# first direct vs Monese

first direct and Monese both sit at 4.9 stars, but that hides the real split: 77% of first direct's written reviews are positive against 19% of Monese's. first direct also leads on ads (none vs shown) and monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). On price, rating, ratings volume and update cadence there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

first direct holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2K and 2.4K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 77% of first direct's written reviews are positive against 19% of Monese's.

first direct ships an update monthly, Monese every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | first direct | Monese |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.9 (2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/first-direct/id405905004/reviews)** | [4.7 (2.4K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/monese-a-banking-alternative/id1102793407/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 2K | **2.4K** |
| Positive reviews | **76.5% of reviews** | 18.8% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 271 MB | 203 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [first direct](https://appshunter.io/developer/405905007) | [Monese LTD](https://appshunter.io/developer/1102793406) |

## What reviewers say

### first direct

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/first-direct/id405905004)

Manage your finances on the go with this intuitive mobile banking application. Easily check balances, view transactions, and transfer funds to friends and family. This app simplifies everyday money management, with more enhancements planned for the future.

**Highlights:** Check account balances, View transaction history, Pay family and friends, Simplified money management, Mobile banking convenience

**Features:** Apple Wallet

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 🚀 Fast and accurate
- 🔒 Excellent security
- 💡 Helpful customer service
- 👍 Consistent and reliable

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional app crashes
- 🔒 Overly complex security measures
- 💡 Outdated and basic design
- 🔒 Frustrating authentication process
- 🐛 Buggy cheque deposit feature

**Reported bugs**

- App freezing and crashing
- Issues with cheque deposit functionality
- Problems with multi-device authentication
- Inconsistent behavior when updating payee details

**Requested features**

- Dark mode option
- Improved transaction history and insights
- Ability to edit scheduled payments and payees
- Streamlined payment flow
- Better categorization and budgeting tools


### Monese

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/monese-a-banking-alternative/id1102793407)

This app offers a digital banking alternative, allowing users to manage multiple currencies, send and receive money internationally, and access a contactless debit card. It provides budgeting tools, real-time notifications, and features like savings pots and virtual cards for secure online payments.

**Highlights:** Multi-currency accounts (GBP, EUR, RON), Contactless Mastercard debit card, International money transfers, Virtual card for online payments, Savings pots, Real-time spending notifications, Credit score building (UK only)

**Features:** Siri integration, Apple Wallet, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is first direct free?

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

### Is Monese free?

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

### Which has better reviews, first direct or Monese?

first direct is rated higher. first direct averages 4.9 out of 5 from 2K ratings, while Monese averages 4.7 from 2.4K ratings.

### Do first direct or Monese have ads?

Monese shows ads; first direct does not.

### Which is updated more often, first direct or Monese?

first direct ships an update monthly, and Monese every 3 weeks. Most recently, first direct was updated on October 20, 2026 and Monese on October 21, 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.*