Comparison

FirstDown PlayBook vs The Sticks

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

Head to head
About

FirstDown PlayBook

This app provides football coaches and players with instant access to their team's playbooks, scouting reports, and whiteboard tools. It allows for real-time updates and communication, making it a comprehensive tool for game preparation and sideline coaching.

Highlights
  • Access complete playbooks anywhere
  • Premium whiteboard and telestration tools
  • Interactive scouting reports
  • Real-time updates and notifications
  • Full-screen sideline coaching mode (tablet)
  • Offline report access
Read full description

Your football playbook. Anywhere. FirstDown PlayBook is the ultimate companion app for football coaches and players who need instant access to their team’s system. Whether you’re in the film room, at practice, traveling, or on the sideline during game day, FirstDown PlayBook is with you. Built to work seamlessly with the FirstDown PlayBook web platform, the app gives you real-time access to your playbooks, scouting reports, whiteboard tools, and coaching resources directly from your iPhone or iPad. NOTE: An active FirstDown PlayBook membership is required to use this app. FOR COACHES Access Your Entire System Anywhere - View your complete playbooks directly in the app - Instantly access plays, notes, videos, and coaching materials - Browse pre-built playbooks from professional and college coaches for all ages and type of football - Add new playbooks directly to your account Premium Whiteboard & Telestration Tools - Teach and communicate more effectively on the field with advanced presentation tools - Draw and annotate directly on plays - Zoom, spotlight, dim, and present key details - Use laser tools to focus player attention - Save whiteboard edits directly to your device - Instantly share marked-up plays with players and staff Full Screen Mode (Tablet Only) Turn your tablet into a powerful sideline coaching tool with: - Dedicated full-screen presentation mode for in-game sideline teaching - Optimized annotation and telestration controls - Fast in-game adjustments and communication Interactive Scouting Reports Bring your game prep everywhere: - Access interactive scouting reports on demand - Review plays, videos, notes, and play grids - View interactive depth charts and player profiles - Export reports directly to your device as PDFs or images - Download reports for offline access Stay Connected in Real Time - Receive push notifications when plays, playbooks, or reports are updated - Manage staff and player access instantly - Customize your experience with light mode, dark mode, and report themes FOR PLAYERS Study Smarter - Access your team playbooks anytime - Review plays, notes, and videos from one place - Prepare for practice and game day wherever you are Interactive Whiteboard Tools - Draw over plays and diagrams directly in the app - Save and export edits for offline review Scouting Reports On Demand - Review weekly opponent scouting reports - Access player profiles and depth charts - Download reports for offline viewing Never Miss an Update - Receive real-time notifications from your coaches - Know instantly when new playbooks and scouting reports are available From preparation to game day, FirstDown PlayBook keeps your entire system connected and accessible, wherever the game takes you.

About

The Sticks

Features
Read full description

The Sticks shows you who's actually on the field. Pick any of the 32 pro football teams and see its depth chart laid out on a real field — offense, defense, and special teams, every position group in formation instead of buried in a table. Tap a player for their bio and season stats. DEPTH CHARTS • All 32 teams, updated weekly • Offense, defense, and special teams • Players positioned in real formations, not list rows • Tap any player for bio, measurables, and season stats • Drag to build your own depth chart and keep it across sessions TEAM STATS • Records, point differential, and league-wide rankings • Offensive and defensive efficiency, including EPA per play • Ball security, protection, and takeaway numbers • Browse any completed season, not just the current one COMPARE • Put any two teams side by side • Compare by team totals or position by position • Every stat ranked so you can see who actually has the edge UNIFORM ARCHIVE • Over 100 kits across all 32 teams • Browse by team or by era • Current uniforms, alternates, and throwbacks Free, with no account needed to browse. Sign in only if you want your custom depth charts saved across devices, and you can delete your account and all its data from inside the app at any time. The Sticks is not endorsed by or affiliated with the National Football League. Any trademarks used in the app are used solely to identify the respective entities and remain the property of their respective owners. Formation data © FTN Data (CC-BY-SA 4.0).

Screenshots

FirstDown PlayBook4 screens
The Sticks4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: The Sticks at every 3 weeks against FirstDown PlayBook's every 2 months. FirstDown PlayBook's advantage is device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (15.1 vs 18.0). On price, ads and in-app purchases 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

FirstDown PlayBook ships an update every 2 months, The Sticks every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and November 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
FirstDown PlayBook versus The Sticks: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFirstDown PlayBookThe Sticks
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (11 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings11 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.1 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size52 MB8 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPlaybook TechCooper Harris

In-app purchases

None

FirstDown PlayBook

No in-app purchases

None

The Sticks

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is FirstDown PlayBook free?
FirstDown PlayBook is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is The Sticks free?
The Sticks is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do FirstDown PlayBook or The Sticks have ads?
Neither FirstDown PlayBook nor The Sticks shows ads.
Which is updated more often, FirstDown PlayBook or The Sticks?
FirstDown PlayBook ships an update every 2 months, and The Sticks every 3 weeks. Most recently, FirstDown PlayBook was updated on October 31, 2026 and The Sticks on November 10, 2026.

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