# Ascend vs Step Counter

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Step Counter at none against Ascend's 6. Step Counter also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 78%) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 5 months). Ascend's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and rating (4.2 vs 4.0). On price, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Ascend sells 6 one-off in-app purchases. Step Counter asks for nothing beyond the download.

Ascend holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 14 and 4 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 78% of Ascend's written reviews are positive against 100% of Step Counter's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Ascend ships an update every 5 months, Step Counter every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Ascend | Step Counter |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.2 (14 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ascend-floor-counter/id1493411512/reviews)** | [4.0 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/step-counter-pedometer/id1543625889/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **14** | 4 |
| Positive reviews | 77.8% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Ad-supported** |
| Size | 7 MB | 6 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **15.6** |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Eddie Koranek](https://appshunter.io/developer/888930672) | [WALABOK LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/913827467) |

## What reviewers say

### Ascend

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ascend-floor-counter/id1493411512)

This app visually tracks your daily stair climbing by using your Apple Health data. Set goals, monitor your progress with dynamic charts, and earn achievements for your efforts. It offers personalized themes to customize your experience.

**Highlights:** Integrates with Apple Health, Dynamic tracking charts and graphs, Daily, weekly, monthly, and lifetime tracking, Personal record tracking, Real-life equivalent achievements, Personalized themes and icons

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Small Tip | $0.99 | one-time |
| Feature Unlock | $1.99 | one-time |
| Coffee sized tip | $2.99 | one-time |
| Feature Unlock | $2.99 | one-time |
| Feature Unlock | $3.99 | one-time |
| Lunch sized tip | $4.99 | one-time |


### Step Counter

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/step-counter-pedometer/id1543625889)

Track your daily steps and physical activity with this iPhone-based pedometer. Set daily goals and monitor your progress with a simple interface and icon badge updates. Review your weekly history to stay motivated on your fitness journey.

**Highlights:** Automatic step detection, Daily progress tracking, Icon badge step count, Weekly history review, Customizable interface

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Ascend free?

Ascend is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Step Counter free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Ascend or Step Counter?

Ascend is rated higher. Ascend averages 4.2 out of 5 from 14 ratings, while Step Counter averages 4.0 from 4 ratings.

### Do Ascend or Step Counter have ads?

Step Counter shows ads; Ascend does not.

### Which is updated more often, Ascend or Step Counter?

Ascend ships an update every 5 months, and Step Counter every 2 months. Most recently, Ascend was updated on October 24, 2026 and Step Counter on October 12, 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.*