Comparison

APA! vs Embark Vet

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

APA!

Discover your ideal companion with this app, designed to connect you with adoptable pets. Filter your search based on your preferences, browse detailed profiles with photos and videos, and submit adoption inquiries directly.

Highlights
  • Pet matching based on preferences
  • Filtered search results
  • Save favorite pets
  • View pet photos and videos
  • Submit adoption inquiries
  • Notifications for new matches
Features
Read full description

Download the new APA! app, created by Third Rail Creative, today! Designed to help you find the perfect pet for your family, the APA! app brings the talents of our matchmakers to your handheld device. The Austin Pets Alive! mobile app is designed to help people in the Austin area find the pet right for you, whether you’re looking to adopt or foster. How it works: - Tell us what you are looking for in your furever friend - Get filtered results to make your experience even easier - Save a custom list of pets you’re considering - Browse information, pictures, and videos on our pets - Opt in for notifications of new matches - Submit your adoption inquiry directly from the app Austin Pets Alive! is not your average animal shelter. Our mission is to promote and provide the resources, education, and programs needed to eliminate the killing of animals. We pioneer innovative lifesaving programs designed to save the animals most at risk of euthanasia. This had led to several major accomplishments: - 60,000 lives saved since 2008 - 98% live-release rate for the city of Austin - 7 years as the largest No Kill city in the country

About

Embark Vet

Discover your dog's breed mix, health predispositions, and allergy risks with a simple DNA test. Connect with relatives and receive personalized care tips to build a stronger bond with your canine companion.

Highlights
  • Discover breed mix
  • Test for health risks
  • Understand allergy risks
  • Connect with relatives
  • Track test progress
  • Receive alerts
Features
Read full description

Know your dog. Better. Meet Embark, the highest-rated dog DNA test, trusted by millions of dog parents (and pups) across the world. With over 50,000 five-star reviews and developed by veterinarians , Embark makes it easy to understand your dog’s breed mix, allergy risk, health, relatives, and more. All from one simple swab. Whether you’re raising a goofy new puppy, helping a rescue feel at home, or just wondering where those giant ears came from, Embark gives you the science-backed insights you need to care smarter and build a stronger bond. Embark brings together dog DNA results, insights and care tips. Activate your kit, track your test, and explore your pup’s unique profile, all in one place. What you can do with the Embark app: ▸ Discover your dog’s breed mix Uncover your pup’s full ancestry with 99% accuracy. From Golden Retriever to Great Pyrenees, Embark analyzes over 350 breeds to reveal your dog’s unique story. ▸ Get ahead of health risks Get peace-of-mind by testing for 270+ genetic health conditions, including MDR1, and degenerative myelopathy. Get early insights into risks you can take action on & discuss with your vet. ▸ Understand allergy risks Discover your dog's genetic risk for four common allergy types—food, environmental, contact, and flea—and get expert, actionable tips to help you manage their care. ▸ Connect with your dog’s relatives See your dog’s DNA-based family tree and get matched with their siblings, parents, and extended relatives. Message their humans and build a bond with your pup’s extended pack. ▸ Never miss a moment Receive alerts when new relatives are found or new features are released. With Embark, you’ll always be the first to know as science unlocks more about your pup. ▸ Track your test every step of the way Use the app to activate your kit, monitor progress, and get notified the moment your results are ready. Already tested with Embark? Log in and start exploring. The Embark app requires purchase of an Embark DNA test. Download today to get started, access your results on the go, and discover what makes your dog truly one of a kind.

Screenshots

APA!4 screens
Embark Vet4 screens

Verdict

The call

APA! and Embark Vet both sit at 4.8 stars, but that hides the real split: 94% of Embark Vet's written reviews are positive against 50% of APA!'s. Embark Vet also leads on ratings volume (2.7K vs 17). APA!'s advantage is monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months). 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for APA! against 4.9 for Embark Vet. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Embark Vet has 2.7K ratings behind it against 17, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 50% of APA!'s written reviews are positive against 94% of Embark Vet's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

APA! ships an update every 3 weeks, Embark Vet every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
APA! versus Embark Vet: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAPA!Embark Vet
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (17 ratings)4.9 (2.7K ratings) — better
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews93.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings172.7K — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS10.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size39 MB24 MB
Age rating17+4+
Developer3RC, L.L.C.Embark Veterinary, Inc.

Customer experience

APA!

All ratings17 ratings
Positive94.1%
Neutral0.0%
Negative5.9%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

Embark Vet

All ratings2,567 ratings
Positive98.6%
Neutral0.5%
Negative1.0%
Written reviews310 reviews
Positive93.5%
Neutral1.0%
Negative5.5%

In-app purchases

None

APA!

No in-app purchases

None

Embark Vet

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is APA! free?
APA! is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Embark Vet free?
Embark Vet is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, APA! or Embark Vet?
Embark Vet is rated higher. APA! averages 4.8 out of 5 from 17 ratings, while Embark Vet averages 4.9 from 2.7K ratings.
Do APA! or Embark Vet have ads?
Neither APA! nor Embark Vet shows ads.
Which is updated more often, APA! or Embark Vet?
APA! ships an update every 3 weeks, and Embark Vet every 2 months. Most recently, APA! was updated on November 3, 2026 and Embark Vet on November 4, 2026.

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