Comparison

First vs HeatNext

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

Head to head
About

First

Connect your mobile device to a commercial vehicle's diagnostic port to monitor its health status. Understand fault codes, view vehicle specifications, and track trip data to improve uptime and aid in service and repair.

Highlights
  • Connect to vehicle diagnostic port
  • Monitor vehicle health status
  • View active and inactive fault codes
  • Display vehicle specifications (VIN, ECU info)
  • Track trip data (fuel, miles, speed, hours)
  • Generate and share vehicle reports
Features
Read full description

NEXIQ First-Link™ is an application that provides important features to the drivers and service technicians of commercial vehicles and equipment. These features help the driver connect the mobile device to the diagnostic port; they also monitor the vehicle's health status and increase the vehicle's uptime. If a Check Engine Light is illuminated, the application assists the driver to understand the cause so that he can seek assistance (i.e., service and repair), if needed. Service technicians can utilize the information gathered by the application to aid in vehicle service and repair. Features include: • Faults – Active and Inactive fault codes present at the time of connection are displayed. • Vehicle Specs – Vehicle information including VIN, ECU software and hardware information is displayed. • Life / Trip – Displays trip-specific information related to fuel usage, miles, maximum speed, cruise control speed, hours of operation, etc. • Parameters – Displays parameters specific to the modules on the vehicle (e.g., engine, transmission, etc.) • Report – Generates a session-specific report containing vehicle information (i.e., faults, vehicle specs, parameters, and life/trip information); can be uploaded to the cloud, emailed, etc. • Sharing - Enables the driver to share vehicle information gathered to dispatch, service providers, etc. • OnCommand® Support - Optional feature to allow users to upload health reports to the OnCommand® servers. • Blue-Link Mini firmware update to v1.09, if the adapter has older firmware.

About

HeatNext

Features
Read full description

HeatNext is a friendly app that allows you to remotely manage your home heating system using your mobile device. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/.

Screenshots

First2 screens
HeatNext4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: First at none against HeatNext's 4. First also leads on iOS requirement (11.0 vs 13.0). HeatNext's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 5 months). On price, 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

Both are free to download. HeatNext sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. First asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

First ships an update every 5 months, HeatNext every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on August 19, 2026 and September 15, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
First versus HeatNext: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFirstHeatNext
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.3 (16 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews16.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings16 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS11.0 — better13.0
Further details — not scored
Size128 MB32 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSnap-on Inc.Nomnio

In-app purchases

None

First

No in-app purchases

4 purchases

HeatNext

Subscriptions4
  • Plus Package$1.991 Month
  • Advanced Package$3.991 Month
  • Plus Package$18.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Advanced Package$37.991 Year

Questions

Is First free?
First is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is HeatNext free?
HeatNext is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do First or HeatNext have ads?
Neither First nor HeatNext shows ads.
Which is updated more often, First or HeatNext?
First ships an update every 5 months, and HeatNext every 2 months. Most recently, First was updated on August 19, 2026 and HeatNext on September 15, 2026.

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