Review Insights · App Store
Warhammer 40,000: The App
Games Workshop Limited · 1,257 ratings · ★ 3.1
3.1
★★★★★
1,257 ratings
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Top complaints - extracted from 54 negative reviews
Recurring phrases mined from 1-2★ reviews. The bigger the percentage, the more users have the same problem. Fix the top 2-3 in your version and you have product-market fit on day one.
1
"subscription"
19 negative reviews mention this · 35% of all complaints
★★★★★ "can’t do anything. you have to buy the books irl or have a subscription this app is stupid i’ll just use a free alternative" - lordbiscuits
2
"codex"
17 negative reviews mention this · 31% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Codex not Available. I received an email telling me that I successfully redeemed my black Templars codex, and the app will not let me access it. Customer support has not helped at all either." - Erstel_
3
"free"
14 negative reviews mention this · 26% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Newbie, This or Warmachine. If warhammer is trying to get new players, they just lost this one. The app’s free option only allows 1 build out, in which there are dozens of factions to choose from, and that’s before you look at space marines. So I’m not able to compar…" - IT Workman
4
"rules"
14 negative reviews mention this · 26% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Newbie, This or Warmachine. If warhammer is trying to get new players, they just lost this one. The app’s free option only allows 1 build out, in which there are dozens of factions to choose from, and that’s before you look at space marines. So I’m not able to compar…" - IT Workman
5
"army"
11 negative reviews mention this · 20% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Newbie, This or Warmachine. If warhammer is trying to get new players, they just lost this one. The app’s free option only allows 1 build out, in which there are dozens of factions to choose from, and that’s before you look at space marines. So I’m not able to compar…" - IT Workman
6
"play"
11 negative reviews mention this · 20% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Newbie, This or Warmachine. If warhammer is trying to get new players, they just lost this one. The app’s free option only allows 1 build out, in which there are dozens of factions to choose from, and that’s before you look at space marines. So I’m not able to compar…" - IT Workman
7
"access"
11 negative reviews mention this · 20% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Codex not Available. I received an email telling me that I successfully redeemed my black Templars codex, and the app will not let me access it. Customer support has not helped at all either." - Erstel_
8
"locked"
10 negative reviews mention this · 19% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Newbie, This or Warmachine. If warhammer is trying to get new players, they just lost this one. The app’s free option only allows 1 build out, in which there are dozens of factions to choose from, and that’s before you look at space marines. So I’m not able to compar…" - IT Workman
9
"books"
10 negative reviews mention this · 19% of all complaints
★★★★★ "can’t do anything. you have to buy the books irl or have a subscription this app is stupid i’ll just use a free alternative" - lordbiscuits
10
"money"
10 negative reviews mention this · 19% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Mediocre. It charges money for information and services that are poorly delivered. Me and an opponent had many disagreements on how certain rule worked such as melta and the rules for melta were not easily accessible, the weapon stats were not easily…" - mabe apple
11
"warhammer"
7 negative reviews mention this · 13% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Newbie, This or Warmachine. If warhammer is trying to get new players, they just lost this one. The app’s free option only allows 1 build out, in which there are dozens of factions to choose from, and that’s before you look at space marines. So I’m not able to compar…" - IT Workman
12
"armies"
7 negative reviews mention this · 13% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Newbie, This or Warmachine. If warhammer is trying to get new players, they just lost this one. The app’s free option only allows 1 build out, in which there are dozens of factions to choose from, and that’s before you look at space marines. So I’m not able to compar…" - IT Workman
📋 All 54 negative reviews
Every 1-2★ review we fetched. Use the copy button to grab them all for your own analysis (paste into ChatGPT/Claude with a prompt like "summarize core user problems, group by theme, ignore bugs, focus on missing features").
Newbie, This or Warmachine
If warhammer is trying to get new players, they just lost this one.
The app’s free option only allows 1 build out, in which there are dozens of factions to choose from, and that’s before you look at space marines. So I’m not able to compare to see if what I chose is what I want.
After choosing an army, you need to choose from a dozen detachments, which details are locked to free accounts. As a player looking to get into a game, locking me out of information on required parts unless I pay is obscene.
And that’s where I said I’m done.
The Warmachine app allows me to see all of the rules an army options for free, and let’s me design 6 armies to let me examine how each build out.
Warhammer wants to charge me to see if I want to play. Warmachine is built so when I’m ready to commit, I know what I’m walking into.
Sorry Warhammer, you’re just the inferior product for newbies…
The app’s free option only allows 1 build out, in which there are dozens of factions to choose from, and that’s before you look at space marines. So I’m not able to compare to see if what I chose is what I want.
After choosing an army, you need to choose from a dozen detachments, which details are locked to free accounts. As a player looking to get into a game, locking me out of information on required parts unless I pay is obscene.
And that’s where I said I’m done.
