# AARP Now vs CalPenTab

The clearest difference is rating: AARP Now at 4.8 against CalPenTab's 3.0. AARP Now also leads on update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 15 months) and ratings volume (184K vs 2). CalPenTab's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 6) and ads (none vs shown). On price and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. AARP Now sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $20.00 per year. CalPenTab asks for nothing beyond the download.

AARP Now holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: AARP Now has 184K ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 28% of AARP Now's written reviews are positive against 50% of CalPenTab's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

AARP Now ships an update every 5 weeks, CalPenTab every 15 months. The most recent releases landed on November 5, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | AARP Now | CalPenTab |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (184K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aarp-now/id394286729/reviews)** | [3.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/calpentab/id1605820011/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **184K** | 2 |
| Positive reviews | 27.8% of reviews | **50.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 5 weeks** | Every 15 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | **#106** | — |
| Size | 186 MB | 11 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **11.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [AARP](https://appshunter.io/developer/394286732) | [churchme LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1384209471) |

## What reviewers say

### AARP Now

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aarp-now/id394286729)

**Currently charting:** #106 Top Grossing · Lifestyle, #144 Top Free · Lifestyle (US App Store)

Access personalized news, events, and member benefits on the go. This app provides a mobile gateway to your membership, offering curated content, digital publications, and local event listings. Easily manage your account and discover exclusive savings.

**Highlights:** Personalized news and alerts, Digital editions of AARP publications, Local and virtual event listings, Member discounts and nearby benefits, Digital membership card, Save articles and events for later, Access to AARP games

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

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Annual Membership Subscription | $20.00 | per year |
| AARP Membership 1 Year | $20.00 | one-time |
| AARP Membership 3 Years | $55.00 | one-time |
| AARP Renew Membership 3 Years | $55.00 | one-time |
| AARP Membership 5 Years | $79.00 | one-time |
| AARP Renew Membership 5 Years | $79.00 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Informative articles and content
- 👍 Useful for seniors and retirees
- 💡 Variety of features (games, workouts, community)

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent bugs and glitches
- 🤯 Clunky and frustrating user interface
- 💸 Ads despite paid membership
- 🤔 Inconsistent app behavior across devices

**Reported bugs**

- Login issues and repeated sign-ins required
- Rewards system not functioning properly
- Video/quiz content not loading or working as expected
- Compatibility problems on certain devices

**Requested features**

- Add ability to save/bookmark articles
- Improve navigation and flow between app and browser
- Optimize app for tablet/iPad usage
- Enhance rewards program and make it more reliable


### CalPenTab

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/calpentab/id1605820011)

Connect with your community and stay updated on all events and conversations. Watch videos and engage with content relevant to your interests. This app keeps you informed and involved.

**Highlights:** Join conversations, Stay updated on events, Watch videos, Community engagement

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is AARP Now free?

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

### Is CalPenTab free?

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

### Which has better reviews, AARP Now or CalPenTab?

AARP Now is rated higher. AARP Now averages 4.8 out of 5 from 184K ratings, while CalPenTab averages 3.0 from 2 ratings.

### Do AARP Now or CalPenTab have ads?

AARP Now shows ads; CalPenTab does not.

### Which is updated more often, AARP Now or CalPenTab?

AARP Now ships an update every 5 weeks, and CalPenTab every 15 months. Most recently, AARP Now was updated on November 5, 2026 and CalPenTab on November 3, 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.*