Comparison

first direct vs eQ Mobile

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

Head to head
About

first direct

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
Read full description

Your everyday just got a whole lot easier. Even better banking has arrived. At the coffee shop, deciding if it’s a skinny soy latte or a cup of tea. In a taxi stuck in traffic, wondering how much you’ve saved for your trip to Machu Picchu. On a rollercoaster, planning the decorations for your dog’s third birthday party… Wherever you are, whatever you’re doing, our new and improved mobile app makes banking even simpler. From checking your balances and viewing transactions to paying family and friends, mobile banking takes all the hassle out of everyday money stuff. You can now do more than ever from the comfort of your own phone - and if that’s not exciting enough, this is just the start of our mini digital revolution, with loads more improvements on the way. So go on. Get yourself up to date. Update now >> • Free to use, but providers may charge for download and usage • Use in accordance with local laws and check charges if using abroad • Use in accordance with our App terms and conditions • Use in accordance with Apple terms and conditions • This app may be withdrawn at any time, but we’ll always keep you in the loop.

About

eQ Mobile

Read full description

Corporate Banking on the go. eQ Mobile is the companion to our eQ web service and is for all eQ users. Protected by biometrics, our highly secure app lets you authorise batches of payments, view account balances and historic transactions, on the move. From anywhere. You can use the app as an alternative to card & reader to log in to your eQ web profile. Key Features Quick and easy setup with your existing eQ credentials. Authorise payments on the move. Payment approval with iOS devices that use biometrics. View accounts and balances. View historic transactions. Log in to your eQ web profile. All without a Smartcard and reader. Security you can bank on. Providing biometric and advanced anti-fraud systems, our robust security checks make sure your business is protected. Keep your finances secure with Touch ID or Face ID and set a unique eQ Mobile keycode. Comprehensive support Access to eQ Mobile can be managed by your eQ system administrator. Get help and support from our handy 'How to' guides. You can call the eQ Helpdesk. Providing Feedback Our customers are at the heart of every decision we make for eQ Mobile - occasionally you may be prompted in the app to complete a short survey about your experience, which ensures we're shaping the app around your needs. We really appreciate your feedback. If you have suggestions or advice on how this app would work better for you, please contact the eQ Helpdesk. eQ Mobile is available exclusively to eQ customers. For more information visit www.rbsinternational.com/eqmobile

Screenshots

first direct4 screens
eQ Mobile4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: first direct at monthly against eQ Mobile's every 3 months. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

first direct ships an update monthly, eQ Mobile every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 2, 2026 and September 27, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
first direct versus eQ Mobile: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameterfirst directeQ Mobile
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (2K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews76.6% of reviews—
Number of ratings2K — better—
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS15.015.0
Further details — not scored
Size254 MB20 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developerfirst directNatWest Group plc

Bugs and requests

first direct

Reported bugs

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

Requested features

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

eQ Mobile

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

first direct

No in-app purchases

None

eQ Mobile

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is first direct free?
first direct is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is eQ Mobile free?
eQ Mobile is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do first direct or eQ Mobile have ads?
Neither first direct nor eQ Mobile shows ads.
Which is updated more often, first direct or eQ Mobile?
first direct ships an update monthly, and eQ Mobile every 3 months. Most recently, first direct was updated on October 2, 2026 and eQ Mobile on September 27, 2026.

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