What users say
From 171 saved reviews since 17 Sept 2018, all countries.
★ 2.80 average53% negative (1–2★)Developer replies to 80%, usually within 83 days
Top complaints
Share of the 90 negative reviews that mention it
Pay to win, prices52%
“Really frustrating that the month after I paid for the app, it turned into a monthly subscription fee and became a paywall around much of the features.”
Crashes and bugs13%
“I've sent crash report after crash report - NO REPLY!”
Bad update8%
“Since the latest update the app keeps crashing when you click on anything.”
Lag, slow, battery3%
“Searches frequently result in the app loading for a bit, then returning the unfiltered alphabetical list of content.”
★★★★★Sara Qv51.226 Oct 2026
Adding paywall for existing buyers is completely unfair: Sadly, I’ve had to now rate this as 1 star. I originally purchased this app, but it has now been locked behind a monthly subscription. Moving the goalposts on existing, paying customers is unacceptable & unfair. Without a subscription, the app is literally useless and offers no functional features that I can see. Starting subscriptions for new users is fine, but you should honor lifetime purchases for loyal long-term users.
★★★★★Tylerv51.225 Oct 2026
I paid for this app and it was great. However, the model has changed and pretty much all functionality is locked behind a £1.99 per month subscription fee.
★★★★★Harry Page-Willisv37.01 May 2026
As others have described, this used to be a good app but having to pay a subscription to look up definitions of offences is mind boggling, considering I paid for the app in the first place! Luckily AI has advanced and made this app redundant and going to an office based role PNLD is my go to option. Would not recommend, better alternatives out there.
Developer reply
Hi - I'm glad the app has previously been of use to you. We hear the frustration of some users at the introduction of a monthly subscription. We delayed this as long as possible but took this decision to allow us to maintain the app and continue developing features and tools that users were asking for. Thanks for your time in leaving a review.
★★★★★Adam Beaumontv50.327 Mar 2026
Paid £4.99 for the app, which worked great at first, but now pretty much every piece of information cannot be accessed without paying a monthly subscription. App is absolutely useless as it is and disgusting that you pay to download an app which has no function - wish I could get a refund.
Developer reply
Hi Adam - when the app launched, it was a one-time payment. As the app grew, so did demand from users for new features and tools — maintaining that requires ongoing development and resources. So we introduced the subscription model, to reinvest directly into what frontline professionals need most. We understand this model isn't for everyone though.
★★★★★AOv50.313 Mar 2026
Now almost everything is behind a monthly subscription. I suggest Pocket Toolkit which is free.
1 people found this helpful
Developer reply
As our user-base grew, so did the volume of requests for additional features. To be able to provide what users were asking for, it was necessary to introduce a paid subscription model, albeit for less that the cost of a decent coffee. We appreciate this doesn't suit everyone and hope you have found an alternative to meet your own needs.
★★★★★AJv50.229 Jan 2026
basically just a scam. takes payment and then asks for a sub to do basically anything. requesting a refund is pointless. you should actually be referred to TSA for what is quite literally a scam at this point. pay to install then pay again every month for something that you could vibe code with Claude in a day? ridiculous
Developer reply
Hi AJ - thanks for trying our app, sorry to hear you are so aggrieved by our subscription model. Rather than scamming users we are simply using it to fund updates / additions which have been requested by subscribers. Without this funding the only option we could see was removing the app from stores but we wanted to try this alternative first.
★★★★★Lewis Kv50.229 Jan 2026
Too much locked content
Developer reply
Hey Lewis - all of the content can be unlocked and available at your fingertips for less than the cost of a decent coffee per month. At Pocket Sergeant we always have and always will strive to keep the costs as low as possible, however we fully accept our subscription just won't be a good fit for everyone. Thank you for the feedback.
★★★★★Will Cravenv50.222 Jan 2026
It is an incredibly useful app for both PACE and AFA offences. it saves a lot of time and queries when searching for specific legislation.
Developer reply
Hi Will - thank you for taking the time to leave us some positive remarks. Glad to hear that Pocket Sergeant is doing what we set out to do!
★★★★★Kamrul Islamv50.229 Dec 2025
The developers have basically hidden 99% of the app behind a subscription model, so unless you need the proper basics like the definition of theft, you have to pay for it. Horrendous decision by some money grabbers, it's a massive shame because the app used to be really good. Don't bother downloading the app unless you want to pay £2 a month. The thing is £2 a month is nothing but it's the principle of the decision that is making me uninstall, I'm not helping/supporting these people.
10 people found this helpful
Developer reply
Hello from one of 'these people' - thank you for trying our app out, I'm glad that it has previously been of some use to you. The decision to introduce the subscription was not one that we took lightly but in order to continue providing what users were asking for, it was a necessary step for the app to remain in existence.
★★★★★Bryony Wilkinsonv49.97 Oct 2025
Paid for the app some time ago and haven't used it. Recently opened it only to find that any relevant or useful information requires a subscription. The app is a complete waste of time as it is and I will not pay a subscription for an app that I have already paid for. Don't bother downloading unless you're willing to pay the £1.99 a month subscription and even then the layout and presentation of the app is poor.
11 people found this helpful
Developer reply
Hi Bryony - thank you for your previous support. Subscribers to the app will find an App Incubator feature where ideas / suggestions for the app can be submitted. Given our delay in replying to your review, should you choose to give us another try you will hopefully notice improvements in the latest app version!