The Warmachine app allows me to see all of the rules an army options for free, and let’s me design 6 armies to let me examine how each build out.
Warhammer wants to charge me to see if I want to play. Warmachine is built so when I’m ready to commit, I know what I’m walking into.
Sorry Warhammer, you’re just the inferior product for newbies…
can’t do anything
you have to buy the books irl or have a subscription this app is stupid i’ll just use a free alternative
Greedy
I already spent so much dont be pigs🐷🐷🐖🐖
Seems pointless
Trying to see how the app even works, and everything is locked content… So I go through the trouble of signing up. And everything is still locked content… Simply trying to learn how to play Warhammer. But I can’t even figure out how to use the dumb app. Seems pointless.
Codex not Available
I received an email telling me that I successfully redeemed my black Templars codex, and the app will not let me access it. Customer support has not helped at all either.
Search function does not work
The button to search does nothing, and therefore is not worth paying for. Other apps do more for free.
Mediocre
It charges money for information and services that are poorly delivered. Me and an opponent had many disagreements on how certain rule worked such as melta and the rules for melta were not easily accessible, the weapon stats were not easily visible for example the war dog executioner has two auto cannons but the app only lists it as if it only has one while the data cards and other free army builders show it has two. Overall not worth peoples time or money.
Critical Feedback After Reading 100+ Low Reviews - Please Address
I'm writing this after reading dozens of 1-2 star reviews, and the pattern is clear: this app has serious problems that need addressing.
THE MAIN ISSUES:
MISLEADING PRICING: The app promises access to faction rules and datasheets, but you must buy $60 codexes PER ARMY to unlock content beyond list building. Subscription + codex purchases + supplements can easily cost $200+ to access three factions. That's before buying a single miniature.
MISSING CONTENT: Even after paying, users report incomplete datasheets, missing Legends units (still sold on your webstore!), and poor formatting. Wargear is lumped together in confusing blocks. Command Bunker doesn't show weapon quantities.
BAIT AND SWITCH: 10th edition launched with free datasheets for everyone. Now they're locked behind codex paywalls. You changed the deal after people subscribed.
BETTER FREE ALTERNATIVES: BattleScribe offers superior functionality at zero cost. Your official app should be the best option, not the worst.
TO THE DEVELOPERS:
Your low reviews aren't from entitled complainers - they're from paying customers who feel misled. New players are being priced out. Veterans are frustrated by incomplete features. The community is telling you something is wrong.
WHAT NEEDS TO CHANGE:
1. Include basic datasheets with the subscription
2. Add all Legends units you still sell
3. Fix the formatting and UX issues
4. Be transparent about total costs upfront
5. Stop forcing customers to competitors
I want to support official GW tools, but after seeing review after review describing false advertising and missing features, I cannot recommend this app. You've built a premium brand on loyal fans - please listen to them before you lose them.
Do better. Your community deserves it.
THE MAIN ISSUES:
MISLEADING PRICING: The app promises access to faction rules and datasheets, but you must buy $60 codexes PER ARMY to unlock content beyond list building. Subscription + codex purchases + supplements can easily cost $200+ to access three factions. That's before buying a single miniature.
MISSING CONTENT: Even after paying, users report incomplete datasheets, missing Legends units (still sold on your webstore!), and poor formatting. Wargear is lumped together in confusing blocks. Command Bunker doesn't show weapon quantities.
BAIT AND SWITCH: 10th edition launched with free datasheets for everyone. Now they're locked behind codex paywalls. You changed the deal after people subscribed.
BETTER FREE ALTERNATIVES: BattleScribe offers superior functionality at zero cost. Your official app should be the best option, not the worst.
TO THE DEVELOPERS:
Your low reviews aren't from entitled complainers - they're from paying customers who feel misled. New players are being priced out. Veterans are frustrated by incomplete features. The community is telling you something is wrong.
WHAT NEEDS TO CHANGE:
1. Include basic datasheets with the subscription
2. Add all Legends units you still sell
3. Fix the formatting and UX issues
4. Be transparent about total costs upfront
5. Stop forcing customers to competitors
I want to support official GW tools, but after seeing review after review describing false advertising and missing features, I cannot recommend this app. You've built a premium brand on loyal fans - please listen to them before you lose them.
Do better. Your community deserves it.
Pen and paper doesn’t require monthly fees
Besides core rules
Pretty much useless without a subscription
Can’t make a roster without one
Sign in, click an army
Locked unless you own the codex, wants you to go to website
So either carry physical products or pay monthly
Pretty much useless without a subscription
Can’t make a roster without one
Sign in, click an army
Locked unless you own the codex, wants you to go to website
So either carry physical products or pay monthly
Nothing is free subscription only
Don’t say it’s then make us pay for a subscription for basic info we can get off the internet , delete this app and just ask ai chat
I love warhammer and hate GW
Locked features behind a paywall, such as character stats and only one army.
