# Dwarf Fortress Remote vs Cryptic Mind

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Cryptic Mind at none against Dwarf Fortress Remote's 1. On price, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Dwarf Fortress Remote sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $4.99 per month. Cryptic Mind asks for nothing beyond the download.

Dwarf Fortress Remote ships an update monthly, Cryptic Mind every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 18, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Dwarf Fortress Remote | Cryptic Mind |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[3.3 (143 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dwarf-fortress-remote/id1003660287/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **143** | — |
| Positive reviews | 59.8% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Monthly** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 8 MB | 19 MB |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [MIFKI PTY LTD](https://appshunter.io/developer/316521224) | [ADAVII (PVT) LTD](https://appshunter.io/developer/1711708818) |

## What reviewers say

### Dwarf Fortress Remote

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dwarf-fortress-remote/id1003660287)

Control your fantasy world simulation game remotely on your mobile device. Manage a group of dwarves, build a thriving fortress, and explore a procedurally generated world with complex systems. Requires the original game and a server connection.

**Highlights:** Remote Fortress Mode control, Complex world simulation, Dwarf management, Fortress construction, Procedurally generated worlds, Detailed geology and weather

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Server Subscription | $4.99 | per month |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Intuitive touch interface superior to PC controls
- 💡 Innovative remote play solution for complex game
- 🎮 Enables playing Dwarf Fortress on mobile devices
- ⚙️ Works smoothly with home network setup
- 🔧 Free option available with self-hosted server

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💳 Requires paid subscription or PC setup (confusing to users)
- 🐛 Frequent server connection errors and failures
- ⚠️ App abandoned/outdated for extended periods
- 📦 Missing tilesets causing functionality issues
- 🔌 Inconsistent server reliability

**Reported bugs**

- Server subscription errors preventing gameplay
- App crashes when opening squad command menus
- Endless initialization loops on server subscription
- Connection failures when connecting to home PC
- Black screen on map load (tileset issue)

**Requested features**

- Adventure mode support
- Custom embark location selection
- DFHack plugin support (workflow, autolabor, digvein)
- World map visualization
- Sound effects


### Cryptic Mind

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cryptic-mind/id6737751545)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Dwarf Fortress Remote free?

Dwarf Fortress Remote is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Cryptic Mind free?

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

### Do Dwarf Fortress Remote or Cryptic Mind have ads?

Neither Dwarf Fortress Remote nor Cryptic Mind shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Dwarf Fortress Remote or Cryptic Mind?

Dwarf Fortress Remote ships an update monthly, and Cryptic Mind every 2 months. Most recently, Dwarf Fortress Remote was updated on October 20, 2026 and Cryptic Mind on October 18, 2026.

---

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