Comparison

Timecrest vs uStory

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Timecrest

Embark on an epic fantasy adventure where your choices shape the narrative. As a young mage, you'll explore a magical world, uncover plot twists, and make decisions that determine the fate of a realm threatened by destruction. Experience a rich story with an emotional soundtrack.

Highlights
  • Interactive chat story
  • Branching narrative choices
  • Fantasy adventure
  • Explore a magical world
  • Emotional custom soundtrack
  • Unlockable music tracks
Features
Read full description

*** Best Game & Developer of the Year, AppleVis Golden Apples *** *** Featured in Apple's App Store Best Of *** “An interesting story... Simple fun.” - The New York Times Timecrest is a young adult fantasy where you are the main character. A young mage named Ash contacts you frantically through a pocket watch connecting to your iPhone asking for your help. Ash’s world, Alyncia, is about to be destroyed by falling meteors, but you demonstrate the ability to save Ash’s world by turning back time. There isn’t long to celebrate as Ash is suddenly being hunted by someone who informs you that you’ve done the impossible–your use of time magic has broken the rules of magic. Whether you save the world or do something else, your journey will take you through wondrous places where you’ll meet people that will either become your friends or your enemies. The decision to experience this game is yours, but if you do adventure in Alyncia, it will be the journey of a lifetime. - MAKE YOUR CHOICE. Timecrest is a story where no path is the wrong one. Walk your own road and experience a satisfying story no matter what. - EXPLORE A MAGICAL WORLD. Timecrest pulls no punches with big emotional moments and plot twists across over 640,000 words. - EXPERIENCE FANTASY AND WONDER. Timecrest features an emotional custom soundtrack with 34 musical tracks to unlock. What people are saying about Timecrest: “The characters really do draw you in.” - Jamie Pauls “It's not just a survival, yes/no–binary choice thing. It's like you're watching actual characters, actual people, living actual lives.” - Alex Hall “Timecrest stands out.” - AFB, AccessWorld Magazine “Worth a look–even if you’re not a fan of interactive fiction–as this is the best one so far.” - RNIB Connect Radio

About

uStory

Create and read interactive stories where your choices shape the narrative. Utilize AI to write branching storylines and explore endless worlds across various genres. Publish your own creations and experience unique, evolving reading sessions.

Highlights
  • AI-assisted story creation
  • Branching narratives with AI continuations
  • Multiple story genres
  • Personalized reading experiences
  • Publish user-created stories
  • Unique, evolving story sessions
Read full description

uStory – Write the Story, Make the Choices Every choice leads to a new story. Whether you're a reader or a writer, uStory puts the power in your hands. Dive into thrilling adventures, romantic journeys, mysterious puzzles, or intense drama. Now you can do more than just read — you can create with the power of AI. NEW: AI-POWERED STORY CREATION Let your imagination flow. Write the first page and choices — and let AI take it from there. Every reader makes different choices, and the story continues in real time, generated by AI. * Start your story: Write the first scene and define the initial choices. * Add details: Title, summary, genre, background, cover photo, and language. * Publish it: Readers interact with your story and shape their own paths. * AI writes the next page and options based on each reader’s decisions. * No two paths are the same. Every reader gets a unique, dynamic experience. What You’ll Find on uStory: Interactive Stories Choose your path in every chapter. Genres include adventure, romance, mystery, fantasy, horror, and more. Romantic Storylines Fall in love, flirt, and build deep connections with emotional characters in immersive love stories. Choices That Matter Your decisions shape the storyline and determine how it ends. You’re in full control. Create Your Own Story Become a creator! Team up with AI to build your own branching story and share it with the uStory community. Endless Worlds to Explore From magical lands to emotional dramas, explore stories across countless genres — or create your own universe. Features: * AI-assisted interactive story creation * Branching narratives with real-time AI-generated continuations * Romance, mystery, fantasy, drama, and more * Personalized reading experiences based on your choices * Publish your own stories and reach new readers * Every story session is unique and evolving uStory brings stories to life — written by you, shaped by your choices, and powered by AI. Are you ready to choose your path and begin your story? By downloading uStory, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Privacy Policy: https://ustory.app/privacy Terms of Service: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Timecrest4 screens
uStory4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Timecrest at 4.7 against uStory's 4.3. Timecrest also leads on ratings volume (855 vs 6) and review sentiment (85% vs 67%). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Timecrest sells 12 one-off in-app purchases and uStory sells 12 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Timecrest holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Timecrest has 855 ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 85% of Timecrest's written reviews are positive against 67% of uStory's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Timecrest ships an update monthly, uStory every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 18, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Timecrest versus uStory: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTimecrestuStory
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (855 ratings) — better4.3 (6 ratings)
Positive reviews85.2% of reviews — better66.7% of reviews
Number of ratings855 — better6
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.215.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size308 MB186 MB
Age rating9+9+
DeveloperSneaky Crab, Inc.Kenan Kurt

Customer experience

Timecrest

All ratings855 ratings
Positive92.4%
Neutral4.8%
Negative2.8%
Written reviews209 reviews
Positive85.2%
Neutral5.7%
Negative9.1%

uStory

All ratings6 ratings
Positive83.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative16.7%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral16.7%
Negative16.7%

Bugs and requests

Timecrest

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Inconsistent save data across devices
  • Text overlapping/glitching issues
  • Relationship points not tracking properly

Requested features

4 requests
  • Ability to earn more time crystals in-game
  • More control and customization options
  • Expanded story and content updates
  • Improved save/load functionality

uStory

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

12 purchases

Timecrest

One-time12
  • 300 Time Crystals$0.99
  • 636 Time Crystals$1.99
  • Memory Oracle Starter Pack$2.99
Show 9 more
  • 1296 Time Crystals$3.99
  • One Time Welcome Pack$5.99
  • 2310 Time Crystals$6.99
  • 3330 Time Crystals$9.99
  • 6,330 Time Crystals$18.99
  • 6900 Time Crystals$19.99
  • 13,330 Time Crystals$39.99
  • 19,997 Time Crystals$59.99
  • 34479 Time Crystals$99.99
12 purchases

uStory

Subscriptions2
  • Weekly3 Days trial$4.997 Days
  • Yearly3 Days trial$69.991 Year
One-time10
  • 10 uMoney$0.99
  • 80 uMoney$0.99
  • 25 uMoney$1.99
Show 7 more
  • 50 uMoney$3.99
  • 500 uMoney$4.99
  • 100 uMoney$7.99
  • 1200 uMoney$9.99
  • 2500 uMoney$19.99
  • 6500 uMoney$49.99
  • 14000 uMoney$99.99

Questions

Is Timecrest free?
Timecrest is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is uStory free?
uStory is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Timecrest or uStory?
Timecrest is rated higher. Timecrest averages 4.7 out of 5 from 855 ratings, while uStory averages 4.3 from 6 ratings.
Do Timecrest or uStory have ads?
Neither Timecrest nor uStory shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Timecrest or uStory?
Timecrest ships an update monthly, and uStory every 2 months. Most recently, Timecrest was updated on September 22, 2026 and uStory on September 18, 2026.

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