Comparison

PlayMaker Pro vs FirstDown PlayBook

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

Head to head
About

PlayMaker Pro

Create, display, and print playbooks for American Football, Canadian Football, or Basketball on your mobile device. Share playbooks via email or present them with animated visuals and embedded media. An in-app purchase unlocks full editing capabilities.

Highlights
  • Create and print playbooks
  • Display play cards with animation
  • Email playbooks to coaches/players
  • Team presentations with projector
  • Edit documents with in-app purchase
  • Transfer documents via cloud/email
Read full description

PlayMaker Pro for iOS enables you to display and print PlayMaker Pro documents for American Football, Canadian Football or Basketball on an iPad or iPhone. PlayMaker Pro documents can be created using the desktop versions of PlayMaker Pro. Transfer documents to your device with Macintosh Finder, iTunes File Sharing, iCloud Drive or E-Mail. iPad users can purchase the ability to edit PlayMaker Pro documents from within this App. After purchasing Document Editing, you can create and edit PlayMaker Pro documents, pages, players, lines, boxes and text. Email playbooks to coaches or players. Show play cards in color with animation on your iPad. Give team presentations with your projector including animation, player notes, scribbles, attached images and attached video. Don't take a pile of paper to practice, take your iPad. PlayMaker Pro is used by thousands of football teams worldwide to produce playbooks, handouts and presentations at all levels from the Pros down to youth leagues. PlayMaker Pro has been produced by BW Software in Ann Arbor Michigan since 1990.

About

FirstDown PlayBook

This app provides football coaches and players with instant access to their team's playbooks, scouting reports, and whiteboard tools. It allows for real-time updates and communication, making it a comprehensive tool for game preparation and sideline coaching.

Highlights
  • Access complete playbooks anywhere
  • Premium whiteboard and telestration tools
  • Interactive scouting reports
  • Real-time updates and notifications
  • Full-screen sideline coaching mode (tablet)
  • Offline report access
Read full description

Your football playbook. Anywhere. FirstDown PlayBook is the ultimate companion app for football coaches and players who need instant access to their team’s system. Whether you’re in the film room, at practice, traveling, or on the sideline during game day, FirstDown PlayBook is with you. Built to work seamlessly with the FirstDown PlayBook web platform, the app gives you real-time access to your playbooks, scouting reports, whiteboard tools, and coaching resources directly from your iPhone or iPad. NOTE: An active FirstDown PlayBook membership is required to use this app. FOR COACHES Access Your Entire System Anywhere - View your complete playbooks directly in the app - Instantly access plays, notes, videos, and coaching materials - Browse pre-built playbooks from professional and college coaches for all ages and type of football - Add new playbooks directly to your account Premium Whiteboard & Telestration Tools - Teach and communicate more effectively on the field with advanced presentation tools - Draw and annotate directly on plays - Zoom, spotlight, dim, and present key details - Use laser tools to focus player attention - Save whiteboard edits directly to your device - Instantly share marked-up plays with players and staff Full Screen Mode (Tablet Only) Turn your tablet into a powerful sideline coaching tool with: - Dedicated full-screen presentation mode for in-game sideline teaching - Optimized annotation and telestration controls - Fast in-game adjustments and communication Interactive Scouting Reports Bring your game prep everywhere: - Access interactive scouting reports on demand - Review plays, videos, notes, and play grids - View interactive depth charts and player profiles - Export reports directly to your device as PDFs or images - Download reports for offline access Stay Connected in Real Time - Receive push notifications when plays, playbooks, or reports are updated - Manage staff and player access instantly - Customize your experience with light mode, dark mode, and report themes FOR PLAYERS Study Smarter - Access your team playbooks anytime - Review plays, notes, and videos from one place - Prepare for practice and game day wherever you are Interactive Whiteboard Tools - Draw over plays and diagrams directly in the app - Save and export edits for offline review Scouting Reports On Demand - Review weekly opponent scouting reports - Access player profiles and depth charts - Download reports for offline viewing Never Miss an Update - Receive real-time notifications from your coaches - Know instantly when new playbooks and scouting reports are available From preparation to game day, FirstDown PlayBook keeps your entire system connected and accessible, wherever the game takes you.

Screenshots

PlayMaker Pro4 screens
FirstDown PlayBook4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: FirstDown PlayBook at 100% against PlayMaker Pro's 32%. FirstDown PlayBook also leads on rating (5.0 vs 2.7) and in-app purchases (none vs 2). PlayMaker Pro's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.1). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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. PlayMaker Pro sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. FirstDown PlayBook asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

FirstDown PlayBook holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 2.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 15 and 11 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 32% of PlayMaker Pro's written reviews are positive against 100% of FirstDown PlayBook's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PlayMaker Pro ships an update every 3 months, FirstDown PlayBook every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
PlayMaker Pro versus FirstDown PlayBook: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPlayMaker ProFirstDown PlayBook
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.7 (15 ratings)5.0 (11 ratings) — better
Positive reviews31.8% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings15 — better11
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size9 MB52 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBruce WilliamsPlaybook Tech

Customer experience

PlayMaker Pro

All ratings15 ratings
Positive40.0%
Neutral6.7%
Negative53.3%
Written reviews22 reviews
Positive31.8%
Neutral9.1%
Negative59.1%

FirstDown PlayBook

All ratings11 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

PlayMaker Pro

One-time1
  • Document Editing2 variants$49.99
None

FirstDown PlayBook

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is PlayMaker Pro free?
PlayMaker Pro is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is FirstDown PlayBook free?
FirstDown PlayBook is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, PlayMaker Pro or FirstDown PlayBook?
FirstDown PlayBook is rated higher. PlayMaker Pro averages 2.7 out of 5 from 15 ratings, while FirstDown PlayBook averages 5.0 from 11 ratings.
Do PlayMaker Pro or FirstDown PlayBook have ads?
Neither PlayMaker Pro nor FirstDown PlayBook shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PlayMaker Pro or FirstDown PlayBook?
PlayMaker Pro ships an update every 3 months, and FirstDown PlayBook every 2 months. Most recently, PlayMaker Pro was updated on November 1, 2026 and FirstDown PlayBook on October 31, 2026.

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