# 12 Steps Guide vs SMART Recovery

The clearest difference is rating: 12 Steps Guide at 4.8 against SMART Recovery's 4.2. 12 Steps Guide also leads on ratings volume (3.3K vs 25) and review sentiment (92% vs 75%). SMART Recovery's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and update cadence (monthly vs every 3 months). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. 12 Steps Guide sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $19.99 per year. SMART Recovery asks for nothing beyond the download.

12 Steps Guide holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: 12 Steps Guide has 3.3K ratings behind it against 25, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 92% of 12 Steps Guide's written reviews are positive against 75% of SMART Recovery's.

12 Steps Guide ships an update every 3 months, SMART Recovery monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 22, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | 12 Steps Guide | SMART Recovery |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (3.3K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/12-steps-guide/id1238097883/reviews)** | [4.2 (25 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smart-recovery/id1606416910/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **3.3K** | 25 |
| Positive reviews | **92.0% of reviews** | 75.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Free** |
| Size | 35 MB | 31 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 17+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Tushar Bhagat](https://appshunter.io/developer/901932809) | [SMART Recovery USA, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/988593977) |

## What reviewers say

### 12 Steps Guide

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/12-steps-guide/id1238097883)

This app provides a comprehensive guide to the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, featuring audiobooks of key recovery tapes and literature. It includes prayers, readings, a sobriety calculator, and the complete Big Book text for a structured recovery journey.

**Highlights:** 12-step program guide, Audiobooks of recovery tapes, Complete Big Book text, Sobriety calculator, Included prayers and readings, AA literature

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

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Annual Subscription | $19.99 | per year |
| Donate | $2.99 | one-time |
| Donate | $4.99 | one-time |
| Donate | $9.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Great recovery resource
- 🚀 Convenient and easy to use
- 💡 Comprehensive AA literature in one place
- 🙏 Helpful prayers and daily reflections

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Ads still present after paid upgrade
- 🤔 Lack of dark mode option
- 💤 Difficulty retaining information from reading

**Reported bugs**

- Daily reflections page not working
- App crashes on older devices

**Requested features**

- Add sobriety tracker
- Include 12 & 12 book content
- Improve bookmarking and page saving


### SMART Recovery

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smart-recovery/id1606416910)

This app connects individuals with mutual-support groups to overcome addiction to substances or activities. It guides participants in developing self-empowerment for balanced living through a science-based program.

**Highlights:** Mutual-support groups, Addiction recovery, Science-based 4-Point Program, Develop self-empowerment, Balanced living guidance

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is 12 Steps Guide free?

12 Steps Guide is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is SMART Recovery free?

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

### Which has better reviews, 12 Steps Guide or SMART Recovery?

12 Steps Guide is rated higher. 12 Steps Guide averages 4.8 out of 5 from 3.3K ratings, while SMART Recovery averages 4.2 from 25 ratings.

### Do 12 Steps Guide or SMART Recovery have ads?

Neither 12 Steps Guide nor SMART Recovery shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, 12 Steps Guide or SMART Recovery?

12 Steps Guide ships an update every 3 months, and SMART Recovery monthly. Most recently, 12 Steps Guide was updated on October 22, 2026 and SMART Recovery on October 14, 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.*