AA 12 Step Toolkit vs OpenRecovery
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
AA 12 Step Toolkit
This app provides a comprehensive set of tools for individuals in recovery, offering guidance, inventories, readings, and practical utilities based on the principles of Alcoholics Anonymous. It includes features for sponsorship, step work, sobriety tracking, and personal reflections, all within a secure and easy-to-use interface.
- In-app sponsorship with messaging
- Full Big Book text and step guides
- Sobriety time calculator and statistics
- Moral inventory and daily practice tools
- Readings and prayers
- Gratitude lists and personal notes
- PIN, Face ID, and Touch ID security
Read full descriptionHide full description
12 Step Toolkit – Everything AA Members Need for Daily Recovery 12 Step Toolkit is a complete set of recovery tools designed to support your journey—day by day, step by step. Built around the principles found in the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, this app combines guidance, inventories, readings, and practical utilities to help you stay connected to your programme. Whether you are new to recovery or continuing your journey, 12 Step Toolkit keeps everything you need in one secure, easy-to-use place. KEY FEATURES IN-APP SPONSORSHIP • Connect with thousands of sponsors and sponsees worldwide • Find a sponsor • Add sponsees • Secure, instant in-app messaging BIG BOOK & STEP WORK • Full 164 pages of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous • 70+ additional stories from early editions • Step-by-step guides on how to work all 12 Steps • Dedicated sections for completing your own step work RECOVERY CALCULATOR • Track your clean or sober time with detailed statistics, averages, and milestones INVENTORIES & DAILY PRACTICES • Comprehensive Step 4 moral inventory • Step 10 spot-check tool • Interactive “On Awakening” inventory • Nightly review with reminders • Hourly mindfulness and consciousness reminders READINGS & PRAYERS Readings included: • AA Preamble • How It Works • The 12 Traditions • Promises (pp. 83–84) • Just For Today • On Awakening • On Retiring • A Vision For You Prayers included: • Serenity Prayer (standard and extended) • 3rd Step Prayer • 7th Step Prayer • 11th Step Prayer • The Lord’s Prayer GRATITUDE, NOTES & SHARING • Create gratitude lists • Write personal notes and reflections • Share inventories, lists, and notes using standard iOS sharing tools PRIVACY & SECURITY • PIN lock • Face ID and Touch ID support • Local-only storage for your step work, inventories, and notes WORK ALL 12 STEPS – RIGHT INSIDE THE APP Step 1: Track your sobriety time with accurate calculations Step 2: Reflect and acknowledge acceptance Step 3: Record your decision and milestone Step 4: Complete a detailed moral inventory Step 5: Share your Step 4 with a sponsor or trusted person Steps 6 & 7: Record readiness and willingness for change Step 8: Build your amends list Step 9: Track your amends as you make them Step 10: Maintain daily awareness with spot-check inventories Step 11: Complete your nightly review Step 12: Continue carrying the message Everything is guided, organised, and easy to update. SUBSCRIPTION PRICING & TERMS • Annual subscription: $39.99/year • Quarterly subscription: $15.99 • Subscriptions provide unlimited, ad-free access to all premium features • One-time purchases are available for enhanced in-app connections Payment will be charged to your iTunes account at confirmation of purchase. Subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage your subscription in Account Settings. Any unused portion of a free trial, if offered, is forfeited when a subscription is purchased. Terms of Use: https://www.12steptoolkit.com/terms Privacy Policy: https://www.12steptoolkit.com/privacy IMPORTANT NOTICE This app is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Alcoholics Anonymous, AAWS, or any other 12-Step fellowship. “A.A.” and “Alcoholics Anonymous” are trademarks of A
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.
- AI Recovery Assistant (Kai)
- Voice chat support
- 12 Steps, SMART Recovery, CBT tools
- Self-discovery journals
- Resource library
- Progress tracking
- Calendar view
Read full descriptionHide 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
Verdict
The clearest difference is monetization model: OpenRecovery at free with in-app purchases against AA 12 Step Toolkit's subscription. OpenRecovery also leads on review sentiment (89% vs 63%) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 2 months). AA 12 Step Toolkit's advantage is ratings volume (3.6K vs 292) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases 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
Both are free to download. AA 12 Step Toolkit sells 11 in-app purchases, starting at $1.49 per 7 days and OpenRecovery sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for AA 12 Step Toolkit against 4.9 for OpenRecovery. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: AA 12 Step Toolkit has 3.6K ratings behind it against 292, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 63% of AA 12 Step Toolkit's written reviews are positive against 89% of OpenRecovery's.
AA 12 Step Toolkit ships an update every 2 months, OpenRecovery every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | AA 12 Step Toolkit | OpenRecovery |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (3.6K ratings) | 4.9 (292 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 63.2% of reviews | 88.6% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 3.6K — better | 292 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 2 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Subscription | Free with in-app purchases — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 49 MB | 110 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | Tushar Bhagat | Huxley Technologies, LLC |
Customer experience
AA 12 Step Toolkit
OpenRecovery
User reviews
AA 12 Step Toolkit
From 3.6K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 💡 Helpful for recovery
- 👍 Great reference tool
- 🚀 Integral part of recovery
- 👍 Useful for journaling and working steps
Room to improve
- 🐛 Technical issues (app crashes/closes)
- 💰 Expensive subscription
- 🔍 Too many ads/intrusive ads
- 🐛 App not working/crashing
OpenRecovery
From 292 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🤖 AI-powered Kai assistant provides personalized insights and support
- 💪 Highly effective for recovery accountability and habit building
- 🆓 Completely free with no in-app purchases or ads
- 🎯 Comprehensive 12-step program support with detailed step work
- 🌍 Inclusive of multiple recovery approaches (12-step, SMART Recovery, CBT, MAT)
Room to improve
- ⚠️ AI occasionally becomes mean or cruel in responses
- 🚫 Heavily focused on 12-step approach, less inclusive of non-religious paths
- 🐛 App freezes preventing forward progress in conversations
- ❌ Limited support for atheists and non-theists
- 🎭 Potential liability concerns with vulnerable user population
Bugs and requests
AA 12 Step Toolkit
Reported bugs
3 issues- Crashes when trying to add sobriety date
- Hourly reminders not working properly
- Login/sync issues
Requested features
3 requests- Ability to change time zone
- Improve sharing/connectivity features
- Reduce ads/make free version more usable
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
AA 12 Step Toolkit
- Weekly Subscription$1.497 Days
- Quarterly2 variants$9.993 Months
- Quarterly Subscription$15.993 Months
Show 3 moreShow fewer
- Annual$19.991 Year
- Annual Subscription7 Days trial$39.991 Year
- Annual Subscription$39.991 Year
- 3 Months Sponsee Upgrade$9.99
- 3 Months Unlock For 1 Sponsee$15.99
- 1 Year Sponsee Upgrade$19.99
Show 2 moreShow fewer
- 1 Year Unlock For 1 Sponsee$39.99
- Lifetime Access$99.99
OpenRecovery
- Monthly Premium Access14 Days trial$9.991 Month
Questions
Is AA 12 Step Toolkit free?
Is OpenRecovery free?
Which has better reviews, AA 12 Step Toolkit or OpenRecovery?
Do AA 12 Step Toolkit or OpenRecovery have ads?
Which is updated more often, AA 12 Step Toolkit or OpenRecovery?
Other comparisons















