Comparison

First Step vs UpSense

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

Head to head
About

First Step

Features
Read full description

Small steps, big progress. When a task feels too big, getting started can be the hardest part. First Step helps you turn it into small, practical steps—so you always have a clear next action. BREAK IT DOWN WITH AI Describe what you want to do. First Step helps clarify the task and creates a step-by-step plan. If a step still feels too big, break it down further. MAKE THE PLAN YOURS Edit steps, add your own, and adjust your task list as your plans change. Use it for everyday chores, study sessions, work projects, or goals you've been putting off. FOCUS ON THE NEXT STEP Open Focus Mode to see one action at a time. Mark it done, then move on to the next. Landscape orientation also brings you into Focus Mode. SEE YOUR PROGRESS Check off steps, revisit completed tasks, and view daily, weekly, and monthly statistics. Unlock achievement badges as you keep going. START FREE Create up to 3 tasks per day for free. Breaking an existing step into smaller steps is always free. First Step Pro offers unlimited task creation and iCloud sync across your devices. You don't have to do it all at once. Just take the first step. Privacy Policy: https://huihu.asia/legal/privacy.html Terms of Use: https://huihu.asia/legal/terms.html

About

UpSense

Features
Read full description

UpSense is a local-first stream recording tool for turning daily thoughts, image fragments, voice moments, and event points into clearer personal threads. Send text and images as naturally as chatting with yourself, then let anything that does not yet have a place land in the default Quick Notes stream. You can also create separate streams for work, life, ideas, or any theme you want to let settle on its own. The event network records important points and lets you review them as a horizontal timeline. It is useful for habit reviews, noticing stage changes, and connecting scattered moments into a thread you can revisit. UpSense works local-first, does not require account registration, contains no ads, and can sync streams, records, images, voice, events, to-dos, and app settings across your devices through Apple's iCloud private database. This content is not uploaded to servers owned by us. The free version lets you send text and image records in the default Quick Notes stream and record event points for 5 consecutive calendar days from the first event day. UpSense+ unlocks unlimited streams, recording in any stream, and continuous event recording. Key features: - Stream-style text records - Image records, camera capture, and photo library selection - Voice event recording - Quick Notes for fast capture - Multiple streams for separate contexts - Event points and horizontal event network - iCloud sync, local-first storage - UpSense+ for full stream and event capabilities User Agreement: https://www.notion.so/3909645c47b681329444d2165c16e7bc?source=copy_link Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://www.notion.so/3909645c47b681c59015f18c081f4b17?source=copy_link

Screenshots

First Step4 screens
UpSense4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: UpSense at daily against First Step's fortnightly. First Step's advantage is iOS requirement (17.6 vs 26.5). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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. First Step sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month and UpSense sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

First Step ships an update fortnightly, UpSense daily. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and October 11, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 4 level
First Step versus UpSense: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFirst StepUpSense
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyFortnightlyDaily — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS17.6 — better26.5
Further details — not scored
Size2 MB4 MB
Age rating12+4+
Developer宸 薛国城 林

In-app purchases

3 purchases

First Step

Subscriptions2
  • FirstStep Pro 月付会员$0.991 Month
  • FirstStep Pro 年度会员$7.991 Year
One-time1
  • FirstStep Pro 永久会员$19.99
3 purchases

UpSense

Subscriptions2
  • UpSense+ Monthly$1.991 Month
  • UpSense+ Yearly$7.991 Year
One-time1
  • UpSense+ Lifetime$9.99

Questions

Is First Step free?
First Step is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is UpSense free?
UpSense is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do First Step or UpSense have ads?
Neither First Step nor UpSense shows ads.
Which is updated more often, First Step or UpSense?
First Step ships an update fortnightly, and UpSense daily. Most recently, First Step was updated on October 6, 2026 and UpSense on October 11, 2026.

Other comparisons