# NextStep vs Chain

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: NextStep at none against Chain's 10. NextStep also leads on device support (6 vs 1). Chain's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 3 weeks). On price, ads and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Chain sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. NextStep asks for nothing beyond the download.

NextStep ships an update every 3 weeks, Chain weekly. The most recent releases landed on November 4, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | NextStep | Chain |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nextstep-milestone-manager/id6740143456/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **1** | — |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Size | 13 MB | 3 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **17.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, Apple Watch, Vision Pro** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Baptiste DAJON](https://appshunter.io/developer/499283836) | [Matthew Busel](https://appshunter.io/developer/6810582483) |

## What reviewers say

### NextStep

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nextstep-milestone-manager/id6740143456)

This app helps you track your progress towards personal and professional goals. Visualize your journey and stay focused on achievements with seamless device synchronization for convenience and security.

**Highlights:** Goal tracking, Milestone management, Progress visualization, Habit tracking, Cross-device synchronization, Achievement celebration

**Features:** Apple Watch app

**In-app purchases:** none


### Chain

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chain-habit-tracker/id6814264554)

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

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Chain Plus, monthly | $2.99 | per month |
| Chain Plus, yearly | $14.99 | per year |
| Streak Repair | $0.99 | one-time |
| Bloom Theme | $0.99 | one-time |
| Gold Theme | $0.99 | one-time |
| Tide Theme | $0.99 | one-time |
| Violet Theme | $0.99 | one-time |
| Celebration Pack | $0.99 | one-time |
| Freeze Pack | $0.99 | one-time |
| Chain Unlimited | $4.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is NextStep free?

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

### Is Chain free?

Chain is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do NextStep or Chain have ads?

Neither NextStep nor Chain shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, NextStep or Chain?

NextStep ships an update every 3 weeks, and Chain weekly. Most recently, NextStep was updated on November 4, 2026 and Chain on October 31, 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.*