The app is completely broken and constantly freezes on the address verification screen. It doesn't matter if your details are 100% correct according to the Royal Mail database — the software just loops and gets stuck forever. When I contacted customer service, they were absolutely useless. They just read basic scripts off their screens, offering zero actual technical help or manual workarounds. In 2026, a financial institution shouldn't have an app that performs worse than a basic website. If you cannot build a working registration form, don't force people to use your mobile app. Save your time and nerves, go to Tandem, Chase, or Monzo instead. First Direct is stuck in the past. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Easy peast lemon squeezy. *2026-08-15, version 5.21.0* The app s quick, easy and very secure to use ### 5/5 — Best Bank & Best App *2026-08-15, version 5.21.0* I have banked with FD for a good many years and it is still my favourite Banking App and Bank. Thank you ### 5/5 — Fd *2026-08-14, version 5.21.0* Easy to navigate and move money around. What more do you need? ### 5/5 — Best bank ever *2026-08-14, version 5.21.0* I have never had a problem that First Direct haven’t solver immediately. The staff are so patient and helpful. I tell everyone to go to First Direct for first rate banking. ### 5/5 — Super Bank *2026-08-14, version 5.21.0* I have been with First Direct for about 27 years now, by far the best bank I’ve ever been with. The app on the phone is easy to use , and you could call them if you have any queries they always very helpful and courteous over the phone. ### 5/5 — Best Bank in the UK *2026-08-14, version 5.21.0* Changed over after Midland Bank was hoovered up by HSBC and always been super happy with the service. The FD people make the company first class. Security is world class too. ### 5/5 — Still the BEST *2026-08-12, version 5.21.0* After nearly 30 years of banking with First Direct they are still as friendly and helpful as they were when we first transferred to them. Being able to speak to someone in this country who has English as their first language and only a regional accent makes a considerable difference for people in their later years like us over 80s. Well done First Direct for keeping up standards. ### 5/5 — First class *2026-08-11, version 5.20.0* Been with first direct since they opened online banking-always been first class and excellent ### 5/5 — Easy as pie *2026-08-11, version 5.20.0* Very easy app to use to check and move money. Allows easy payments overseas too ### 5/5 — The BestThe Top Gun of Banks w *2026-08-10, version 5.20.0* This Bank is only the best I would not ever consider to leave them They are always there at the end of phone And you can understand them I’m classed as Vulnerable so they really do keep a good eye on me No panicking I can’t remember password or anything they do voice recognition Thank you All --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-01.*