Comparison

Incident Action Plan vs ICS NOW

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Incident Action Plan

This incident management tool helps organize personnel, equipment, finances, and logistics for emergency responses. It provides NIMS-compliant forms and allows for real-time data updates, geotagged image uploads, and personnel tracking.

Highlights
  • Create incidents
  • Access PDF forms
  • Upload geotagged images
  • Barcode scanner for personnel/equipment
  • Operational feedback
  • Update event logs
  • Locate and contact personnel
Read full description

Note: This application may only be used by existing Incident Action Plan users. Incident Action Plan (IAP) is a fully NIMS-compliant software package that has been developed over the years to become an all-encompassing tool for incident management. By using the Incident Command System (ICS) process, IAP Software™ manages and conveniently organizes the entirety of an incident response from the necessary resources (personnel & equipment) to the finances and logistics. IAP is a user-friendly system of forms that ensures command officials have valid, up-to-the-minute data through the duration of an incident. For drills and actual incidents, there is no better management software than IAP. Mobile application features include: * Create an incident * Access all forms in PDF format * Upload geotagged images * Check personnel and equipment in and out with a barcode scanner * Provide Operational feedback for assignment changes & resource requirements * Update Individual, Unit, Incident event logs * Quickly locate and contact personnel

About

ICS NOW

This tool simplifies Incident Command System (ICS) documentation for emergency responders. It allows for offline form creation, resource management, and instant PDF report generation, all with secure local data storage.

Highlights
  • Offline ICS-214 Activity Log forms
  • QR code team roster import
  • Excel template support for personnel
  • Smart resource management
  • Customizable PDF report generation
  • Secure local data storage
  • Email integration for reports
Features
Read full description

ICS NOW - Professional ICS Form Management for Emergency Response Teams Streamline your Incident Command System (ICS) documentation with ICS NOW, the complete mobile solution designed specifically for emergency responders, firefighters, and incident management professionals. DESIGNED FOR THE FIELD Work completely offline with all data stored securely on your device. No internet connection required. Perfect for remote incidents and areas with poor connectivity. NOW FEATURING ICS-214 ACTIVITY LOG • Create and manage unlimited ICS-214 forms • Track activity logs by date and time • Document operational periods accurately • Generate professional PDF reports instantly • More ICS forms coming soon QUICK TEAM SETUP • Import team rosters via QR code scanning • Upload Excel templates directly • Manage personnel, equipment, and resources • Select different resources for each incident SMART RESOURCE MANAGEMENT • Centralized resource database • Import entire team roster once • Select relevant personnel per incident • Track names, positions, agencies, and contact info EMAIL & FILE CUSTOMIZATION • Generate PDFs with custom file naming • Configure email recipients (Plans, Logistics) • Automatic subject line formatting • Professional output ready for distribution PRIVACY & SECURITY • 100% local data storage on your device • No cloud sync or external servers • Complete control over your information • FEMA ICS guideline compliant SEAMLESS WORKFLOW • Intuitive form creation • Pre-filled default settings • Quick activity log entries • One-tap PDF generation and email BUILT BY FIRST RESPONDERS, FOR FIRST RESPONDERS ICS NOW is developed by Cato Technologies with a deep understanding of the challenges faced by emergency response teams. We've combined technical expertise with practical field experience to create a tool that actually works when you need it most. IDEAL FOR: • Emergency Response Teams • Fire Departments • Search and Rescue Units • Incident Management Teams • Task Force Operations • Disaster Response Organizations • FEMA ICS Professionals KEY FEATURES AT A GLANCE: Offline-first design ICS-214 Activity Log forms QR code team import Excel template support Resource management Custom file naming Email integration PDF generation Local data storage Professional output Easy-to-use interface GETTING STARTED: 1. Download the Excel template from our website 2. Fill in your team information and settings 3. Import via QR code or file upload 4. Create your first ICS-214 form 5. Track activities and assign resources 6. Generate and email your completed form NO SUBSCRIPTION REQUIRED One-time purchase with all features included. No monthly fees, no hidden costs, no data collection. SUPPORT & RESOURCES • Comprehensive user guide • Excel template download • QR code setup instructions • Email support: josh@catotechnologies.us • Website: [Your website URL] Download ICS NOW today and experience professional ICS form management designed for the realities of emergency response. Follow FEMA ICS guidelines with confidence. Work offline with peace of mind. Document incidents with precision. ICS NOW - When every minute matters, trust your documentation to the professionals.

Screenshots

Incident Action Plan4 screens
ICS NOW4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Incident Action Plan at 80% against ICS NOW's 0%. Incident Action Plan also leads on rating (4.1 vs 2.0) and ratings volume (8 vs 1). ICS NOW's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 2 months). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Incident Action Plan holds the better App Store score, 4.1 against 2.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Incident Action Plan has 8 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 80% of Incident Action Plan's written reviews are positive against 0% of ICS NOW's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Incident Action Plan ships an update every 2 months, ICS NOW weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and September 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Incident Action Plan versus ICS NOW: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterIncident Action PlanICS NOW
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.1 (8 ratings) — better2.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews80.0% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings8 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better14.0
Further details — not scored
Size7 MB58 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperThe Response Group, Inc.Cato Technologies LLC

Customer experience

Incident Action Plan

All ratings8 ratings
Positive87.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative12.5%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive80.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative20.0%

ICS NOW

All ratings1 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

In-app purchases

None

Incident Action Plan

No in-app purchases

None

ICS NOW

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Incident Action Plan free?
Incident Action Plan is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is ICS NOW free?
ICS NOW is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Incident Action Plan or ICS NOW?
Incident Action Plan is rated higher. Incident Action Plan averages 4.1 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while ICS NOW averages 2.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Incident Action Plan or ICS NOW have ads?
Neither Incident Action Plan nor ICS NOW shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Incident Action Plan or ICS NOW?
Incident Action Plan ships an update every 2 months, and ICS NOW weekly. Most recently, Incident Action Plan was updated on October 6, 2026 and ICS NOW on September 28, 2026.

Other comparisons