Greed is the root of all chaos
-Titus, probably
Greed is the root of all chaos
-Titus, probably
Holy greed
Just let us like one time payment for $20 or something… $60 a year for a warhammer app on my phone is horrendous. Please dont be spineless and buy into this stuff people, these corporations need to learn this is ridiculous.
Bait and switch
I’m happy I only paid for one month. I wasn’t aware that I also had to buy the codexes. I bought a Leviathan box that only had the minis so I’m SOL. Very disappointed as I’m a new player and was looking forward to using this app.
Hate the Welcome Screen
I actually love the app. I use it more than any other list builder and they keep it updated so it’s nice to have a source of truth. But please, for the love of the Eternal God-Emperor, please get rid of the welcome splash screen. Please? I’m asking nicely.
Paywalls on paywalls
You pay for a subscription to use the app then it doesn’t even allow you to access all the rules without paying for each set again.
Subscribe for no benefits
It’s a bait and switch. Everything is locked, so they make you think that if you make an account, you’ll have access to all of the content. Turns out you have to pay for a monthly subscription and buy your factions’ codex to even have access to what you want. This is really off putting as someone new to the hobby, I just want to build some theoretical armies and I can’t even do that. What a joke.
Paywall
Trying to get into Warhammer and figure out what models are what, but this app locks all the relevant information behind a paywall. They expect me to go buy 100s of dollars worth of informational content just to see what models I should buy to suit my play style.
No thanks, I guess I’ll try to find 3rd party resources or just not play Warhammer at all.
No thanks, I guess I’ll try to find 3rd party resources or just not play Warhammer at all.
This App is now worthless
I’m a paying user and long-time 40K player, but removing datasheets from Battle Forge has made this app basically useless during actual games.
You can build an army, but you can’t see what any of your units do unless you buy a separate codex or open Wahapedia in another window. That’s ridiculous.
The app used to have full rules access - now it’s just a fancy list manager. If GW wants players to actually use their official tools instead of third-party sites, datasheets need to be integrated back into Battle Forge for paying users.
Please fix this. Right now it feels like we’re paying for half an app.
You can build an army, but you can’t see what any of your units do unless you buy a separate codex or open Wahapedia in another window. That’s ridiculous.
The app used to have full rules access - now it’s just a fancy list manager. If GW wants players to actually use their official tools instead of third-party sites, datasheets need to be integrated back into Battle Forge for paying users.
Please fix this. Right now it feels like we’re paying for half an app.
Want to use this game pay 400$
This should be taken down as a free app. The entire app is locked before a pay wall.
locked features
Charging a monthly free and still locking game data behind addition paywalls creates poor game play experiences. I’ve been to many tournaments where opponents misrepresented their unit abilities and I was unable to verify the unit abilities because the content was locked behind an additional paywall.
This App Is Not Good
You don’t unlock anything for the basic subscription and they charge 50 dollars more to unlock. Save your time and MONEY on google 🤟🏽🤟🏽
Garbage app from an evil, scummy company.
There’s no support to purchase codes online. So you have to wait for slow production of physical books, and slow shipping speeds.
Then you need a monthly subscription.
Then constant internet access.
These people are jokes, and should be ashamed of themselves.
It also takes sooo long for them to update with the updated rules and points.
Then you need a monthly subscription.
Then constant internet access.
These people are jokes, and should be ashamed of themselves.
It also takes sooo long for them to update with the updated rules and points.
Can’t get right
This app should be free
Could be good but fails constantly
Constantly this app fails to recognize my subscription which prevents me from building armies…the main purpose of the app I’ve emailed the devs twice without resolve. It’s useless and I’ll be dancelling my sub
Make the rules free!!
Why can’t games workshop just make rules free??
Useless app
In order to use this worthless app you need to buy a physical book, what a shameless cash grab from GW. The funny thing is i am the kind of person to buy physical books but since it is forced i will never do it.
Avoid GW products at all costs
Avoid all GW products and media. They have repeatedly shown to hate their own fans by suing and attacking anyone they can catch making fan artwork. If I were able to refund all the models I’ve bought off them I would in a heartbeat. If you want to play tabletop, 3D print the models or find a similar gaming system, and pirate any video games you might want.
Monthly subscription?
I despise the absolute greed of companies. You have to pay $6.99 A MONTH to make more armies?????
Money grab
If I already pay to use the app I shouldn’t also have to go buy a separate codex to look at the data sheet, it is stupid and a money grab
Doesn’t work.
Downloaded and hit continue using free vision, and it said dual do download and contact customer service. Seems like they are just trying toforce me to buy the upgraded edition. Cause it’s not like I do t own the books or anything right?
Everything is locked!
