NETGEAR Nighthawk vs First Step Help
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
NETGEAR Nighthawk
Manage your home WiFi network from anywhere with this app. Easily set up your router, control internet access for devices, and enhance your network's security. It also includes tools to test your internet speed and monitor data usage.
- Remote network access
- Parental controls
- Network security
- Speed testing
- Guest WiFi setup
- Traffic monitoring
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Do more with your WiFi using the NETGEAR Nighthawk app. Access your router’s features and manage your network from anywhere after quickly setting up your WiFi in just a few steps. The Nighthawk app gives you convenient access to your router’s features: - Anywhere Access – Monitor and control your home WiFi from anywhere. - Smart Parental Controls – Filter content and limit time online automatically with Circle® on NETGEAR. - Armor Security – Advanced cybersecurity on your network to protect all devices from online threats. - Speed Test – See if you’re getting the internet broadband speeds you’re paying for. - Guest WiFi – Set up a secure and separate WiFi network for guests. - Traffic Meter – Monitor internet usage over time. - Easily pause WiFi, update firmware, and more! The NETGEAR Nighthawk app (formerly Up App) is a complete upgrade from the legacy NETGEAR genie app. New features are consistently being added. Install it today! For more information about your router, visit http://www.support.netgear.com
First Step Help
This utility app performs various network tests and diagnostics to help troubleshoot internet issues. It allows users to share test results with support agents for faster problem resolution. Additional features include live view sessions and router settings checks.
- Network tests and diagnostics
- Share test results with support
- Live View sessions
- Router settings check
- Location data for network analysis
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First Step Help runs a variety of network tests and diagnostics and allows you to share them with the support representative who's working hard to solve your problem. This information will help them to solve your issue quickly so you can go back to enjoying your Internet package to the fullest! After running your scan a First Step Internet support agent needs to look at the information collected so please contact after you have run a scan With First Step Help, we'll also be able to get a better view of your setup with a Live View session, or make necessary changes to your router settings with Router Check. Note: The location permission gives us access to additional network data
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: First Step Help at 100% against NETGEAR Nighthawk's 30%. First Step Help also leads on monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). NETGEAR Nighthawk's advantage is rating (4.7 vs 3.0) and ratings volume (709K vs 2). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
NETGEAR Nighthawk holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: NETGEAR Nighthawk has 709K ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 30% of NETGEAR Nighthawk's written reviews are positive against 100% of First Step Help's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
NETGEAR Nighthawk ships an update monthly, First Step Help every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 5, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | NETGEAR Nighthawk | First Step Help |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (709K ratings) — better | 3.0 (2 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 29.9% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 709K — better | 2 |
| Update frequency | Monthly — better | Every 4 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | 17.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 248 MB | 56 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | NETGEAR | First Step Internet, L.L.C. |
Customer experience
NETGEAR Nighthawk
First Step Help
Bugs and requests
NETGEAR Nighthawk
Reported bugs
4 issues- App fails to detect or connect to router
- Device list inaccurate or inconsistent
- Firmware updates causing connectivity problems
- App crashing or freezing
Requested features
4 requests- Ability to customize device names and icons
- Parental controls with time limits and scheduling
- Improved remote access and management
- Better integration with other Netgear products
First Step Help
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
NETGEAR Nighthawk
No in-app purchases
First Step Help
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is NETGEAR Nighthawk free?
Is First Step Help free?
Which has better reviews, NETGEAR Nighthawk or First Step Help?
Do NETGEAR Nighthawk or First Step Help have ads?
Which is updated more often, NETGEAR Nighthawk or First Step Help?
Other comparisons
