OpportunityMarket home
← All apps

What users complain about in Invoice Maker ▸ Invoice Simple

Accounting & invoicingApp Store15 Jul 2019 → 02 Nov 2026

147 people complained about Invoice Maker ▸ Invoice Simple in App Store reviews rated 1–3 stars (15 Jul 2019 – 02 Nov 2026), 1 of them in the last 30 days. Most reported: frequent and aggressive price increases (58%); limits invoice count mid-subscription (48%); unresponsive or non-existent customer support (18%).

⇩ Every complaint (CSV) · Explorer

Get its new complaints every Monday by email — useful for a competitor's app.

How to read these numbers: Only reviews rated 3 stars or below are collected, on purpose: this is a record of complaints, not a rating. It is not the app's App Store or Play Store score and must not be read as one.
People
147
147 reviews
Last 30 days
1
4 in the 30 before
Say what fails
98%
Distinct issues
6

What goes wrong in Invoice Maker ▸ Invoice Simple

Each review is sorted by what it says fails. Counts are people; the share is of all 147 people who complained.

  1. Frequent and aggressive price increases

    58%

    85 people · 0 in the last 30 days · latest 21 Sept 2026

    user·6902· App Store· 03 Aug 2026original ↗
    “Do not use invoice simple, I have been using this app for years. I started with very little amount per year and since then it has significantly increased. Last month I paid $90 last year and this year they are charging over 250 per yr. Next year they will do the same thing. Save…”v6.9.1
    2 more reviews
    user·26f2· App Store· 07 Aug 2025original ↗
    “I’ve been using invoice simple for 9 years with yearly price increases for about 4 years in a row. Has there been a significant shift in the product? No, it’s been pretty much the same basic invoicing app. Are they hiring a heap more staff because they are working on the app imp…”v4.0.0
    user·8022· App Store· 15 Jun 2024original ↗
    “The app works well but there has been like 3 price increases in the last 12 months which is getting ridiculous. There is no reward for loyal customers.”v3.5.28
  2. Limits invoice count mid-subscription

    48%

    70 people · 0 in the last 30 days · latest 01 Sept 2026

    user·6173· App Store· 02 Aug 2023original ↗
    “This app allows you to email exactly one invoice before it requires you to sign up for a subscription. I can deal with ads once in awhile. What I don’t need is a subscription and a false description of “free”.”v3.4.84
    2 more reviews
    user·f67f· App Store· 02 May 2026original ↗
    “This used to be a great app until they did something in the backend because now I constantly keep getting a message that I have 0 invoices left when I pay monthly for unlimited. Keep in mind I pay for 2 accounts because I have 2 shops and each time they want me to delete and uni…”v6.1.6
    user·b6e0· App Store· 08 Feb 2021original ↗
    “I have just gone self employed and I needed a simple to use invoice creator that I could use whenever and wherever I needed. I have been using this app for a few weeks and I was very impressed and happy with it. I tried to send an invoice today and was met with a wall telling me…”vv3.3.350
  3. Unresponsive or non-existent customer support

    18%

    26 people · 0 in the last 30 days · latest 02 Oct 2026

    user·4278· App Store· 26 Aug 2026original ↗
    “I’ve been using invoice simple for years. Eventually upgraded to the premium £19.99. Every month my account would revert to basic features at random. I would contact customer support about this issue and they would solve it temporarily. My last complaint is still un answered and…”v6.10.0
    2 more reviews
    user·29bd· App Store· 27 Nov 2019original ↗
    “Update is terrible. The whole interface has changed and basically went from a 5 star app to a 0 star app. Alex from customer service isn’t interested in fixing any issue. I have to now get new software and it really created a big mess for my business. I’m really disappointed as…”v3.3.44
    user·1472· App Store· 02 Oct 2026original ↗
    “No support. The tech team will suspend your ability to message if you give them a tricky question. This app stinks it will hurt your business as it did mine! Help me!”v6.15.1
  4. App crashes or fails to save

