# Don't get fired! vs The Startup

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Don't get fired! at 84% against The Startup's 5%. Don't get fired! also leads on rating (4.5 vs 3.9) and monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription). The Startup's advantage is update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 3 months) and iOS requirement (11 vs 14.0). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Don't get fired! sells 10 one-off in-app purchases and The Startup sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Don't get fired! holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 8.6K and 20K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 84% of Don't get fired!'s written reviews are positive against 5% of The Startup's.

Don't get fired! ships an update every 3 months, The Startup every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on October 21, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Don't get fired! | The Startup |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.5 (8.6K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dont-get-fired/id1008957297/reviews)** | [3.9 (20K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-startup-interactive-game/id1507772627/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 8.6K | **20K** |
| Positive reviews | **84.4% of reviews** | 5.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Subscription |
| Size | 122 MB | 153 MB |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 | **11** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [QuickTurtle Co., Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/843259814) | [Wolf Gaming](https://appshunter.io/developer/1666447750) |

## What reviewers say

### Don't get fired!

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dont-get-fired/id1008957297)

A hardcore survival game where you navigate the harsh realities of the corporate world. Start as an intern with nothing and climb the company ladder to become president. Experience challenging work conditions and make your career dreams come true.

**Highlights:** Climb the company ladder, Start as an intern, Experience harsh working conditions, Simple controls, Survival gameplay

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

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Charging challenge count | $0.99 | one-time |
| Shop Purchasing Gold 1 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Shop Purchasing Gold 2 | $2.99 | one-time |
| No Ads | $2.99 | one-time |
| Doubled Pension | $2.99 | one-time |
| Shop Purchasing Gold 3 | $5.99 | one-time |
| Shop Purchasing Gold 4 | $9.99 | one-time |
| Shop Purchasing Gold 5 | $29.99 | one-time |
| Shop Purchasing Gold 6 | $59.99 | one-time |
| Shop Purchasing Gold 7 | $99.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Fun and addictive gameplay
- 🚀 Engaging corporate ladder climbing
- 💡 Unique and relatable concept
- 🤗 Humorous and self-aware
- 🔥 Challenging but rewarding progression

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes and bugs
- 🕰️ Slow progression and high grind
- 🤯 Extremely difficult to avoid getting fired
- 💰 Monetization through ads and IAPs
- 🤔 Lack of customization options

**Reported bugs**

- Inability to click on managers/higher-ups
- Part-time job feature not working properly
- Promotion chance resetting after failed promotions
- Inconsistent responsiveness of UI elements

**Requested features**

- Customizable character and appearance
- Retain promotion progress after getting fired
- More upgrades and challenges to acquire
- Detailed background on higher-level characters
- Adjustable UI element sizes


### The Startup

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-startup-interactive-game/id1507772627)

Build and manage your own Silicon Valley startup in this interactive role-playing simulation. Recruit a team, develop products, secure funding, and navigate business challenges to become a successful tycoon. Your choices shape your unique startup story.

**Highlights:** Build and manage a startup, Recruit a team of specialists, Develop and market products, Secure venture capital, Real estate management, Choose-your-own-story gameplay, Business simulation

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

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium Access | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Gold Membership | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Private Banking | $29.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium Access | $79.99 | per year |
| Step Back | $2.99 | one-time |
| Small Money Pack | $4.99 | one-time |
| Medium Money Pack | $9.99 | one-time |
| Big Money Pack | $19.99 | one-time |
| Super Big Money Pack | $39.99 | one-time |
| Legendary Money Pack | $99.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Creative concept
- 🚀 Interesting business simulation
- 👍 Great graphics and UI

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Excessive monetization and paywalls
- ⏱️ Frequent long wait times
- 🐛 Buggy and unstable
- 📖 Too much reading, not enough gameplay
- 💰 Overpriced in-app purchases

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes and freezes
- Purchases not registering correctly
- Inconsistent and confusing UI

**Requested features**

- Ability to go back and change previous decisions
- More freedom and control over business decisions
- Longer and more engaging gameplay


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Don't get fired! free?

Don't get fired! is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is The Startup free?

The Startup is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Don't get fired! or The Startup?

Don't get fired! is rated higher. Don't get fired! averages 4.5 out of 5 from 8.6K ratings, while The Startup averages 3.9 from 20K ratings.

### Do Don't get fired! or The Startup have ads?

Both Don't get fired! and The Startup show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Don't get fired! or The Startup?

Don't get fired! ships an update every 3 months, and The Startup every 2 weeks. Most recently, Don't get fired! was updated on October 21, 2026 and The Startup on October 21, 2026.

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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.*