# ESS Mobile vs True Helix

The clearest difference is rating: True Helix at 4.6 against ESS Mobile's 1.7. True Helix also leads on review sentiment (24% vs 3%) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 3 months). ESS Mobile's advantage is ratings volume (356 vs 9). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

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

True Helix holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 1.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ESS Mobile has 356 ratings behind it against 9, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 3% of ESS Mobile's written reviews are positive against 24% of True Helix's.

ESS Mobile ships an update every 3 months, True Helix every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | ESS Mobile | True Helix |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [1.7 (356 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ess-mobile/id667448755/reviews) | **[4.6 (9 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/true-helix/id1593742693/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **356** | 9 |
| Positive reviews | 2.9% of reviews | **23.8% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 1 MB | 34 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.6 | **15.1** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Attendance on Demand, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/675262405) | [True Helix](https://appshunter.io/developer/1593742695) |

## What reviewers say

### ESS Mobile

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ess-mobile/id667448755)

This app offers flexible time tracking for employees, allowing them to punch in/out, review hours worked, check schedules, and manage benefit balances. It facilitates communication with supervisors for attendance-related matters and supports various time entry methods.

**Highlights:** Flexible time tracking, Review hours worked, Check schedules and benefit balances, Request time off, Enter tips and mileage, Communicate with supervisor

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- ✅ Simple and straightforward time tracking functionality
- 📧 Email records linked to time card
- ⚙️ Works reliably on Android devices

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Connect button functions as text box instead of button
- ❌ App crashes frequently after updates
- ⚪ White screen loading issues
- 📍 Location detection inaccurate (4-5 miles off)
- 🔐 Login failures and credential issues

**Reported bugs**

- Connect button treats input as editable text field
- App fails to load or shows blank white screen
- Location services report incorrect location
- Login credentials rejected despite correct information
- Clock-in button disappears or becomes non-functional

**Requested features**

- Face ID or biometric authentication
- Remember me/stay logged in functionality
- Current time display on home screen
- Manager approval system for early out/late in requests
- Ability to view all punch times and historical data


### True Helix

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/true-helix/id1593742693)

This workforce management solution streamlines caregiver scheduling and time tracking. It allows caregivers to view and manage their shifts, while clients can monitor assignments and approve time. The platform facilitates direct communication and shift filling among healthcare professionals and clients.

**Highlights:** Assign and archive caregiver shifts, View scheduled and prior shifts, Clock in and out functionality, Client view of caregivers on assignment, Manage caregiver time, App-to-app connections for shift filling

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is ESS Mobile free?

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

### Is True Helix free?

True Helix is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, ESS Mobile or True Helix?

True Helix is rated higher. ESS Mobile averages 1.7 out of 5 from 356 ratings, while True Helix averages 4.6 from 9 ratings.

### Do ESS Mobile or True Helix have ads?

Neither ESS Mobile nor True Helix shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, ESS Mobile or True Helix?

ESS Mobile ships an update every 3 months, and True Helix every 3 weeks. Most recently, ESS Mobile was updated on October 21, 2026 and True Helix on October 15, 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.*