AA Steps 8/9 vs OpenRecovery
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
AA Steps 8/9
This app helps users manage their 8th and 9th Step lists for Alcoholics Anonymous. It offers secure storage, relevant AA literature, and tools to track amends and progress.
- Secure Touch ID/Pass-code protection
- Integrated AA literature resources
- Tools for 8th Step harms and amends timing
- 9th Step amends review and status tracking
- Progress visualization meter
- Exportable PDF lists
- Shareable app link
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This free app was created by members for members to enter, organize, and track their 8th/9th Step list and amends, while providing pertinent AA literature for guidance and instructions. Features : • Secure: Touch ID / Pass-code for privacy of your entered information. • AA Resources: Detailed AA literature resources on the 8th and 9th Step to help guide and instruct you. Passages from the Big Book, 12 & 12, As Bill Sees It, Daily Reflections, and Emotional Sobriety. • 8th Step: Prompt lists, option to list “harms done”, decide on timing of the amends, and a special “became willing” button with additional AA “willingness resources” from AA literature. • 9th Step: Allows you to review or edit “harms done”, record what the amends will be, and choose a status (ie: scheduled, completed etc..). Sort 8th Step list by name, amends timing, or amends status. Edit or delete any entry easily. • Progress Meter: Helps visualize when you are “half way through” (working towards the 9th Step Promises) • Export File: Saves your list and amends in a spreadsheet format as a PDF file that can be texted or emailed to your sponsor, or printed for review. • Tell A Friend: Gives you the option to share a link to the app to a sponsee or anyone.
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
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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 price: OpenRecovery at Free against AA Steps 8/9's $2.99. OpenRecovery also leads on rating (4.9 vs 4.3) and ratings volume (292 vs 9). AA Steps 8/9's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and update cadence (every 4 days vs every 2 weeks). On 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
OpenRecovery is free to download; AA Steps 8/9 costs $2.99 up front. OpenRecovery sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $9.99 per month. AA Steps 8/9 asks for nothing beyond the download.
OpenRecovery holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: OpenRecovery has 292 ratings behind it against 9, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 100% of AA Steps 8/9's written reviews are positive against 89% of OpenRecovery's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
AA Steps 8/9 ships an update every 4 days, OpenRecovery every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 27, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | AA Steps 8/9 | OpenRecovery |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.3 (9 ratings) | 4.9 (292 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better | 88.9% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 9 | 292 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 4 days — better | Every 2 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | Free with in-app purchases — better |
| Best chart rank | #193 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 10.0 — better | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 25 MB | 110 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | 12 Step Apps LLC | Huxley Technologies, LLC |
Customer experience
AA Steps 8/9
OpenRecovery
Bugs and requests
AA Steps 8/9
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
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 Steps 8/9
No in-app purchases
OpenRecovery
- Monthly Premium Access14 Days trial$9.991 Month
Questions
Is AA Steps 8/9 free?
Is OpenRecovery free?
Which has better reviews, AA Steps 8/9 or OpenRecovery?
Do AA Steps 8/9 or OpenRecovery have ads?
Which is updated more often, AA Steps 8/9 or OpenRecovery?
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