Comparison

AARP Staying Sharp vs PaceMaker Senior

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

PaceMaker Senior

This app is designed for mature adults to easily track their daily steps with extra-large text and high contrast. Earn points for walking and reaching goals, with optional premium features for deeper insights.

Highlights
  • Extra-large step counter with progress ring
  • Three tiered daily goals (Mild, Intermediate, Aggressive)
  • Automatic points for steps and goal achievement
  • Earlybird and evening reflection bonuses
  • Milestone celebrations with inspiring quotes
  • Optional premium for custom goals and historical trends
Features
Read full description

Walk daily, feel more energized, and keep your independence. Made for mature adults who want a simple, no-fuss way to stay active. The only step counter with extra-large text, high contrast, and daily point rewards built for you. Tired of step counters with tiny text and cluttered menus? PaceMaker Senior puts your steps front and center in big, bold, easy-to-read numbers, so you can check in, see your progress, and get on with your day. KEY FEATURES Extra-large step counter with a bright amber progress ring you can read from across the room Three daily goals that fit you: Mild, Intermediate, or Aggressive, suggested from your own walking history Automatic points: earn 1 point for every 100 steps Goal bonuses: +100, +200, or +500 points when you reach your target Earlybird bonus: +50 points for a quick check-in before 9 AM Evening reflection: log how you’re feeling and earn another +50 points Milestone celebrations: unlock inspiring quotes from famous leaders and thinkers as your total points grow WORDS TO WALK BY “Above all, do not lose your desire to walk. Every day I walk myself into a state of well-being.” — Søren Kierkegaard “Walking is the best possible exercise. Habituate yourself to walk very far.” — Thomas Jefferson “All truly great thoughts are conceived while walking.” — Friedrich Nietzsche “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” — Lao Tzu FREE TO START, PREMIUM WHEN YOU’RE READY PaceMaker Senior is free to download, with step tracking, tiered daily goals, and check-in rewards included. Unlock Premium with a one-time $1.99 purchase (no subscription) to set your own custom goal targets and explore deeper historical energy trends, so you can see how your walking and your well-being move together over time. START YOUR FIRST WALK TODAY Download PaceMaker Senior now, take your first morning check-in tomorrow before 9 AM, and claim your first Earlybird bonus. Walk a little. Feel the difference. Keep your independence, one step at a time.

Screenshots

AARP Staying Sharp4 screens
PaceMaker Senior4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: PaceMaker Senior at daily against AARP Staying Sharp's every 5 weeks. PaceMaker Senior also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.7). AARP Staying Sharp's advantage is ratings volume (3.2K vs 1) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.0). On price, ads, 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 PaceMaker Senior sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

PaceMaker Senior holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: AARP Staying Sharp has 3.2K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

AARP Staying Sharp ships an update every 5 weeks, PaceMaker Senior daily. The most recent releases landed on October 27, 2026 and October 26, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
AARP Staying Sharp versus PaceMaker Senior: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAARP Staying SharpPaceMaker Senior
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (3.2K ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews52.4% of reviews—
Number of ratings3.2K — better1
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeksDaily — better
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size76 MB13 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperAARPGideon Chan

Customer experience

AARP Staying Sharp

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

PaceMaker Senior

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

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

PaceMaker Senior

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

1 purchases

AARP Staying Sharp

Subscriptions1
  • AARP Membership1 Year trial$20.001 Year
1 purchases

PaceMaker Senior

One-time1
  • Premium$1.99

Questions

Is AARP Staying Sharp free?
AARP Staying Sharp is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is PaceMaker Senior free?
PaceMaker Senior is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, AARP Staying Sharp or PaceMaker Senior?
PaceMaker Senior is rated higher. AARP Staying Sharp averages 4.7 out of 5 from 3.2K ratings, while PaceMaker Senior averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do AARP Staying Sharp or PaceMaker Senior have ads?
Both AARP Staying Sharp and PaceMaker Senior show ads.
Which is updated more often, AARP Staying Sharp or PaceMaker Senior?
AARP Staying Sharp ships an update every 5 weeks, and PaceMaker Senior daily. Most recently, AARP Staying Sharp was updated on October 27, 2026 and PaceMaker Senior on October 26, 2026.

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