# Dwarf Fortress Remote vs Ashen Frontier

Dwarf Fortress Remote and Ashen Frontier are too close to call on the numbers: across 5 compared parameters — price, ads, in-app purchases and device support among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

Both are free to download. Dwarf Fortress Remote sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $4.99 per month and Ashen Frontier sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

## The numbers

| Metric | Dwarf Fortress Remote | Ashen Frontier |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 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 | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Monthly | — |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 8 MB | 136 MB |
| Requires iOS | **14.0** | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 17+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [MIFKI PTY LTD](https://appshunter.io/developer/316521224) | [侑利 姚](https://appshunter.io/developer/6794161537) |

## 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- ⚠️ App abandoned/outdated for extended periods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


### Ashen Frontier

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ashen-frontier/id6813841971)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Full Game | $2.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Dwarf Fortress Remote free?

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

### Is Ashen Frontier free?

Ashen Frontier is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do Dwarf Fortress Remote or Ashen Frontier have ads?

Neither Dwarf Fortress Remote nor Ashen Frontier shows ads.

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