# FirstStarHR Essentials vs ezPulse by Simplified.io

The clearest difference is rating: FirstStarHR Essentials at 3.3 against ezPulse by Simplified.io's 1.0. ezPulse by Simplified.io's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 10 months). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

FirstStarHR Essentials holds the better App Store score, 3.3 against 1.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 7 and 3 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 0% and 0% positive.

FirstStarHR Essentials ships an update every 10 months, ezPulse by Simplified.io every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 2, 2026 and October 3, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | FirstStarHR Essentials | ezPulse by Simplified.io |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[3.3 (7 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/firststarhr-essentials/id1328531032/reviews)** | [1.0 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ezpulse-by-simplifiedio/id1534962397/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **7** | 3 |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | 0.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 10 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 57 MB | 37 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [FirstStarHR](https://appshunter.io/developer/1328531031) | [Simplified Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1534962399) |

## What reviewers say

### FirstStarHR Essentials

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/firststarhr-essentials/id1328531032)

This app gives employees easy access to their payroll and HR information. Employees can clock in/out, submit timesheets, request time off, and view pay stubs and important employment documents.

**Highlights:** Clock in/out, Submit timesheets, Submit PTO requests, View pay stubs, View PTO balances, Access employment documents

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### ezPulse by Simplified.io

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ezpulse-by-simplifiedio/id1534962397)

This business management app connects owners, managers, and providers to their operations. It offers real-time KPI viewing, employee engagement, and immediate action capabilities for salons, spas, and chains.

**Highlights:** Real-time KPI dashboard, Provider performance tracking, Employee engagement tools, Business metric discussions, Anytime, anywhere access

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is FirstStarHR Essentials free?

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

### Is ezPulse by Simplified.io free?

ezPulse by Simplified.io is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, FirstStarHR Essentials or ezPulse by Simplified.io?

FirstStarHR Essentials is rated higher. FirstStarHR Essentials averages 3.3 out of 5 from 7 ratings, while ezPulse by Simplified.io averages 1.0 from 3 ratings.

### Do FirstStarHR Essentials or ezPulse by Simplified.io have ads?

Neither FirstStarHR Essentials nor ezPulse by Simplified.io shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, FirstStarHR Essentials or ezPulse by Simplified.io?

FirstStarHR Essentials ships an update every 10 months, and ezPulse by Simplified.io every 2 months. Most recently, FirstStarHR Essentials was updated on October 2, 2026 and ezPulse by Simplified.io on October 3, 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.*