# First 5 vs Pause

The clearest difference is rating: Pause at 4.9 against First 5's 4.5. Pause also leads on review sentiment (98% vs 73%) and ratings volume (5.9K vs 888). First 5's advantage is monetization model (ad-supported vs free with in-app purchases). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Pause holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Pause has 5.9K ratings behind it against 888, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 73% of First 5's written reviews are positive against 98% of Pause's.

First 5 ships an update every 3 months, Pause every 2 months. Both last shipped on October 23, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | First 5 | Pause |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.5 (888 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/first-5/id997457664/reviews) | **[4.9 (5.9K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pause-prayer-and-meditation/id1471913620/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 888 | **5.9K** |
| Positive reviews | 72.9% of reviews | **98.4% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | **Ad-supported** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 40 MB | 61 MB |
| Requires iOS | **14.0** | 15.1 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Proverbs 31 Ministry, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1217584851) | [Ransomed Heart Ministries](https://appshunter.io/developer/661477182) |

## What reviewers say

### First 5

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/first-5/id997457664)

This app provides daily biblical teachings to help users establish a consistent spiritual practice. It offers tools for highlighting, saving, and sharing scripture, along with a built-in Bible and community features.

**Highlights:** Daily biblical teachings, Highlight, save, and share scripture, Integrated Bible reader, Customizable reminders, Community groups, Exportable notes

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Solid biblical teaching
- 👍 Comprehensive and beautiful app
- 👍 Excellent resource for Bible study
- 👍 Helpful for spiritual growth
- 👍 Intuitive and user-friendly

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 App crashes or freezes
- 🐛 Glitchy or buggy functionality
- 🐛 Restricted access requiring sign-up
- 👎 Text is too small, no font size options
- 👎 Lack of dark mode or night theme

**Reported bugs**

- App not loading or showing blank screen
- Inability to access past or current studies
- Login/sign-in issues and account problems
- Repeated log-outs and sign-in requirements

**Requested features**

- Add dark mode or night theme
- Improve font size and zoom options
- Allow offline access to past studies
- Implement text-to-speech feature
- Provide more customization options


### Pause

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pause-prayer-and-meditation/id1471913620)

This app provides short, guided sessions to help you slow down, breathe, and reconnect with your faith amidst a busy life. It offers various session lengths and guided programs to foster inner peace and spiritual connection.

**Highlights:** Short guided prayer sessions, Customizable session lengths (1-10 mins), Daily rhythm reminders, Guided soul check-ins, Multi-day guided programs, Focus on spiritual connection

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🙏 Helpful for spiritual growth
- 🕰️ Useful for creating daily rhythms
- 🌳 Beautiful visuals and music
- 🧘‍♀️ Facilitates intimate time with God
- 📚 Integrates well with author's books

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔇 Desire for more audio customization options
- 🐛 Occasional technical issues with app functionality
- 🔍 Difficulty navigating without internet connection

**Reported bugs**

- App freezing or not opening on certain devices
- Inability to progress through 30-day program when encountering technical issues

**Requested features**

- Ability to control volume of background music
- Option to continue background music after meditation ends
- Offline access to download individual pauses


## Frequently asked questions

### Is First 5 free?

First 5 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Pause free?

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

### Which has better reviews, First 5 or Pause?

Pause is rated higher. First 5 averages 4.5 out of 5 from 888 ratings, while Pause averages 4.9 from 5.9K ratings.

### Do First 5 or Pause have ads?

Both First 5 and Pause show ads.

### Which is updated more often, First 5 or Pause?

First 5 ships an update every 3 months, and Pause every 2 months. Most recently, First 5 was updated on October 23, 2026 and Pause on October 23, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*