Comparison

AARP Staying Sharp vs Bold

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

Head to head
About

AARP Staying Sharp

This app offers science-based challenges and expert advice to improve brain health, focusing on memory, focus, and digital well-being. It provides interactive tools and exercises to help users build lasting, brain-healthy habits.

Highlights
  • Science-based brain health challenges
  • Expert advice on memory and focus
  • Digital decluttering strategies
  • Interactive tools and exercises
  • Progress saving across devices
  • Earn AARP Rewards points
Features
Read full description

Need to learn a variety of healthy-lifestyle skills? The AARP™ Staying Sharp® app is based on a holistic, lifestyle-based approach to brain health and features expert advice on memory, focus and more. Are you sometimes irritated by little memory slips like forgetting where you placed your keys or phone? In our “Memory Loss – Is it Inevitable?” challenge, you can learn how memory works. In addition, our Digital Declutter challenge teaches you ways to manage your digital world. Discover strategies for shifting technology away from being a distracting force in your life and into something that helps you live life more fully. And if you’re tired of forgetting details about new people you meet, our Faces & Names challenge can help you learn the secrets of those impressive people who never forget a name. Here’s what the app lets you do: Take challenges that are designed to help you learn about the brain and its ongoing health, including tips to incorporate healthy habits into your daily life. Take Staying Sharp challenges on the go. Your progress will be saved, no matter where you start or stop your challenge. And that works on a smartphone, computer or tablet. Who can use the app? Anyone can download and preview the Staying Sharp® app. AARP members and other authorized users have access to it. Plus, there’s more. Access includes the following: * Take the challenges to earn AARP Rewards points*. This loyalty program lets you gain points for participating in activities, including eligible Staying Sharp challenges. * Take advantage of easy access to the AARP Now app. This app lets users tap into news, events and savings, plus earn AARP Rewards points. *Unused AARP Rewards points expire 12 months after they are earned, in monthly batches on a rolling basis. About Staying Sharp and AARP Staying Sharp is an AARP program that shows you how to incorporate the six pillars of brain health into your life. Staying Sharp empowers you to develop meaningful and lasting brain-healthy practices that are based on these pillars: Be social, Eat right, Manage stress, do Ongoing exercise, get Restorative sleep and Engage your brain. The program has received industry recognition in multiple national competitions — including the Digital Health Awards and eHealthcare Awards — earning accolades for videos, interactive content and site design. AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to the more than 100 million Americans 50-plus and their families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also produces the nation’s largest circulation publications: AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. Terms of Service: https://stayingsharp.aarp.org/about/terms-of-service/ Privacy Policy: https://www.aarp.org/privacy/privacy-policy/

About

Bold

This app offers science-backed, personalized exercise programs for adults 65+ to improve balance and reduce pain. Access live classes, a vast library of on-demand workouts, and progress tracking to enhance your strength and well-being at home.

Highlights
  • Personalized exercise plans
  • Daily live classes
  • 500+ on-demand classes
  • Progress tracking
  • Expert-designed programs
Read full description

Bold is an at-home, online exercise program designed to help adults 65+ live their strongest, happiest, and healthiest lives. Designed by expert physicians, physical therapists, kinesiologists, and certified trainers, Bold provides science-backed, personalized exercise programs for adults aged 65 and above. Our proven balance programs decrease the risk of falls by more than 40%, while our pain programs effectively reduce joint pain by over 50%. Bold is available at no cost through select health plans. You may also sign up and use your flex card benefits or pay out-of-pocket for a membership. Bold Features: Personalized Program: Tailored exercise plans led by experts, customized for your fitness level, health conditions, and goals. Live Classes: Join daily live sessions with fellow Bold members. Explore 500+ Classes: Diversify your routine with online classes you can take any time, anywhere, including yoga, strength, tai chi, cardio, and more. Track Your Progress: Set and achieve goals, receive timely reminders, and celebrate milestones with our progress-tracking features. “I was delighted with the breadth of classes offered, the instruction was really good, I could do it at home, and I could do it at my convenience.” - Gerrie, 75 Feedback? Contact us at hello@agebold.com

Screenshots

AARP Staying Sharp4 screens
Bold4 screens

Verdict

The call

AARP Staying Sharp and Bold both sit at 4.7 stars, but that hides the real split: 96% of Bold's written reviews are positive against 52% of AARP Staying Sharp's. Bold also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (weekly vs every 5 weeks). On price, rating, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. AARP Staying Sharp sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $20.00 per year and Bold sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $34.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for AARP Staying Sharp against 4.8 for Bold. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3K and 12K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 52% of AARP Staying Sharp's written reviews are positive against 96% of Bold's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

AARP Staying Sharp ships an update every 5 weeks, Bold weekly. Both last shipped on September 25, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
AARP Staying Sharp versus Bold: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAARP Staying SharpBold
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (3K ratings)4.8 (12K ratings) — better
Positive reviews52.4% of reviews96.4% of reviews — better
Number of ratings3K12K — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeksWeekly — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS15.0 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size76 MB99 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperAARPAge Bold

Customer experience

AARP Staying Sharp

All ratings2,705 ratings
Positive93.5%
Neutral4.3%
Negative2.2%
Written reviews42 reviews
Positive52.4%
Neutral4.8%
Negative42.9%

Bold

All ratings11,918 ratings
Positive96.9%
Neutral2.5%
Negative0.7%
Written reviews137 reviews
Positive96.4%
Neutral0.0%
Negative3.6%

User reviews

AARP Staying Sharp

From 3K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Helpful and practical exercises
  • 🧠 Effective for improving mental sharpness
  • 🎮 Fun and engaging games
  • 🔍 Useful for monitoring brain health
  • 💡 Recommended by healthcare professionals

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Recurring login issues
  • 🚫 Limited game selection
  • 🔁 Endless login loops
  • 🤯 Confusing user experience
  • 🚫 Inaccessible games

Bold

From 12K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Variety of class options
  • 👍 Tailored to user's abilities
  • 👍 Engaging instructors
  • 👍 Convenient home workouts
  • 👍 Helps maintain balance and strength

Room to improve

  • 🐛 App and website glitches
  • 🔊 Loud music volume

Bugs and requests

AARP Staying Sharp

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Games not launching properly
  • App freezing or crashing
  • Inability to access core features

Requested features

4 requests
  • Expand game library
  • Improve login and navigation experience
  • Add more accessibility features
  • Provide clearer instructions and guidance

Bold

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Progress not tracked properly
  • Casting issues

Requested features

2 requests
  • More music options
  • Improved app and website stability

In-app purchases

1 purchases

AARP Staying Sharp

Subscriptions1
  • AARP Membership1 Year trial$20.001 Year
3 purchases

Bold

Subscriptions3
  • Bold Premium$34.991 Month
  • Bold Premium$156.996 Months
  • Bold Premium$249.001 Year

Questions

Is AARP Staying Sharp free?
AARP Staying Sharp is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Bold free?
Bold is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, AARP Staying Sharp or Bold?
Bold is rated higher. AARP Staying Sharp averages 4.7 out of 5 from 3K ratings, while Bold averages 4.8 from 12K ratings.
Do AARP Staying Sharp or Bold have ads?
AARP Staying Sharp shows ads; Bold does not.
Which is updated more often, AARP Staying Sharp or Bold?
AARP Staying Sharp ships an update every 5 weeks, and Bold weekly. Most recently, AARP Staying Sharp was updated on September 25, 2026 and Bold on September 25, 2026.

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