    16%

    23 people · 0 in the last 30 days · latest 23 Sept 2026

    user·f259· App Store· 29 Nov 2025original ↗
    “I’ve been using invoice simple since 2018. Noticing over the years with each update the app is becoming less and less responsive. Noticing lag as I process each Invoice and sometimes it crashes by giving me and error message. Going to cancel my subscription after next month.”v5.6.1
    2 more reviews
    user·24ff· App Store· 06 May 2026original ↗
    “I’ve been using this app for over five years now I went to go open the app again like I usually do and it’s not working at all. I am highly dependent on this app and I have a lot of customers but now I can’t even send invoices or estimates to. I will change my rating once the ap…”v6.2.0
    user·d0d0· App Store· 25 Feb 2026original ↗
    “This app is not functional as stated. They charged me 6£ and then 16£ in 5 minutes. Try creating an invoice and it’s not creating it. All it’s doing is asking for more money. Stay away from this app.”v5.12.2
  5. Unable to cancel subscription

    12%

    17 people · 1 in the last 30 days · latest 6d ago

    user·8ec8· App Store· 03 Sept 2026original ↗
    “I try to many times to cancel the subscription I don’t know how I can”v6.12.1
    2 more reviews
    user·2739· App Store· 02 Nov 2024original ↗
    “Very frustrated. Have used app in the past but now it will not let me link a bank account. Only method to be able to receive payments is via PayPal and it won’t let me link it. Please refund me and cancel my subscription”v3.5.140
    user·eac8· App Store· 13 Nov 2023original ↗
    “Great app when I needed it.. now that I no longer need the app, I canceled subscription and continue to be charge the last 2 months. There is no contact info others then an email that goes to error when sending a message…unless you need an invoice generator for the rest of your…”v3.4.176
  6. Payment processing and payout delays

    5%

    8 people · 0 in the last 30 days · latest 27 Jul 2026

    user·fc96· App Store· 01 Apr 2026original ↗
    “The invoicing process is actually simple, but they charge outrageous fees and they hold your money hostage for way too long, which is really bad for business. I’d use literally anyone else and if you see this app run the other way.”v5.16.1
    2 more reviews
    user·09ae· App Store· 22 Nov 2025original ↗
    “You receive a payment then it takes 3-5 days to clear in the app. Then once it clear’s you have to wait another 2-3 business days. Yes it’s free but that’s exactly it, you get what you pay for. Stating 01/01/2026 I’ll be using a new app even if I have to pay.”v5.6.1
    user·0a28· App Store· 27 Apr 2026original ↗
    “Why are you using a company for our payouts that we are not able to communicate with? Stripe is always slow, late and not user friendly. Some people can’t use PayPal so I’m sending them square links or Zelle. Like come on. I love using the invoice system but loosing out on fast…”v6.1.6

2% of complaints say only that the app is bad, without saying what fails; they count as complaints but under no issue. A review can report more than one issue, so the shares do not add up to 100%.

What each release brought

Complaints per App Store version, newest first, with the issue reported most against it. A new version has had fewer days to collect complaints, so compare what is reported more than how much.

  • v6.5.1Most reported: App crashes or fails to save (2)3 complaints · 01 Jul 2026
  • v6.3.0Most reported: Unresponsive or non-existent customer support (3)5 complaints · 22 May 2026
  • v6.2.0Most reported: Frequent and aggressive price increases (4)6 complaints · 06 May 2026
  • v6.1.6Most reported: Limits invoice count mid-subscription (4)6 complaints · 26 Apr 2026
  • v5.18.1No issue reported more than once3 complaints · 06 Apr 2026
  • v5.16.1No issue reported more than once3 complaints · 27 Mar 2026
  • v5.12.1Most reported: Frequent and aggressive price increases (3)3 complaints · 16 Feb 2026
  • v5.10.1Most reported: Frequent and aggressive price increases (3)4 complaints · 22 Jan 2026
  • v5.7.1Most reported: Frequent and aggressive price increases (3)3 complaints · 08 Dec 2025
  • v5.5.2No issue reported more than once3 complaints · 13 Nov 2025
  • v5.4.3Most reported: Limits invoice count mid-subscription (3)5 complaints · 27 Oct 2025
  • v5.3.5Most reported: Frequent and aggressive price increases (5)5 complaints · 13 Oct 2025

The reviews themselves

40 of 147 complaints: the ones that say what fails first, newest first. Every one links to the review on the store.

  • user·f14eApp Storev6.17.16d agoon the store ↗

    Scam

    I cancelled my subscription approximately two weeks ago, but I was charged another £13.49 on 2 November 2026. I am extremely disappointed with this billing experience. I expect a full refund and confirmation that no further payments will be taken.

