# BCBSM vs Horizon Blue

The clearest difference is monetization model: BCBSM at free against Horizon Blue's free with in-app purchases. BCBSM also leads on device support (3 vs 1) and chart position (#36 vs #160). On price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume there is nothing between them.

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

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for BCBSM against 4.8 for Horizon Blue. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 81K and 79K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 29% of BCBSM's written reviews are positive against 37% of Horizon Blue's.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly monthly. Both last shipped on November 6, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | BCBSM | Horizon Blue |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (81K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bcbsm/id1098220614/reviews) | **[4.8 (79K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/horizon-blue/id1356335647/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **81K** | 79K |
| Positive reviews | 29.1% of reviews | **36.9% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Monthly | Monthly |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#36** | #160 |
| Size | 66 MB | 97 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 16.4 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 17+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan](https://appshunter.io/developer/591402495) | [Horizon Healthcare Services Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/482349257) |

## What reviewers say

### BCBSM

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bcbsm/id1098220614)

**Currently charting:** #36 Top Free · Medical (US App Store)

Access your health plan information on the go. View your ID card, find doctors, check coverage, and manage bills. Get virtual care and compare provider quality.

**Highlights:** Digital member ID card, Find in-network providers, View plan balances and covered services, Virtual care and 24-hour nurse line, Review claims and EOBs, Bill payments, Provider quality ratings and cost estimates

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Wallet, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Convenient access to account information
- 👍 User-friendly app design
- 🔒 Secure login options
- 💡 Helpful features like viewing claims and deductibles

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and performance issues
- ⏱️ Slow load times and app responsiveness
- 🔍 Inaccurate or outdated provider information
- 📱 Lack of landscape mode support for tablets

**Reported bugs**

- Login process often fails or locks users out
- Claims and deductible information not always accurate
- App redirects to external website instead of handling in-app

**Requested features**

- Add insurance card to Apple Wallet
- Improve search functionality for finding in-network providers
- Provide more self-service options to avoid phone calls


### Horizon Blue

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/horizon-blue/id1356335647)

**Currently charting:** #160 Top Free · Medical (US App Store)

Access your health plan details, find care providers, and connect with member services. View benefits, coverage, and ID cards, track costs, and submit claims. This app is designed for Horizon members to manage their healthcare easily.

**Highlights:** View benefits and coverage, Connect with doctors virtually, Access and share ID card, Find in-network providers, Track out-of-pocket costs, Submit medical claims

**Features:** Apple Wallet, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Convenient app features
- 🚀 Quick access to insurance information
- 💡 Helpful nurse chat option
- 🔒 Secure with ID card sharing

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent app crashes
- 🔍 Unreliable provider search
- 💳 Issues with payments and billing
- 🕰️ Slow app performance

**Reported bugs**

- Login issues with passcode/biometrics
- Inability to upload documents/photos
- Telehealth feature not functioning
- Incorrect/outdated provider information

**Requested features**

- Add Face ID/Touch ID login
- Improve doctor/provider search
- Streamline payment process
- Provide more detailed coverage information


## Frequently asked questions

### Is BCBSM free?

BCBSM is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Horizon Blue free?

Horizon Blue is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, BCBSM or Horizon Blue?

Horizon Blue is rated higher. BCBSM averages 4.7 out of 5 from 81K ratings, while Horizon Blue averages 4.8 from 79K ratings.

### Do BCBSM or Horizon Blue have ads?

Neither BCBSM nor Horizon Blue shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, BCBSM or Horizon Blue?

BCBSM ships an update monthly, and Horizon Blue monthly. Most recently, BCBSM was updated on November 6, 2026 and Horizon Blue on November 6, 2026.

### Which is more popular, BCBSM or Horizon Blue?

BCBSM currently peaks at #36 in the App Store charts, and Horizon Blue at #160. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*
