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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Health First Colorado vs Propel

Health First Colorado 4.8★ · Free to download 40
Winner Propel
Propel 4.9★ · Free to download 60

Propel is the better choice for managing EBT benefits, despite significant security concerns, while Health First Colorado struggles with basic login functionality.

Full reviews: Health First Colorado · Propel

Health First Colorado, an official state Medicaid app, is plagued by persistent login issues and general unreliability, making it difficult for users to access critical health information R4R7R10. Propel, a third-party EBT management app, offers convenient balance checking and transaction tracking, but faces serious accusations of security vulnerabilities and benefit theft R70R75.

Head to head

Features and Functionality edge: PropelR13R23R25R28
Health First Colorado Health First Colorado allows users to view their insurance card, find providers, and sometimes chat with a real person R13. It also helps users manage contact information and see coverage status R23R25. However, some users report a lack of features like a searchable database for covered tests or prescriptions R28.
Propel Propel is primarily used for checking EBT balances and tracking transactions, which many users find very convenient and accurate . It also offers discounts and deals . Some users desire features like seeing pending deposit amounts and dates , or a lock/unlock card feature for all states .
Ease of Use and Reliability tieR4R6R7R9
Health First Colorado Many Health First Colorado users report significant issues with logging in, including being stuck in a loop, blank white screens, or the app crashing immediately upon opening R4R7R10R12. Some users also find the app slow to load R13. While some praise its user-friendliness , others are frustrated by constant sign-outs and the lack of Face ID or saved login options R6R9.
Propel Propel is generally praised for being easy to use and navigate for checking balances . However, a notable number of users experience problems with the app not loading transactions, displaying error messages, or being unable to sign in or link new cards R77.
Security and Privacy edge: Health First ColoradoR1R5R53R64
Health First Colorado Some Health First Colorado users express comfort that their information is protected and easily accessible R5R53. However, one user reported a PIN code being hijacked or blocked, leading to privacy concerns R1.
Propel Propel faces severe accusations regarding security and privacy. Multiple users report their EBT benefits being stolen or accounts hacked after using the app R64R70R75R85. Some county assistance offices have even advised users to delete Propel due to card skimming and information leaking R70. Users desire more security and privacy features .
Customer Support tieR4R13R77R87
Health First Colorado Health First Colorado users report difficulty reaching anyone when calling for support R4. However, one user had a positive experience with the chat feature, finding real people helpful R13.
Propel Propel users report issues when trying to contact support, with some being told their card was unblocked when the app still showed it as blocked R87. Others mention emailing and calling without resolution for linking card issues R77.
Pick Health First Colorado if

You are a Health First Colorado (Medicaid) recipient in Colorado and prioritize having an official app for your health benefits, provided you can successfully log in and navigate its interface R5.

Pick Propel if

You primarily need a convenient way to check your EBT balance and track transactions, and you are willing to accept the reported security risks associated with a third-party app .

Evidence note: The reviews for Health First Colorado are heavily skewed towards login and reliability issues, making it difficult to assess other features comprehensively. Propel's positive reviews often focus on convenience, while negative reviews are dominated by severe security concerns, suggesting a significant risk for users.