  • user·1472App Storev6.15.102 Oct 2026on the store ↗

    Support

    No support. The tech team will suspend your ability to message if you give them a tricky question. This app stinks it will hurt your business as it did mine! Help me!

  • user·11a4App Storev6.15.123 Sept 2026on the store ↗

    Not working!

    Very disappointed with this app. I’m paying a monthly subscription fee, but the app isn’t working properly and I can’t use the service I’m paying for. If you’re going to charge customers a subscription fee, the app should actually work. I hope the company fixes this issue and provides a refund or credit for the time the service has been unusable.

  • user·246cApp Storev6.14.121 Sept 2026on the store ↗

    Bugs

    App is awesome and fat, but it’s getting to be too expensive to deal with the same bugs 1. Doesn’t log you out 2. Doesn’t sync well to web 3. Fail delivery on text and email 4. Constant loading symbol on screen Getting old.

  • user·1b35App Storev6.14.014 Sept 2026on the store ↗

    Price

    Be careful when you subscribed. Its consider very expensive and its hard to cancel it. There is no option in the app to cancel it and even email receipt that you had paid. Not a very honest company to deal with.

  • user·8ec8App Storev6.12.103 Sept 2026on the store ↗

    I need to cancel subscription

    I try to many times to cancel the subscription I don’t know how I can

  • user·7da4App Storev6.12.101 Sept 2026on the store ↗

    Disappointing price increase

    I’ve been using this app fir years and didn’t mind paying for it but it’s now started to only allow a certain amount of invoices a month and then another price increase! Really disappointing. It’s a shame and I am looking for another app to replace it.

  • user·4278App Storev6.10.026 Aug 2026on the store ↗

    Did not get what I paid for, no matter how many times I contacted customer service.

    I’ve been using invoice simple for years. Eventually upgraded to the premium £19.99. Every month my account would revert to basic features at random. I would contact customer support about this issue and they would solve it temporarily. My last complaint is still un answered and I’m currently being ignored after I asked for a refund as I’ve never actually had what I’ve paid for. Very disappointing they obviously aren’t the caring company they used to be. Answering your response - I’ve tried emailing , I’ve tried contacting you through the in app chat, I tried calling the contact number which connect me to some hospital care plan line. I’ve now had to go down my bank and actually block my subscription and contact the fraudulent team to get my money back for what I haven’t received from you. So your AI developer responses are just as useful as your actual customer service.

  • user·883fApp Storev6.10.021 Aug 2026on the store ↗

    Terrible

    You get zero support. There support people take days to respond. We paid full price for premium. And half way through the year they upped the price of premium and made us pay for even tho we paid for a year of premium up front. They did this two years in a row. To resolve the problem it, it took over a week and I was unable to bill my clients

  • user·6902App Storev6.9.103 Aug 2026on the store ↗

    As a business owner. Do Not Use invoice simple

    Do not use invoice simple, I have been using this app for years. I started with very little amount per year and since then it has significantly increased. Last month I paid $90 last year and this year they are charging over 250 per yr. Next year they will do the same thing. Save yourself time and money. There was never a year without an aggressive increase

  • user·54c1App Storev6.8.028 Jul 2026on the store ↗

    Money burglers

    Got double charged ( they charged me 2 seperate payment for monthly and yearly payment for the same service same account ) failed to refund me any money and then even when they confirmed ghe any future payments are stopped, they very shameleesly charged me next month again.

  • user·35dfApp Storev6.8.027 Jul 2026on the store ↗

    Poor management

    I’ve been using this for quite a while. It’s been problems where I can’t even load and print off anything at times. On top of that iOS does not allow you to load these invoices so it has to be emailed to customers that have iOS platforms. They partner up with stripe and they allow them to hold onto your first payment for 14 business days. As somebody that’s in the trades usually the payment is for materials. And then labor honestly have not been impressed with this app these last couple months you just keep raising the price but giving a bs product. I will definitely be searching for something better, which is very unfortunate since I have so much time and expenses are already invested.

