# CFSScan vs Alert SA

The clearest difference is ads: Alert SA at none against CFSScan's shown. Alert SA also leads on monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases) and review sentiment (53% vs 31%). CFSScan's advantage is update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 3 months). On price, rating, in-app purchases and device support 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 — 5.0 for CFSScan against 4.9 for Alert SA. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Alert SA has 15 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 31% of CFSScan's written reviews are positive against 53% of Alert SA's.

CFSScan ships an update every 2 weeks, Alert SA every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | CFSScan | Alert SA |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cfsscan/id1107585269/reviews)** | [4.9 (15 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/alert-sa/id1487904728/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 1 | **15** |
| Positive reviews | 30.8% of reviews | **53.1% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 weeks** | Every 3 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 37 MB | 45 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **16.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Nico VanHaaster](https://appshunter.io/developer/1107585268) | [Government of South Australia – South Australian Fire and Emergency Services Commission](https://appshunter.io/developer/998243396) |

## What reviewers say

### CFSScan

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cfsscan/id1107585269)

Access real-time emergency services pager messages with push notifications for custom rules. View detailed incident information, search historical data, and find nearby water points. The app also provides live traffic updates and route planning.

**Highlights:** Real-time push notifications, Custom rule alerts, Historical incident search, Detailed incident information, Map point referencing, Live pager feed, Water point and stand pipe locator, Real-time traffic and route planning

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Alert SA

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/alert-sa/id1487904728)

Receive timely alerts and warnings for various hazards like fires, heatwaves, severe weather, and floods. Customize notifications for up to 10 specific areas and stay informed about fire danger ratings and total fire bans. This official government app ensures you have critical public safety information.

**Highlights:** Multi-hazard alerts, Customizable watch zones, Fire danger ratings, Total fire ban information, Cross-border notifications, Accessibility features

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🗺️ Customizable watch zones for personalized alerts
- 📍 Real-time incident mapping and location visibility
- 🔔 Reliable notifications for critical emergencies
- 👍 User-friendly interface and easy navigation
- 💾 Comprehensive incident information and details

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔊 Notification sound is intrusive and cannot be customized
- 📢 Alert fatigue from excessive non-critical notifications
- 🐛 Notifications fail to arrive despite enabled settings
- ❌ Frozen app after recent updates (iOS)
- 📍 Insufficient location details in notifications (missing suburb/street address)

**Reported bugs**

- App freezes on welcome screen after update (version 3.3.0+)
- Fire hazard rating button causes app crash
- Notifications not received despite enabled settings and watch zones configured
- Push notifications fail after iPhone OS updates
- App stuck in portrait mode on iPad in landscape orientation

**Requested features**

- Customizable notification sounds with multiple options
- Ability to filter alert types (fires only vs. all incidents)
- Watch zones smaller than 5km for suburban areas
- Wind direction and speed information for fire events
- Dynamic watch zones that adjust based on fire danger levels


## Frequently asked questions

### Is CFSScan free?

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

### Is Alert SA free?

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

### Which has better reviews, CFSScan or Alert SA?

CFSScan is rated higher. CFSScan averages 5.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while Alert SA averages 4.9 from 15 ratings.

### Do CFSScan or Alert SA have ads?

CFSScan shows ads; Alert SA does not.

### Which is updated more often, CFSScan or Alert SA?

CFSScan ships an update every 2 weeks, and Alert SA every 3 months. Most recently, CFSScan was updated on September 26, 2026 and Alert SA on September 23, 2026.

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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.*