Frequently asked

Is Health First Colorado reliable for accessing my health information?
Many users report that Health First Colorado is unreliable, with frequent issues preventing them from logging in, such as being stuck in a login loop, seeing blank screens, or the app crashing R4R7R10R12.
Are there security concerns with the Propel app?
Yes, there are significant security concerns with the Propel app, as multiple users report their EBT funds being stolen, accounts hacked, or information being skimmed after using the app R64R70R75R85. Some county assistance offices have even advised users to delete Propel due to these issues R70.
Can I use Face ID or save login info on Health First Colorado?
Many users of Health First Colorado are frustrated because the app constantly signs them out and does not offer options for Face ID or saving login information, requiring them to retype credentials frequently R6R9.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R13] Health First Colorado 5/5 · US THIS APP IS THE BEST!: I love being able to see my card. A little slow but that’s fine. I can chat with a real person, and they are so helpful! Finding a dentist was so easy. THANK YOU!
  2. [R23] Health First Colorado 5/5 · US Me. GMCruz: Very easy to change my contact information! And also log on.
  3. [R25] Health First Colorado 4/5 · US Helpful: Nice to see if coverage is active or what notifications or due dates for forms are expected
  4. [R28] Health First Colorado 1/5 · US Useless: This app is basically useless for doing anything, you still have to call to get any information or to ask any questions. I was told there was a “chat” feature on here, but I don’t see one. Why isn’t there some sort of searchable database to find out what tests or prescriptions are covered? If people could do more themselves in this app, there wouldn’t be such a ridiculously long wait on t
  5. [R4] Health First Colorado 1/5 · US Cant log in: Havent been able to log in for momths due to a glitch. Can never get ahold of anyone when i call
  6. [R6] Health First Colorado 3/5 · US Allow face ID or saved login info: I like that I can see all my info and search for providers but the app constantly signs me out and doesn’t have the option for me to use Face ID or save the login info to my phone. I have to retype everything all over again if I switch to another app or do something else for five minutes. If my credit union app can do it, why can’t this one?
  7. [R7] Health First Colorado 1/5 · US Update broke the app!!: After this update the app does not work?!! Won’t let me sign in. Change it back!! Horrible update whatever you guys did!!!
  8. [R9] Health First Colorado 3/5 · US Pin not working: I love the idea behind this app. It’s so convenient not to have to carry around my family’s insurance cards! What isn’t convenient is the fact that the pin never works so I have to sign in using my username and password every time. Normally I have to do this more than once because it doesn’t work the first time. Very annoying. I wish it worked the way it was supposed to.
  9. [R1] Health First Colorado 1/5 · US Forced PIN code hijacked or blocked: Created new acct.. force to resign in a second time code hijacked or blocked and cannot access the account I just gave sensitive data to?? Privacy?? Probably not
  10. [R5] Health First Colorado 5/5 · US Colorado health first!: Bringing extreme comfort allowing me to rest easy knowing, my information is protected and easily accessible for needed records.
  11. [R53] Health First Colorado 5/5 · US Peak app: This app is great, you always have your info at the ready with very good security.
  12. [R64] Propel 1/5 · US Thieves: Horrible they are stealing through this app!!!!!!!!!
  13. [R77] Propel 1/5 · US Useless: This app is useless. Have been trying to link my new card for the past month and app keeps saying it is having trouble connecting to the system in our state. Texas. I have emailed several times and called 211 and it still hasn’t been resolved. Yes I done everything from deleting to reinstalling to updating app and my phone and still NOTHING!!!!!
  14. [R87] Propel 1/5 · US Worst app ever: My app keeps saying locked. I tried to unblock it. It will not let me unblock it. I tried contacting the number. They said it was unblocked, but on the app is still blocked and I can’t get it very disappointed customer
  15. [R10] Health First Colorado 1/5 · US Log in issues: What happened to your app? Can no longer login. It is on a continued loop no matter how many times I delete and reinstall the app or change my password. No good!
  16. [R12] Health First Colorado 1/5 · US Broken App: Can’t login to my account on the app. Just keeps going back to the login page? Super inconvenient. App has been updated and nothing works at all.
  17. [R70] Propel 1/5 · US Skimming cards/leaking information-download connect EBT.: YALL HURRY AND GO DOWNLOAD CONNECT EBT! You know the app is bad when the county assistance office tells you to delete it and download CONNECT EBT because Propel is skimming cards and leaking people’s private information😳 you would think they have a fire wall set up for people‘s private information, but it doesn’t seem like they’ve taken an
  18. [R75] Propel 1/5 · US Pretty Sure This App Stole My Info: This app was the only place where my ebt information was stored and my card got wiped clean on deposit date. It was literally a BRAND NEW CARD! Happened to me 3 months in a row.
  19. [R85] Propel 1/5 · US Account was hacked: My account was skimmed and I was advised to avoid this app. Regardless of the response I received, it was confirmed my information was stolen via Propel. Notice how I didn’t say my benefits were stolen, it was just assumed.

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store