# NETGEAR Nighthawk vs First Step Help

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.

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 21, 2026 and October 5, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | NETGEAR Nighthawk | First Step Help |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (709K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/netgear-nighthawk-wifi-app/id1124666597/reviews)** | [3.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/first-step-help/id1478309146/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **709K** | 2 |
| Positive reviews | 29.9% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Monthly** | Every 4 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | **#195** | — |
| Size | 248 MB | 56 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | **17.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [NETGEAR](https://appshunter.io/developer/394405580) | [First Step Internet, L.L.C.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1478309145) |

## What reviewers say

### NETGEAR Nighthawk

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/netgear-nighthawk-wifi-app/id1124666597)

**Currently charting:** #195 Top Free · Utilities (US App Store)

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.

**Highlights:** Remote network access, Parental controls, Network security, Speed testing, Guest WiFi setup, Traffic monitoring

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to set up
- 🚀 Improved internet experience
- 🔒 Good security features
- 📊 Useful network monitoring

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Connectivity issues
- 🔍 Limited device management
- 🔧 Difficult configuration for advanced users
- 🔔 Excessive notifications and upsells

**Reported bugs**

- App fails to detect or connect to router
- Device list inaccurate or inconsistent
- Firmware updates causing connectivity problems
- App crashing or freezing

**Requested features**

- 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

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/first-step-help/id1478309146)

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.

**Highlights:** Network tests and diagnostics, Share test results with support, Live View sessions, Router settings check, Location data for network analysis

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is NETGEAR Nighthawk free?

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

### Is First Step Help free?

First Step Help is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, NETGEAR Nighthawk or First Step Help?

NETGEAR Nighthawk is rated higher. NETGEAR Nighthawk averages 4.7 out of 5 from 709K ratings, while First Step Help averages 3.0 from 2 ratings.

### Do NETGEAR Nighthawk or First Step Help have ads?

Neither NETGEAR Nighthawk nor First Step Help shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, NETGEAR Nighthawk or First Step Help?

NETGEAR Nighthawk ships an update monthly, and First Step Help every 4 months. Most recently, NETGEAR Nighthawk was updated on October 21, 2026 and First Step Help on October 5, 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.*