# 1L vs Study Songs

The clearest difference is rating: 1L at 4.7 against Study Songs's 3.8. 1L also leads on update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 4 months) and ratings volume (314 vs 20). Study Songs's advantage is monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription) and ads (none vs shown). On price, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. 1L sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $24.99 per month and Study Songs sells 14 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

1L holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: 1L has 314 ratings behind it against 20, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 58% of 1L's written reviews are positive against 75% of Study Songs's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

1L ships an update every 6 weeks, Study Songs every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and October 4, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | 1L | Study Songs |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (314 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/1l/id826828514/reviews)** | [3.8 (20 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/study-songs/id846056211/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **314** | 20 |
| Positive reviews | 57.7% of reviews | **75.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 6 weeks** | Every 4 months |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 88 MB | 62 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [TestMax, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/445785345) | [Study Songs](https://appshunter.io/developer/846056214) |

## What reviewers say

### 1L

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/1l/id826828514)

This app provides comprehensive study materials for first-year law students. Access audio lectures, outlines, practice questions, and case briefs for all core subjects. Learn from renowned law professors and prepare for class with interactive tools.

**Highlights:** Audio lectures by legendary law professors, Black-letter law outlines, Emanuel® Law in a Flash flashcards, Casenote Legal Briefs, Multiple choice practice questions, Practice essay questions

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Wallet

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| BarMax 1L | $24.99 | per month |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Great for 1L studies
- 👍 Helps with bar prep
- 👍 Wonderful structure and quality
- 👍 Loved the flashcards
- 👍 Best study aid

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 App crashes frequently
- 🐛 Unusable due to crashes
- 🐛 Disappointing performance
- 🐛 Glitchy multiple choice section
- 🐛 Difficult to navigate MCQs

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes after 10 seconds
- App crashes every time tried
- App always crashes
- App crashes immediately and will not open
- App crashes before first flashcard is displayed

**Requested features**

- Allow MCQs per area again
- Fix update that includes all questions
- Develop more difficult questions
- Fix glitches in multiple choice section
- Offer month-to-month payment option


### Study Songs

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/study-songs/id846056211)

This app uses original songs and clickable terms to help law students memorize multi-state bar exam material. Developed by lawyers, it blends melody with study content for easier retention, offering a flexible and engaging study method.

**Highlights:** 80 original study songs, 1,500+ clickable terms with explanations, Content for all 7 multi-state exam topics, Songs organized by bar exam subject, Full song lyrics included, Study on the go

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (14)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Equal Protection | $2.99 | one-time |
| Character Evidence | $2.99 | one-time |
| Hearsay | $2.99 | one-time |
| First Amendment Speech | $2.99 | one-time |
| Mortgages | $2.99 | one-time |
| Servitudes - Easements and Covenants | $2.99 | one-time |
| Criminal Law | $18.99 | one-time |
| Criminal Procedure | $18.99 | one-time |
| Evidence | $18.99 | one-time |
| Constitutional Law | $22.99 | one-time |
| Contracts | $22.99 | one-time |
| Civil Procedure | $22.99 | one-time |
| Property | $29.99 | one-time |
| Torts | $29.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is 1L free?

1L is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Study Songs free?

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

### Which has better reviews, 1L or Study Songs?

1L is rated higher. 1L averages 4.7 out of 5 from 314 ratings, while Study Songs averages 3.8 from 20 ratings.

### Do 1L or Study Songs have ads?

1L shows ads; Study Songs does not.

### Which is updated more often, 1L or Study Songs?

1L ships an update every 6 weeks, and Study Songs every 4 months. Most recently, 1L was updated on October 1, 2026 and Study Songs on October 4, 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.*