Comparison

FactSet 2.0 (legacy) vs AlphaSense

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

Head to head
About

FactSet 2.0 (legacy)

Access real-time market data, news, and research for companies, funds, and indices. This legacy version is being retired and users should migrate to the newer FactSet 3.0 app.

Highlights
  • Real-time market information
  • Company, fund, and index research
  • Up-to-the-minute news
  • Personalized company universe
  • Mobile access
Read full description

*NOTE* The FactSet app is for subscribers to FactSet only! *This version of FactSet will be retired soon.* Please download our newest app "FactSet 3.0" on the app store here: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/factset-3-0/id1464041112 FactSet has been Transforming Information Into Intelligence for over 30 years, and is now doing so on the iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad. FactSet allows you to access up to the minute market information, news, and research on the universe of companies, funds, and indices that are most important to you. To log into the app, enter your corporate email address or FactSet email ID. A temporary six-digit passcode will be sent to your email. If you're on your iPad, tap the link in the email. If the email is not on your iPad, simply enter the passcode on your iPad and tap the Log In button to activate FactSet for iPad. If you need assistance, please see Online Assistant page 20689, contact your FactSet Consultant, the Help Desk (877-FACTSET), or support@factset.com. We appreciate ratings/reviews from our clients, but for support issues or questions please contact the FactSet Help Desk or your Consultant.

About

AlphaSense

Access AI-powered business insights and trusted answers from a vast library of premium documents. Prepare for meetings, monitor market events in real-time, and organize your research on the go. Ideal for professionals needing to make swift, confident decisions.

Highlights
  • AI-powered answers from premium documents
  • Real-time market event monitoring
  • Live earnings call transcripts
  • Push notifications for companies/topics
  • Organized research across devices
  • Mobile-optimized premium content search
Features
Read full description

AlphaSense is the AI platform for professionals who need to make critical decisions with speed and confidence. Go beyond web search and get instant, AI-powered answers from a deep library of business content—all in your pocket. Prep for a meeting in minutes, track companies or topics on the go, and listen to expert interviews during your commute. AlphaSense is used daily by decision-makers who can't afford to be a step behind. No more hunting for documents or missing key data points when you're away from your desk. With the AlphaSense app, you can: • Get trusted answers, instantly: Ask any business question to get a verifiable answer powered by generative AI and synthesized from hundreds of millions of premium documents. • Monitor events in real time: Experience market-moving events, the moment they happen. Stream earnings calls, follow transcripts live, and get push notifications on companies and topics that matter. • Pinpoint answers, anywhere: Search across a library of premium content, from expert calls and exclusive broker research to SEC filings and press releases—all optimized for mobile to help you move fast and prep on the go. • Organize research in one place: Move seamlessly between desktop and mobile by accessing your saved searches, bookmarks, and notes. Keep your research connected, wherever you are. Trusted by the world’s leading corporations, consulting firms, and financial institutions. Download AlphaSense today and never miss an insight.

Screenshots

FactSet 2.0 (legacy)4 screens
AlphaSense4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: AlphaSense at 4.4 against FactSet 2.0 (legacy)'s 4.0. AlphaSense also leads on review sentiment (50% vs 31%) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months). FactSet 2.0 (legacy)'s advantage is iOS requirement (14.0 vs 18.0). On price, ratings volume, 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

AlphaSense holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 50 and 81 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 31% of FactSet 2.0 (legacy)'s written reviews are positive against 50% of AlphaSense's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

FactSet 2.0 (legacy) ships an update every 2 months, AlphaSense every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 22, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
FactSet 2.0 (legacy) versus AlphaSense: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFactSet 2.0 (legacy)AlphaSense
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (50 ratings)4.4 (81 ratings) — better
Positive reviews30.9% of reviews50.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings5081 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS14.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size94 MB37 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFactSet Research Systems, Inc.AlphaSense Inc.

Customer experience

FactSet 2.0 (legacy)

All ratings50 ratings
Positive68.0%
Neutral14.0%
Negative18.0%
Written reviews55 reviews
Positive30.9%
Neutral9.1%
Negative60.0%

AlphaSense

All ratings81 ratings
Positive86.4%
Neutral0.0%
Negative13.6%
Written reviews12 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

Bugs and requests

FactSet 2.0 (legacy)

Reported bugs

14 issues
  • Cannot find watchlists made on desktop
  • Cannot find internal research notes
  • Event listening feature requires phone to remain unlocked
  • Audio in events calendar does not work
  • App crashes when opening
Show 9 more
  • App crashes after update
  • PDFs stop rendering properly
  • App freezes and shuts off
  • App spins and kicks out
  • Research from email alert crashes app
  • App crashes on startup
  • App goes to background on iPad
  • App won't swivel to landscape
  • Half portfolio screen obscured by empty box

Requested features

6 requests
  • Set stock alerts directly from the app
  • Simple price alerts
  • More chart features (time frames)
  • Rename portfolio groups through the app
  • More customization
Show 1 more
  • UI facelift

AlphaSense

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

FactSet 2.0 (legacy)

No in-app purchases

None

AlphaSense

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is FactSet 2.0 (legacy) free?
FactSet 2.0 (legacy) is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is AlphaSense free?
AlphaSense is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, FactSet 2.0 (legacy) or AlphaSense?
AlphaSense is rated higher. FactSet 2.0 (legacy) averages 4.0 out of 5 from 50 ratings, while AlphaSense averages 4.4 from 81 ratings.
Do FactSet 2.0 (legacy) or AlphaSense have ads?
Neither FactSet 2.0 (legacy) nor AlphaSense shows ads.
Which is updated more often, FactSet 2.0 (legacy) or AlphaSense?
FactSet 2.0 (legacy) ships an update every 2 months, and AlphaSense every 3 weeks. Most recently, FactSet 2.0 (legacy) was updated on October 22, 2026 and AlphaSense on October 24, 2026.

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