# first direct vs eQ Mobile

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.

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

first direct ships an update monthly, eQ Mobile every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | first direct | eQ Mobile |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 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 | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Monthly** | Every 3 months |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Size | 271 MB | 21 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) | [NatWest Group plc](https://appshunter.io/developer/479351816) |

## 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- 💡 Outdated and basic design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


### eQ Mobile

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/eq-mobile/id1533659153)

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked 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 16, 2026 and eQ Mobile on October 13, 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.*