# Half Staff App vs Bryx Mobile

The clearest difference is rating: Bryx Mobile at 4.2 against Half Staff App's 3.4. Bryx Mobile also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 2) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 22 months). Half Staff App's advantage is review sentiment (63% vs 49%). On price, ratings volume, ads and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Half Staff App sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Bryx Mobile asks for nothing beyond the download.

Bryx Mobile holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 3.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 98 and 282 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 63% of Half Staff App's written reviews are positive against 49% of Bryx Mobile's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Half Staff App ships an update every 22 months, Bryx Mobile fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 19, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Half Staff App | Bryx Mobile |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.4 (98 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/half-staff-app/id628439682/reviews) | **[4.2 (282 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bryx-mobile/id813078029/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 98 | **282** |
| Positive reviews | **63.0% of reviews** | 48.7% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 22 months | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 48 MB | 82 MB |
| Requires iOS | **18.0** | 18.2 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [The Jed Mahonis Group](https://appshunter.io/developer/534260260) | [Bryx](https://appshunter.io/developer/813078032) |

## What reviewers say

### Half Staff App

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/half-staff-app/id628439682)

This app sends push notifications to your iOS device, reminding you to set the American flag to half staff. It tracks presidential proclamations and pre-determined remembrance days. Users can request state-specific notifications.

**Highlights:** Push notifications for half staff days, Tracks presidential proclamations, Includes pre-determined remembrance days, Reminders for Patriot Day, Memorial Day, etc., State-specific notification requests

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Full App Access | $1.99 | per month |
| Full App Access | $19.99 | per year |


### Bryx Mobile

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bryx-mobile/id813078029)

This app enhances communication and situational awareness for first responders. It delivers critical alerts with scene details, routing, and navigation, while also offering features like hydrant information, past call data, and real-time messaging.

**Highlights:** Real-time alerts from CAD, Routing and navigation tools, Hydrant information, Past call data, Site survey data attachment, Live location updates, Internet dispatch radio streams

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Excellent UI and interface
- 🚀 Quick access to duty status
- 👍 Great app for FD notifications
- 👍 Awesome app for FD and EMS
- 👍 Works well and is functional

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Delays in receiving information
- 🐛 No real-time information for events
- 🐛 Scanner feature only works when app is open
- 🐛 Awful support
- 🐛 UI/alerts are half broken

**Reported bugs**

- Scanner feature only works when app is left open
- App mutes phone when open, pausing audio
- App crashes when opened, then fine after restart
- Removed from Apple CarPlay in newest update
- Stopped getting alerts and notifications on iPhone

**Requested features**

- Navigation options for apps to use
- Notes with time stamps and updates for call to see while enroute
- Apple Watch integration
- Easy in and out of duty feature (long press, shortcut, action button, widget)
- Settings stored in iCloud


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Half Staff App free?

Half Staff App is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Bryx Mobile free?

Bryx Mobile is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Half Staff App or Bryx Mobile?

Bryx Mobile is rated higher. Half Staff App averages 3.4 out of 5 from 98 ratings, while Bryx Mobile averages 4.2 from 282 ratings.

### Do Half Staff App or Bryx Mobile have ads?

Neither Half Staff App nor Bryx Mobile shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Half Staff App or Bryx Mobile?

Half Staff App ships an update every 22 months, and Bryx Mobile fortnightly. Most recently, Half Staff App was updated on October 19, 2026 and Bryx Mobile on October 20, 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.*