# 12 Steps Companion vs AA 4th Step

The clearest difference is monetization model: AA 4th Step at free against 12 Steps Companion's paid. AA 4th Step also leads on review sentiment (79% vs 71%) and iOS requirement (8.0 vs 15.0). 12 Steps Companion's advantage is chart position (#5 vs unranked). On price, rating, ratings volume and update cadence there is nothing between them.

12 Steps Companion costs $2.99 and AA 4th Step $2.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.5 for 12 Steps Companion against 4.5 for AA 4th Step. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 144 and 103 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 71% of 12 Steps Companion's written reviews are positive against 79% of AA 4th Step's.

12 Steps Companion ships an update every 2 months, AA 4th Step monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | 12 Steps Companion | AA 4th Step |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $2.99 | $2.99 |
| Rating | [4.5 (144 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/12-steps-companion/id295775656/reviews) | **[4.5 (103 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aa-4th-step/id955818803/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **144** | 103 |
| Positive reviews | 70.8% of reviews | **79.4% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | **#5** | — |
| Size | 42 MB | 27 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **8.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 12+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Dean Huff](https://appshunter.io/developer/295775659) | [12 Step Apps LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/947529610) |

## What reviewers say

### 12 Steps Companion

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/12-steps-companion/id295775656)

**Currently charting:** #5 Top Paid · Lifestyle, #196 Top Paid (US App Store)

This app provides a modernized digital version of the Big Book for Alcoholics Anonymous members. It features a sobriety calculator, notes, contact database, and a powerful search function to aid in recovery.

**Highlights:** Modernized Big Book reader, Dark mode and adjustable font size, Enhanced sobriety calculator with widgets, AA contacts database with integrated maps, Powerful search and concordance tool, Collection of prayers and promises, Note-taking and sharing capabilities

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use and navigate
- 📚 Comprehensive AA literature
- 📱 Convenient mobile access
- ✨ Sobriety calculator included
- 🔍 Effective search feature (when working)

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Search feature often crashes app
-  outdated content (older editions)
- 📚 Missing specific stories/prayers
- 🐛 Data loss after reinstallation/updates
- 🐛 Sobriety calculator inaccuracies

**Reported bugs**

- Search feature kicks user off the app
- App crashes after using search feature
- Lost bookmarks after deleting and reinstalling
- Lost all data after deleting and reinstalling
- Sobriety counter is off by a day or more

**Requested features**

- Add newer editions of AA literature
- Include specific missing stories (e.g., acceptance prayer, resentment prayer, Dr. Paul's story, Acceptance is the Answer)
- Update preamble and conference-approved material
- Include the 12x12 text
- Add the AA World Service Manual


### AA 4th Step

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aa-4th-step/id955818803)

Securely record your 4th Step Inventory on your iPhone. This app offers a convenient way to complete your inventory, with options to type or speak answers, and securely email or print your results. It's designed for members to manage their inventory privately and efficiently.

**Highlights:** 100% Vault Secure storage, Type or speak answers, Resentment, Fear, and Sexual Conduct Inventories, Prompt lists for memory jogging, Secure PDF email/print options, Daily reminder notifications, Auto-lock and secure data deletion

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is 12 Steps Companion free?

12 Steps Companion costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is AA 4th Step free?

AA 4th Step costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, 12 Steps Companion or AA 4th Step?

AA 4th Step is rated higher. 12 Steps Companion averages 4.5 out of 5 from 144 ratings, while AA 4th Step averages 4.5 from 103 ratings.

### Do 12 Steps Companion or AA 4th Step have ads?

Neither 12 Steps Companion nor AA 4th Step shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, 12 Steps Companion or AA 4th Step?

12 Steps Companion ships an update every 2 months, and AA 4th Step monthly. Most recently, 12 Steps Companion was updated on October 21, 2026 and AA 4th Step on October 20, 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.*