Trying to figure out how exactly I want to build my army, but I can’t view anything because content is locked. You would think the easy place to go as a first time player getting into the tabletop would be check out the official app. You would be wrong. I’m not paying a subscription for a hobby I just started. Maybe if I were a long time enthusiast, but for entry level this is a pretty big gate keep.
Broke
Account registration doesn’t even work. I’ve tried to sign up multiple times
Usless
Useless unless you want to run around to a bunch if different sites with no clear instructions where to go or what you need to do to access things. Example went to adepta sororitas army. But detachments are “lock” but if you own a codex ,which I do, you can go to their “ official site” which I assume is warhammer.com for mor instructions but good luck finding how to unlock. You can not access full app unless you go to mywarhammer.com and sign up. Just seems like a lot of wasted time to never get to why you download app to start with
Keeps getting worse
As this edition has gone on, the app has become significantly worse. Every few months you loose access to rules unless you pay additional money ON TOP of your subscription. And if you even do go along with their requirement for additional cash, the rules you gain access to are worse than what they were before, and far more restricted, meaning you loose even more money by loosing the ability to play models that they no longer want you to use.
Save thousands of dollars, play older editions. Skip the app, skip GW’s scummy practices.
Save thousands of dollars, play older editions. Skip the app, skip GW’s scummy practices.
Subscription
I paid for the whole year and it says that am a free member
How Greed Destroys an App
This app started off great, you could make as many lists as you wanted and had access to every armies rules. Then, GW realized they would lose money on Codex sales so they paywalled every army as soon as they got a codex. Now the updates barely roll out and a new army can be released but you have to wait three months before the app is updated to reflect your new army and updated rules.
People were using this app to plan out armies, which would have increased models sales if HW had any patience, but now it’s just people who play at home because the rules are almost never up-to-date.
Greedy people are destroying this app
People were using this app to plan out armies, which would have increased models sales if HW had any patience, but now it’s just people who play at home because the rules are almost never up-to-date.
Greedy people are destroying this app
Thanks GW
Thank you for giving us something we can’t actually use that we need in order to play the game with. unless we buy your books and pay for a subscription this really helps the community and the people who play.
Terrible app
Would be great if it worked.
Pointless Premium
Don’t spend money on the monthly premium. Despite what you would expect it doesn’t offer the benefit of showing you the army lists. That they expect you to pay 60$ for in the form of their books. And yes for each faction. Screw that instead go to your local GW store, they usually don’t bate an eye, rip the plastic off and write down the code on the back page. Problem solved now you can use your app properly.
All paywalled
Just use wahapedia, don’t waste your time or money
App wont work at all
I bought a codex and redeemed the code. I can’t even open the app to use it. It’s unbelievable 1/5 stars.
Subscribe?!
I don’t see why an app needs a subscription when you still have to buy the codex just for a quick reference or list builder. Do better Games Workshop!
Greedy
Honestly, use a third-party software if you can. If you’re on Apple, you’re doomed but if you’re on anything else stay away from this app
Codex’s are a scam
Basically the app is unusable for many factions after the launch of an edition as codex’s come out which are 60$ books of rules that aren’t accurate and will get changed Day 1, followed by reused art and incorrect points. The whole thing is a scam and the only way you can use the app for your faction is dropping 60$. What if you wanna try a new faction you bought some models for? Or preview other rules? Well GW thinks you should get bent and pay 60$.
Magnusismyguy
Id review as zero but it won’t let me. Ridiculous money grab and games workshop is gross for it. Can’t look at anything without purchasing another 60$ codex. Just a greedy company. Use wahpedia and don’t use this app.
Not worth the cost.
Considering how much we have to spend on models and core rule books, it is absurd to expect us to pay this much more for new codex sheets every revision. Greed. 100%. Find the leaked sheets online. You could have made good money on ad revenue by making the sheets free.
Huge Paywall
App works well enough. Requires a subscription to get many features. Also requires physical books to be purchased for each faction. Making it impossible to get access to opponents rules.
Just let us buy a digital code
If you sold codex codes for the app for $20 you would probably make more than selling codexes. And players could play their armies on the app (which is fantastic). It’s 2025 and everything is digital now. Just do it.
Good if you have your wallet nearby
Monthly subscription to just use, then everything is locked until you pay for their $65 books for each faction. Thats on top of their crazy overpriced models.
Paywall pain
App is awesome for list building and very nice for a newer play to ensure I’m making a legal list. Paywall making more than one list and paywalling basic rules on other armies is diabolical.
I’ll just google the information so all you’ve done is waste my time.
It would be a perfect app if a subscription unlocked the app entirely but no.
I’ll just google the information so all you’ve done is waste my time.
It would be a perfect app if a subscription unlocked the app entirely but no.
+ 4 more in the clipboard copy
Sentiment summary
49%
Positive (4-5★)
7%
Neutral (3★)
43%
Negative (1-2★)