  • user·ed03App Storev6.6.114 Jul 2026on the store ↗

    Too expensive

    First of all, let me say the app is works great and I love using it for my invoices, but they keep raising the price. I was just sending out an invoice right now and I'm already on the $6.99 a month plan which only allows me 3 invoices per month which is pretty bad. But now when I just went to add photos of the job and the receipts, you guys just raised the price to $15 per month if you want to be able to add photos to your invoice. In my opinion, it's ridiculous and I'm going to search for a new invoice app or just create my own template. I mean seriously what businesses want to pay over $20 a month and only be able to send a limited amount of invoices per month??

  • user·0c09App Storev6.6.114 Jul 2026on the store ↗

    Absolutely unacceptable!!!

    This app is already overpriced and now they have decided to limit the number of invoices you can send per month without notice, suddenly forcing clients to pay even more. Thats a terrible way to treat loyal customers. Very disappointing. I will be looking for a better alternative.

  • user·9398App Storev6.5.106 Jul 2026on the store ↗

    Demands of further funds.

    I’ve been with this app for over 5 years and I’ve found it easy to use. But just today I’ve had trouble sending an invoice to a big client. Yesterday I was completely locked out, so I had to talk with AI, who was useless and I managed to, allegedly, get to type with a real person. Access was returned, and I sent the invoice. But it wouldn’t add the GST. So today I went back into the app and edited the invoice which it allowed me to do. I sent it with the now included GST. Then I tried to view the edited invoice, but was met with a demand for something in excess of $320. My annual subs aren’t due until October 19th! I’m really disappointed that my access to information has been restricted 4 months away from my Subs renewal date. Yet the help line are saying,”this is a re-structuring advised by our engineering team@. Well screw the engineering team, and any others from this company that feels this is fair with 4 months of my subscription to run!!! Not recommended!!

  • user·e907App Storev6.5.103 Jul 2026on the store ↗

    Delete account now

    I need it to stop charging me for nothing I would like my account to be deleted and it’s not allowing

  • user·befeApp Storev6.5.101 Jul 2026on the store ↗

    Terrible!

    I have had this app since 2018 It’s impressive how bad this app has become. -They keep raising the price of the app -They have now reduced the amount of invoices I can make each month so it’s not viable for an actual business -I have to modify invoices several times to get them to save (took 10 mins and 8 attempts to mark an invoice as paid) Very disappointed, at one point this app was good but not anymore, maybe if it was still $7 I’d consider keep it…

  • user·7093App Storev6.4.205 Jun 2026on the store ↗

    This app sucks

    Don’t use this app. I’m stuck until the year is up. Use other invoicing apps. Save your money. Now they want to raise my price because I send a lot of invoices Stupid

  • user·09adApp Storev6.4.205 Jun 2026on the store ↗

    Bunch of thieves

    I’ve been using Invoice Simple for many years and was generally happy with it, but the latest pricing changes are unbelievable. Charging up to £19.99 per month just to create and send invoices is excessive. What was once a simple, reasonably priced invoicing app now feels like a cash grab. Long-time customers seem to have been forgotten in favour of squeezing more money out of users. Unfortunately, I won’t be renewing my subscription and will be deleting the app. Very disappointing to see a product I’ve used for years go down this route.

  • user·84f3App Storev6.4.105 Jun 2026on the store ↗

    Rip off

    Use to be good ,good price but nowadays they become just money hungry charging 300 aud plus for the year for an invoicing app, it’s ridiculous. Take your business somewhere else

  • user·c76dApp Storev6.4.002 Jun 2026on the store ↗

    Keeps getting worse!

    I signed up to this app maybe 4/5 years ago. At first it was great, I was paying for the premium service, and then it was taken over by new ownership. Since then the price has more than doubled, and the service being offered is very minimal. There’s no additional benefits unless you sign up to additional packages, and my ‘grandfathered-in’ package is restricted. It goes up £2-3 a month every 4-6 months, which for a basic invoicing template is extortionate! Wouldn’t rate it. Genuinely disappointed with the service and accessibility.

  • user·59bdApp Storev6.3.031 May 2026on the store ↗

    Terrible customer service

    I have used this app for years and also purchased the unlimited version. But as of 2 months ago I can no longer print or email any invoices/ estimates to my clients. All I get is an error message. I’ve deleted and reinstalled the app a dozen times now and it’s the same thing everytime. I’ve reached out to customer service a few times now and all they say is the back end is looking at it. now they won’t even respond to me. It’s been over 2 months now

  • user·233bApp Storev6.3.029 May 2026on the store ↗

    Greedy

    I’ve been paying for this app for years. They recently reduced the number of invoices per month to THREE. That’s PAID. The upcharge is ridiculous. This doesn’t need to be a subscription in the first place. It’s a static tool. They already try and push you to use their billing services and take a cut. Now they’re pushing the subscription tiers by reducing offered services to existing users. Slimy.

