# first direct vs Pensions By Penfold

The clearest difference is ads: first direct at none against Pensions By Penfold's shown. first direct also leads on monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). On price, review sentiment, update cadence and in-app purchases 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 ships an update monthly, Pensions By Penfold every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | first direct | Pensions By Penfold |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.9 (2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/first-direct/id405905004/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **2K** | — |
| Positive reviews | **76.5% of reviews** | 76.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Monthly** | Every 6 weeks |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 271 MB | 23 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) | [Penfold](https://appshunter.io/developer/1489598369) |

## 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- 💡 Outdated and basic design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


### Pensions By Penfold

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pensions-by-penfold/id1503716125)

Manage your retirement savings with an intuitive platform that simplifies pension transfers and contributions. Easily track down old pensions, make flexible payments, and choose from various investment funds. Get expert support and transparent fees for a confident financial future.

**Highlights:** Transfer old pensions for free, Find lost pensions, Flexible contributions, Multiple investment funds, Low transparent fees, Expert customer support

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, 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 Pensions By Penfold free?

Pensions By Penfold is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do first direct or Pensions By Penfold have ads?

Pensions By Penfold shows ads; first direct does not.

### Which is updated more often, first direct or Pensions By Penfold?

first direct ships an update monthly, and Pensions By Penfold every 6 weeks. Most recently, first direct was updated on October 20, 2026 and Pensions By Penfold on October 14, 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.*