First Step vs UpSense
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
First Step
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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
UpSense
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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
Verdict
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
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.
First Step ships an update fortnightly, UpSense daily. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and October 11, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | First Step | UpSense |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | Daily — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 — better | 26.5 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 2 MB | 4 MB |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | 宸 薛 | 国城 林 |
In-app purchases
First Step
- FirstStep Pro 月付会员$0.991 Month
- FirstStep Pro 年度会员$7.991 Year
- FirstStep Pro 永久会员$19.99
UpSense
- UpSense+ Monthly$1.991 Month
- UpSense+ Yearly$7.991 Year
- UpSense+ Lifetime$9.99









