IamResponding (IaR) vs Jostens VMI
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
IamResponding (IaR)
This app enhances emergency response by providing real-time incident information to first responders. It allows users to see who is responding, their location, and receive notifications. It also offers features like scheduling, messaging, and incident mapping.
- Real-time incident status
- Responder location tracking
- Incident notifications (text/audio)
- Duty crew scheduling
- Inter-agency messaging
- Incident mapping and directions
Read full descriptionHide full description
Note: "Continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life." This App is a companion feature to the IamResponding system, which enables first responders to know who is responding to an incident, where they are responding, and when. This is used by fire departments, EMS agencies, police agencies, and many incident response entities and teams. The IamResponding system also includes text and audio incident notifications from CAD and/or from live pager audio, duty crew scheduling, inter-agency messaging, live chat, incident mapping with directions, mutual aid connections and information, pre-plans, customized information displays, NFIRS and other incident reporting, and much more. This App brings many of the primary features of the IamResponding system to mobile users in the field, in an easy-to-use and access format. **Please consult the QUICK START GUIDE provided to your department/team to correctly enable all of the app functions and notification features. If you do not do so, some features will not work correctly** **You MUST be a member of an entity with a current IamResponding subscription in order for this app to work** We do NOT monitor the Apple App Store for technical support issues, and we cannot reply to support issues posted as user reviews. **For any technical support needs or inquiries, please submit a Support Ticket (https://support.iamresponding.com/hc/en-us/requests/new). Please Note: If your dispatch messages are not currently processed through your department’s IamResponding system, that is a free configuration that can be done in almost any jurisdiction, and is included with your department’s IamResponding subscription. Your app will have more complete functionality if we enable that feature for you. Have your local system administrator submit a Support Ticket (https://support.iamresponding.com/hc/en-us/requests/new) to set this up.
Jostens VMI
Design custom class rings with friends and family. Explore hundreds of options, preview your creations at each step, and save the final rendered image. The app offers easy navigation and a summary of your selections.
- Design rings with friends and family
- Hundreds of design options
- Step-by-step preview
- Save final ring image
- Side menu for navigation
- View selection summary
Read full descriptionHide full description
Jostens APS is developed for VMI to design their class rings. It takes you through the designing process and gives a preview of the rendered image at each step. Once you are done, view & save the final image. Features & Benefits: - Design your ring with friends & family. - Choose from hundreds of options to design your ring. - Access the side menu for better navigation and more options. - Navigate to relevant pages at any point in the app via side menu. - View Summary of your selections and take screenshot to store. - Preview to see the rendered image along with the summary. - See available accessories for friends & family.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is monetization model: Jostens VMI at free against IamResponding (IaR)'s subscription. Jostens VMI also leads on iOS requirement (14.0 vs 16.0). IamResponding (IaR)'s advantage is update cadence (monthly vs every 12 months) and ratings volume (350 vs 4). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.0 for IamResponding (IaR) against 4.0 for Jostens VMI. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: IamResponding (IaR) has 350 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two.
IamResponding (IaR) ships an update monthly, Jostens VMI every 12 months. The most recent releases landed on November 12, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | IamResponding (IaR) | Jostens VMI |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.0 (350 ratings) | 4.0 (4 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 50.5% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 350 — better | 4 |
| Update frequency | Monthly — better | Every 12 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Subscription | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | 14.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 77 MB | 157 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | IamResponding.com | Jostens, Inc. |
Customer experience
IamResponding (IaR)
Jostens VMI
Bugs and requests
IamResponding (IaR)
Reported bugs
18 issues- App crashes on iOS devices
- Notifications not received or delayed significantly
- Live audio feature stopped working after updates
- Slow hydrant loading and map rendering
- Incorrect incident/message displayed when tapping notifications
Show 13 moreShow fewer
- Respond button missing from recent update screens
- Responding list not clearing properly
- Voice tone notifications not working
- App freezes and becomes unresponsive
- Incompatibility with iOS 13.6 and older iOS versions
- Connection errors with spotty cell signal
- Custom ringtones not functioning
- Availability status updates not saving
- Scheduling functionality broken
- Jailbreak detection preventing Mac usage
- Font readability issues in recent updates
- App slower after recent redesign
- Silent mode alert issues on iPhone
Requested features
20 requests- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration
- Apple Watch app support
- Live radio audio streaming
- Picture and document upload capabilities
- Custom notification tones and alert sounds
Show 15 moreShow fewer
- Voice message and direct communication features
- Real-time location tracking of responders
- Ability to update settings within the app (not just web)
- Off-duty/availability toggle button
- Emergency notification audio playback
- Simplified list view option instead of card layout
- Faster response button (2 taps or less)
- Member profile roles and certifications display
- Incident history and previous responder tracking
- Custom ETA setting for volunteers
- Mac app version
- Scanner app integration for iPhone
- Ability to choose call types (EMS vs Fire)
- Automatic app opening on call notification
- Better alert tone options
Jostens VMI
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
IamResponding (IaR)
No in-app purchases
Jostens VMI
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is IamResponding (IaR) free?
Is Jostens VMI free?
Which has better reviews, IamResponding (IaR) or Jostens VMI?
Do IamResponding (IaR) or Jostens VMI have ads?
Which is updated more often, IamResponding (IaR) or Jostens VMI?
Other comparisons















