Comparison

AA 12 Steps Guide vs OpenRecovery

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

AA 12 Steps Guide

This app offers a concise interpretation of the 12 steps for sober living, compiled by early members of the organization. It provides guidance through the 12-step program and helps users find nearby meetings.

Highlights
  • 12 Step Guide interpretation
  • Sober living rules
  • Search for meetings
  • Concise explanations
Features
Read full description

AA 12 Steps Guide - For Alcoholic Anonymous is intended as a simple, short and 
concise interpretation of the rules for sober living as compiled by the earliest members of
 the organization. Great care has gone into the 
preparation of the pamphlet. Most of the ideas
 and explanations were brought out in a series
of instruction classes conducted by veteran members of AA. - Follow the 12 step Guide for guidance - Search for meetings near you Optimized for iOS 10, iPhone 7, 7 Plus or earlier.

About

OpenRecovery

This app provides AI-powered support for various recovery paths, including 12 Steps, SMART Recovery, and CBT. It offers personalized guidance, interactive journals, and a resource library to aid individuals and their allies in their recovery journey.

Highlights
  • AI Recovery Assistant (Kai)
  • Voice chat support
  • 12 Steps, SMART Recovery, CBT tools
  • Self-discovery journals
  • Resource library
  • Progress tracking
  • Calendar view
Features
Read full description

Welcome to OpenRecovery, your comprehensive recovery companion featuring Kai, your personal AI Recovery Assistant. OpenRecovery makes recovery accessible, inclusive, and effective—no matter your chosen recovery path or your stage in the journey. OpenRecovery supports a diverse array of recovery methodologies, including the 12 Steps, SMART Recovery, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Whether you're actively involved in a specific program, newly exploring recovery, supporting someone you care about, or you're a professional counselor or coach seeking effective tools, OpenRecovery provides personalized resources and guidance tailored to your needs. Kai offers compassionate, intelligent assistance, answering your questions and guiding you at any stage of your recovery journey—providing continuous support exactly when you need it most. Key Features: NEW Voice Chat with Kai: Experience hands-free recovery support with natural voice conversations. Turn off your screen while talking, no typing required. Choose from different voice options for a personalized experience that feels like talking to a trusted friend. Enhanced Kai AI Recovery Assistant: Intuitive conversations, personalized guidance, and non-judgmental support tailored precisely to your recovery journey. Comprehensive Recovery Exercises: - 12 Steps: Access essential tools like Inventories, Step Work, and Daily Reflections via the "Tools" icon. - SMART Recovery: Utilize Kai-powered exercises including Cost-Benefit Analysis, Hierarchy of Values, and Change Plan Worksheets. - Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Access resources to challenge and manage negative thoughts, emotional triggers, and behaviors. Self-Discovery Journals: Engage with interactive journals exploring relationships, motivations, values, gratitude, habits, goals, fears, and triggers. Support for Allies and Professionals: Specialized tools for friends, family members, and professionals supporting recovery journeys. Extensive Recovery Resources Library: Access foundational texts including the AA Big Book, SMART Recovery manuals, CBT workbooks, and meditation guides. Recommended Actions with Daily Habits: Discover curated daily habits and meaningful actions with Kai's intelligent recommendations and reminders. Actions Counter: Track progress with comprehensive metrics showing weekly and lifetime totals. Enhanced AI Search: Find recovery actions instantly with improved search functionality. Calendar View: Share updates, manage recovery actions, and maintain connections with sponsors, mentors, counselors, and trusted allies. Facilitator Suggested Actions: Receive personalized tasks from your sponsor, coach, or therapist within the app. In Addition to SMART Recovery and CBT Methodologies, Specific 12 Step Recovery Programs Supported Include: Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Narcotics Anonymous (NA) Gamblers Anonymous (GA) Overeaters Anonymous (OA) Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous (SLAA) Sex Addicts Anonymous (SAA) Debtors Anonymous (DA) Marijuana Anonymous (MA) Cocaine Anonymous (CA) Al-Anon / Alateen Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACA) Co-Anon Co-Dependents Anonymous (CoDA) Co-Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous (COSLAA) Emotions Anonymous (EA) Gam-Anon / Gam-A-Teen Heroin Anonymous (HA) Nar-Anon Sexaholics Anonymous (SA) Sexual Compulsives Anonymous (SCA) Rageaholics Anonymous (RA) Underearners Anonymous (UA) Workaholics Anonymous (WA) Crystal Meth Anonymous (CMA) Celebrate Recovery (CR) Eating Disorders Anonymous (EDA) Food Addicts in Recovery (FA) General 12 Steps Recovery Coming Soon: Refuge Recovery, Dharma Recovery OpenRecovery continues to evolve, driven by the community's diverse needs, ensuring everyone can find personalized, effective tools and support for lasting recovery. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

AA 12 Steps Guide3 screens
OpenRecovery4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: OpenRecovery at 89% against AA 12 Steps Guide's 40%. OpenRecovery also leads on price (Free vs $0.99) and rating (4.9 vs 3.4). AA 12 Steps Guide's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and iOS requirement (8.0 vs 15.0). On ads 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

OpenRecovery is free to download; AA 12 Steps Guide costs $0.99 up front. OpenRecovery sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $9.99 per month. AA 12 Steps Guide asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

OpenRecovery holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 3.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: OpenRecovery has 292 ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 40% of AA 12 Steps Guide's written reviews are positive against 89% of OpenRecovery's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

AA 12 Steps Guide ships an update every 4 months, OpenRecovery every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
AA 12 Steps Guide versus OpenRecovery: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAA 12 Steps GuideOpenRecovery
Price$0.99Free — better
Rating3.4 (5 ratings)4.9 (292 ratings) — better
Positive reviews40.0% of reviews88.9% of reviews — better
Number of ratings5292 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS8.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size8 MB110 MB
Age rating12+17+
DeveloperMTPHoldings LLCHuxley Technologies, LLC

Customer experience

AA 12 Steps Guide

All ratings5 ratings
Positive60.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative40.0%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive40.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative60.0%

OpenRecovery

All ratings292 ratings
Positive97.3%
Neutral0.7%
Negative2.1%
Written reviews45 reviews
Positive88.9%
Neutral2.2%
Negative8.9%

Bugs and requests

AA 12 Steps Guide

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

OpenRecovery

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Service tab inaccessible due to persistent feedback popup
  • App freezes preventing users from moving forward in conversations
  • Feedback survey popup cannot be dismissed

Requested features

4 requests
  • Dark mode or night mode option
  • Restore previous app icon with stairway design
  • Tip jar or donation feature to support developers
  • Expanded non-secular and scientifically-based program integration

In-app purchases

None

AA 12 Steps Guide

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

OpenRecovery

Subscriptions1
  • Monthly Premium Access14 Days trial$9.991 Month

Questions

Is AA 12 Steps Guide free?
AA 12 Steps Guide costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is OpenRecovery free?
OpenRecovery is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, AA 12 Steps Guide or OpenRecovery?
OpenRecovery is rated higher. AA 12 Steps Guide averages 3.4 out of 5 from 5 ratings, while OpenRecovery averages 4.9 from 292 ratings.
Do AA 12 Steps Guide or OpenRecovery have ads?
Neither AA 12 Steps Guide nor OpenRecovery shows ads.
Which is updated more often, AA 12 Steps Guide or OpenRecovery?
AA 12 Steps Guide ships an update every 4 months, and OpenRecovery every 2 weeks. Most recently, AA 12 Steps Guide was updated on October 12, 2026 and OpenRecovery on October 14, 2026.

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