  • user·c689App Storev6.3.025 May 2026on the store ↗

    DON’T BUY

    No support. Been waits weeks for them to fix a problem they acknowledged

  • user·10e1App Storev6.3.024 May 2026on the store ↗

    Wolfe

    What ever you do don’t buy the Invoice Simple. I’ve given them more then a month to fix an issue & it still hasn’t been fixed. They don’t have any back end support. Which means if you have a problem they have no way to fix it. I’ve had the app since 2018. Running 2 companies with it. Recently I had multiple problems with it over a several week period. I made them aware of it with over a dozen emails and they are not getting it fixed. I can’t download invoices. So that means I can’t bill clients. In some cases I will do an estimate, beginning to end & it will completely disappear. There are many business apps out there. Don’t buy into their advertising & marketing. You will find yourself with a customer data base that you can’t do anything with years down the road.

  • user·72efApp Storev6.3.022 May 2026on the store ↗

    To Complicated and forces the information , they want you to right now , not you :((

    To Complicated and forces the information , they want you to right now , not you :(( That universal Just specific job. I tried to create the invoice: didn’t allow me creating an invoice. For the price $200 a year that’s a piece of junk. Why no one makes you put information whatever you want. What do you want how you want

  • user·65f9App Storev6.2.019 May 2026on the store ↗

    Charged me $199.00 and never activated my account again.

    Be careful with this company when they renew your membership, they charge you $200 and then the system will never let you create an invoice without upgrading. There’s no need to upgrade. I just paid you. I had talked to Customer Service and they have given me no answers. I am still without $200 and just basically communicating with AI. Buyer beware.

  • user·ff78App Storev6.2.010 May 2026on the store ↗

    Huge Price increases !!!!! Don’t get this app!!!

    This was the app I chose when I decided to go on my own . In 2017 I just wanted to keep it simple, only wanted to send invoices, it been great, but out of nowhere, I could no longer send an imvoice, as it said I needed to upgrade, to 12.99 a month, but due to the amount of invoices I send, I would need to pay 19.99 a month. I think the price increases are absolutely disgraceful and this company should be completely ashamed of the way they think they can just hike their prices at such an extortionate rate. I’m a man of principle, and for that reason there’s no way I am giving this company best part of £240 a year to send invoices. G

  • user·1aeaApp Storev6.2.007 May 2026on the store ↗

    Scam App

    Been using this for years and then they reward loyalty by doubling the annual price. Stay away!!!

  • user·743aApp Storev6.2.006 May 2026on the store ↗

    WONT LET ME LOG IN

    I’ve used this app for over a year now with no issues. As of today, the app logged me out and will not let me get back in. I have over 2000 invoices saved, and I’m unable to access them. This is causing a huge problem to my business as I am unable to see which businesses owe me money. Customer service is not responding to me

  • user·24ffApp Storev6.2.006 May 2026on the store ↗

    App does not work

    I’ve been using this app for over five years now I went to go open the app again like I usually do and it’s not working at all. I am highly dependent on this app and I have a lot of customers but now I can’t even send invoices or estimates to. I will change my rating once the app starts to work again.

  • user·40b1App Storev6.2.006 May 2026on the store ↗

    What’s happening

    Is this the end of invoice simple used it for years, support used to be on the ball prices are ridiculous now, and it keeps coming up error time to move on I think

  • user·d61eApp Storev6.1.605 May 2026on the store ↗

    Recent update made it so if you have two accounts you can only use one.

    They did a recent update and if you have two different accounts with them they will only let you use one they need to disable the other one so I’m at a point where I can’t use one of my accounts and the other one is acting up now also, 0 warning and 0 help from support, asked if they could swap it to something different so i dont lose all the info on one and the answer was just “unfortunately no” no work arounds, nothing else they suggest, if your looking for a invoice app dont use this one as some day they will just change it and make it unusable for you as well with no warning.

