# Status Smart vs GOV.UK ID Check

The clearest difference is update cadence: GOV.UK ID Check at every 3 weeks against Status Smart's every 6 months. GOV.UK ID Check also leads on ratings volume (5.2K vs 2). Status Smart's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.8) and iOS requirement (14.0 vs 16.7). On price, review sentiment, 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.

Status Smart holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: GOV.UK ID Check has 5.2K ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 32% of Status Smart's written reviews are positive against 38% of GOV.UK ID Check's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Status Smart ships an update every 6 months, GOV.UK ID Check every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and November 7, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Status Smart | GOV.UK ID Check |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/status-smart/id1473472739/reviews)** | [4.8 (5.2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/govuk-id-check/id1629050566/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 2 | **5.2K** |
| Positive reviews | 31.7% of reviews | **38.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 208 MB | 28 MB |
| Requires iOS | **14.0** | 16.7 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Status International (UK) Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/1473472738) | [Government Digital Service](https://appshunter.io/developer/1629043539) |

## What reviewers say

### Status Smart

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/status-smart/id1473472739)

Control your home appliances remotely from anywhere. Manage multiple devices simultaneously, set timers for automated functions, and easily share device access with family members. Quick and simple connection to your smart devices.

**Highlights:** Remote appliance control, Simultaneous device management, Automated timers, Family device sharing, Easy device connection

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use app
- 💡 Good for basic control
- 🏠 Works well with Alexa
- 💰 Good value for money
- 🚀 Straightforward setup (for some)

**What reviewers complain about**

- ❌ Difficult pairing process
- 🐛 App frequently crashes/freezes
- ❌ Connectivity issues
- ⚠️ Privacy concerns (data collection)
- ❌ Poor usability in app

**Reported bugs**

- App keeps not working or huge delay
- Cannot get it to pair
- App freezes when trying to use it
- App doesn't log in anymore
- Network error

**Requested features**

- Allow minute adjustment for cost periods
- Implement swiping for graph/date navigation
- Add calendar view for specific date selection
- Add confirmation for switching off plugs
- Allow floating point numbers for usage/cost reminders


### GOV.UK ID Check

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/govuk-id-check/id1629050566)

This app verifies your identity by matching your face to your photo ID. It's used for accessing certain government services and managing your GOV.UK One Login security codes. Supported IDs include UK driving licences, passports, and biometric permits.

**Highlights:** Facial recognition matching, Photo ID scanning, Biometric chip scanning (for passports/permits), Secure data handling, Supports multiple UK photo IDs, Identity confirmation for government services

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Easy to use
- 🔒 Secure ID verification
- 👍 Clear instructions
- 🚀 Convenient
- 👍 Impressive technology

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Scanning issues with passport chip
- 🐛 Compatibility issues with certain devices/phones
- 🐛 Crashes and errors
- 👓 Difficult for users with vision impairments
- ⏱️ Time-consuming process

**Reported bugs**

- Inconsistent passport chip scanning
- Facial recognition failures
- App crashes and freezes
- Incorrect name/information parsing

**Requested features**

- Improved instructions for passport chip scanning
- Support for more ID types (e.g. driver's licenses)
- Accessibility features for users with disabilities
- Streamlined process for frequent users


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Status Smart free?

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

### Is GOV.UK ID Check free?

GOV.UK ID Check is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Status Smart or GOV.UK ID Check?

Status Smart is rated higher. Status Smart averages 5.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while GOV.UK ID Check averages 4.8 from 5.2K ratings.

### Do Status Smart or GOV.UK ID Check have ads?

Neither Status Smart nor GOV.UK ID Check shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Status Smart or GOV.UK ID Check?

Status Smart ships an update every 6 months, and GOV.UK ID Check every 3 weeks. Most recently, Status Smart was updated on November 3, 2026 and GOV.UK ID Check on November 7, 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.*