first direct vs Currency Converter AI
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
first direct
Manage your finances on the go with this intuitive banking app. Check balances, view transactions, and send money to friends and family with ease. This app simplifies everyday money management with a host of features designed for convenience.
- Check account balances
- View transaction history
- Pay friends and family
- Simplified money management
- Intuitive user interface
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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in accordance with our App terms and conditions • Use in accordance with Apple terms and conditions • This app may be withdrawn at any time, but we’ll always keep you in the loop.
Currency Converter AI
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Currency Converter Spy is a currency converter and live exchange rate app for iPhone and iPad. Convert on one screen, track the currencies you use for travel or shopping abroad, and see every amount update as you type. Optional Currency Converter Spy Plus adds rate charts, rate watches, Currency AI for travel money questions, and extra widgets. CONVERT THE CURRENCIES YOU ACTUALLY USE Build a watchlist, tap a row to enter an amount, reorder currencies, and copy or share a figure in seconds. One screen for a bill abroad, a taxi quote, online checkout, or a quick check before you pay. LIVE MID-MARKET EXCHANGE RATES Rates are live mid-market figures. They can differ from the rate a bank, card, or bureau applies. When spot FX markets close over the weekend, the app tells you the market is closed. WORKS OFFLINE If you lose signal, the converter keeps the last rates it downloaded so you can still convert until a refresh succeeds. SYNC ACROSS IPHONE AND IPAD No account to create. Currencies, settings, and history can sync with iCloud when iCloud is on for Currency Converter Spy. WIDGETS Add Last Conversion or Exchange Rate widgets to your Home Screen or Lock Screen. On iOS 18 and later, open the converter from a Lock Screen control. Plus members can add Exchange Rates and Historical Charts widgets. MAKE IT YOURS Choose light, dark, or a colour theme in Settings. Your theme syncs with iCloud and Home Screen widgets. PLUS (OPTIONAL) Plus adds more to the converter: • Extra currency rows for a bigger trip • Full conversion history • Live rate charts and chart sharing • Rate watches when a pair hits a number you set • Currency AI for travel money and live rate questions (information only, not financial advice) • Plus widgets for exchange rates and historical charts Try Plus free for 3 days, subject to conditions and availability. Currency AI is information only, not financial advice, and will not tell you when to buy or sell. Rate watches are Plus only. They ping you when a mid-market rate hits your number. That figure is information only, not a dealing quote or financial advice, and it will not tell you when to buy or sell. Watches stay quiet while weekend markets are closed. Currency Converter Spy Plus is an optional auto-renewing App Store subscription, charged to your Apple ID, and renews unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the period ends. Manage or cancel in Settings or your Apple ID subscription settings. Family Sharing is available. Use of the app implies you agree to the standard Apple Terms of Use (EULA): www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ and our terms: https://aiwebltd.co.uk/apps/currencyspy/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: first direct at none against Currency Converter AI's 3. first direct also leads on iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). Currency Converter AI's advantage is update cadence (every 4 days vs monthly). On price, ads 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
Both are free to download. Currency Converter AI sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. first direct asks for nothing beyond the download.
first direct ships an update monthly, Currency Converter AI every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on November 10, 2026 and November 6, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | first direct | Currency Converter AI |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.9 (2K ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 76.6% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 2K — better | — |
| Update frequency | Monthly | Every 4 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 319 MB | 8 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | first direct | AI WEB LTD |
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
Currency Converter AI
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
first direct
No in-app purchases
Currency Converter AI
- Plus Monthly3 Days trial$1.991 Month
- An espresso 99p$0.99
- A mug £1.99$1.99
Questions
Is first direct free?
Is Currency Converter AI free?
Do first direct or Currency Converter AI have ads?
Which is updated more often, first direct or Currency Converter AI?
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