  • user·f67fApp Storev6.1.602 May 2026on the store ↗

    Keeps saying I have 0 invoices left

    This used to be a great app until they did something in the backend because now I constantly keep getting a message that I have 0 invoices left when I pay monthly for unlimited. Keep in mind I pay for 2 accounts because I have 2 shops and each time they want me to delete and uninstall to fix. It has been so constant that I am ending my subscription and will warn others to not download. Shame because it was good for years.

  • user·3a79App Storev6.1.601 May 2026on the store ↗

    Pricing

    I would not recommend this product they continue to increase the price or try to fire you to go premium by limiting how many invoices you can make. They are now going up to almost $15 from $10 and it’s simply not worth it. The greed has become unbearable. I canceled my subscription.

  • user·3494App Storev6.1.601 May 2026on the store ↗

    Changed after years without so much as an email!! Cancelled

    Absolute joke this, I’ve happily used this simple program to make many invoices for the many many years no bother £6:99 a month. I don’t use any features I just want it simple and it was that. I send out many invoices for every little job I do being a contractor. Suddenly today I get a “1 invoice left upgrade” very strange I thought check subscription, yeah all fine contact support. We’ve adjusted our pricing, sorry it’s now £20 a month!! Didn’t tell me that I’ve now only 3 invoices a month for £6.99 when they auto took my cash 2 days ago. If this was communicated, you know maybe an email letting long term customers know in advance of the price hikes we could have cancelled before. What good to anyone is 3 invoices a month. Very disappointing and frankly just a rip off. I’ll never use this program again. Laters

  • user·0a28App Storev6.1.627 Apr 2026on the store ↗

    Stop with stripe

    Why are you using a company for our payouts that we are not able to communicate with? Stripe is always slow, late and not user friendly. Some people can’t use PayPal so I’m sending them square links or Zelle. Like come on. I love using the invoice system but loosing out on fast payouts is frustrating.

  • user·d05fApp Storev6.1.626 Apr 2026on the store ↗

    Overpriced

    I’ve been using Invoice Simple since 2017, back when it was free, and I’ve stuck with it through every price increase. Unfortunately, the latest change is a step too far. Charging £12.99 per month while limiting users to just 10 invoices is a massive drop in value. What used to be a simple, fairly priced app now feels like it’s designed to force users into more expensive tiers. There’s been no meaningful improvement to justify this — just more restrictions. Honestly, it’s not even worth one star at this point, but that’s the lowest rating available. Loyal customers have been completely overlooked.

  • user·9d13App Storev6.1.424 Apr 2026on the store ↗

    👎🏻

    I have been using this app for 11 years. I paid for the app. And now you’re deciding to start charging a subscription. Currently looking for an alternative!

  • user·99dbApp Storev5.18.121 Apr 2026on the store ↗

    App is broken again

    Have used this app for last three years,has been amazing,last update is broken,enter in items or pricing and disappears from invoices.

Do you make Invoice Maker ▸ Invoice Simple?

Claim this page for free: answer these complaints in a note every reader sees, get each week's new ones by email, and add a verified badge to your site.

Claim this page

Questions about Invoice Maker ▸ Invoice Simple

What do users complain about in Invoice Maker ▸ Invoice Simple?
The specific problems reported most, counted by people: Frequent and aggressive price increases (85 people, 58%); Limits invoice count mid-subscription (70 people, 48%); Unresponsive or non-existent customer support (26 people, 18%); App crashes or fails to save (23 people, 16%); Unable to cancel subscription (17 people, 12%). 2% of complaints say only that the app is bad, without saying what fails.
How many people complain about Invoice Maker ▸ Invoice Simple?
147 reviews rated 3 stars or below from 147 people on App Store, written between 15 Jul 2019 and 02 Nov 2026; 1 people in the last 30 days. The reviews themselves, each linked to the store, are listed on this page.
What do people report about the latest Invoice Maker ▸ Invoice Simple update?
Version 6.5.1 (first reviewed 01 Jul 2026) has 3 complaints on the App Store; the issue reported most against it is app crashes or fails to save (2 people). Google Play reviews carry no version.
Is this Invoice Maker ▸ Invoice Simple's store rating?
No. Only reviews rated 3 stars or below are collected, so these numbers describe complaints and cannot be read as the app's App Store or Google Play score.

Other Accounting & invoicing apps people complain about

Same vertical, same star-rating rule.