# FirstVet vs NHS App

The clearest difference is review sentiment: FirstVet at 96% against NHS App's 24%. FirstVet also leads on rating (4.7 vs 2.7) and ratings volume (463 vs 75). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

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

FirstVet holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 2.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: FirstVet has 463 ratings behind it against 75, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 96% of FirstVet's written reviews are positive against 24% of NHS App's.

FirstVet ships an update fortnightly, NHS App every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 18, 2026 and October 19, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | FirstVet | NHS App |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (463 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/firstvet/id1349241101/reviews)** | [2.7 (75 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nhs-app/id1388411277/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **463** | 75 |
| Positive reviews | **95.7% of reviews** | 23.7% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 150 MB | 13 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 12+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [FirstVet AB](https://appshunter.io/developer/1134517275) | [NHS Digital](https://appshunter.io/developer/1046466218) |

## What reviewers say

### FirstVet

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/firstvet/id1349241101)

Connect with licensed veterinarians via video call for expert pet health advice. Get guidance on emergencies, symptoms, and when to seek in-person care, all from home. Add your pet's details to quickly access professional support when you need it most.

**Highlights:** Video call a vet, Expert pet health advice, Symptom triage, Emergency guidance, Add pet details, Licensed veterinarians

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Quick and easy to use
- 👍 Friendly and helpful vets
- 🚑 Provides peace of mind and reassurance
- 💰 Saves money on vet visits
- 🌐 Convenient 24/7 access to vets

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 App glitches and connectivity issues
- ❌ Limited functionality (no prescriptions)
- 💸 Subscription cost

**Reported bugs**

- Difficulty registering account and linking insurance
- App crashes and freezes

**Requested features**

- Video upload capability
- Improved app notifications
- Integration with pet insurance


### NHS App

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nhs-app/id1388411277)

Access a range of NHS services securely from your smartphone or tablet. Request repeat prescriptions, view test results, manage appointments, and receive messages from your GP surgery. You can also manage services for others if granted access.

**Highlights:** Request repeat prescriptions, View test results, Manage appointments, Access 111 online, Find nearby NHS services, Manage health for others, Receive messages from GP surgery

**Features:** Apple Wallet, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Useful for repeat prescriptions
- 🚀 Helpful for accessing health records
- 👍 Intuitive and easy to use
- 🚀 Convenient way to manage appointments

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent login issues
- 🐛 Unreliable app functionality
- 🐛 Missing important medical data
- 🐛 Buggy after updates
- 👎 Difficult to change registered details

**Reported bugs**

- Inability to log in after recent update
- Blank screens and loading issues
- Incorrect or missing appointment details
- Syncing problems with GP records

**Requested features**

- Ability to book appointments directly
- Improved integration with other health apps
- Inclusion of full medical history
- Persistent login and biometric support
- Notification system for prescription status


## Frequently asked questions

### Is FirstVet free?

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

### Is NHS App free?

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

### Which has better reviews, FirstVet or NHS App?

FirstVet is rated higher. FirstVet averages 4.7 out of 5 from 463 ratings, while NHS App averages 2.7 from 75 ratings.

### Do FirstVet or NHS App have ads?

Neither FirstVet nor NHS App shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, FirstVet or NHS App?

FirstVet ships an update fortnightly, and NHS App every 3 weeks. Most recently, FirstVet was updated on October 18, 2026 and NHS App on October 19, 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.*