# PIEPS vs ARVA

The clearest difference is ads: PIEPS at none against ARVA's shown. PIEPS also leads on ratings volume (1K vs 1) and monetization model (free vs ad-supported). On price, rating, review sentiment and update cadence 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 — 4.9 for PIEPS against 5.0 for ARVA. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: PIEPS has 1K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 63% of PIEPS's written reviews are positive against 57% of ARVA's.

PIEPS ships an update monthly, ARVA every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 4, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | PIEPS | ARVA |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.9 (1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pieps/id1148014050/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/arva/id1552365121/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **1K** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | **63.0% of reviews** | 57.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Monthly** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | **Free** | Ad-supported |
| Size | 46 MB | 405 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **14.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Pieps GmbH](https://appshunter.io/developer/1148014049) | [NIC IMPEX SA](https://appshunter.io/developer/1552365123) |

## What reviewers say

### PIEPS

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pieps/id1148014050)

Configure, check, and update your PIEPS or Black Diamond avalanche transceiver. Train your rescue skills with your phone as a remote control and register your device for additional services.

**Highlights:** Device configuration, Functionality check, Firmware updates, Rescue skills training, Remote control functionality, Device registration

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Easy to use
- 👍 Convenient app updates
- 🚀 Quick Bluetooth connection
- 👍 Functional, well-designed app

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Bluetooth connection issues
- 🐛 App login/registration problems
- 🐛 App not working on certain devices
- 🔋 Battery compartment design issues

**Reported bugs**

- App home screen going blank
- Incompatibility with certain beacon models

**Requested features**

- Support for more languages (e.g. Russian, Japanese)
- Improved security for app login/registration


### ARVA

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/arva/id1552365121)

Access avalanche risk bulletins for various European and American regions. Configure your ARVA NEO BT PRO device, perform diagnostics, and engage in training modules for avalanche safety and search procedures. Includes a trip preparation checklist.

**Highlights:** Avalanche risk bulletins, NEO BT PRO device configuration, Transceiver diagnostics, Snow Safety Program training, Group Check procedure guide, Search training simulations, Trip preparation checklist

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is PIEPS free?

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

### Is ARVA free?

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

### Which has better reviews, PIEPS or ARVA?

ARVA is rated higher. PIEPS averages 4.9 out of 5 from 1K ratings, while ARVA averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do PIEPS or ARVA have ads?

ARVA shows ads; PIEPS does not.

### Which is updated more often, PIEPS or ARVA?

PIEPS ships an update monthly, and ARVA every 2 months. Most recently, PIEPS was updated on October 4, 2026 and ARVA on October 1, 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.*