Comparison

Barman Hero vs Populus Run

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

Head to head
About

Barman Hero

Serve customers by filling mugs and sliding drinks across the bar. Collect empty mugs before they fall and earn tips. Features classic arcade gameplay with simple touch controls and multiple stages.

Highlights
  • Classic arcade gameplay
  • Simple touch controls
  • Serve drinks to customers
  • Collect empty mugs
  • Game Center support
  • Over 20 stages
  • AppleTV version
Features
Read full description

Fast, fun and insanely addictive. Once you press Start you can't stop playing!. Enjoy a classic arcade gameplay using the ultimate touch technology built in your iOS device. “Barman Hero – The Next Most Popular App On IPhone” iPhone Kicks “I was a bit skeptical myself when trying this out, but it soon became pretty fun (and addictive).” AppAdvice Do you miss the straightforward fun from good old days? Tired of complicated control schemes with lots of buttons? Enjoy a classic arcade gameplay using the ultimate touch technology built in your iOS device and AppleTV with Barman Hero. Help our hero to serve customers entering the place. Fill the mugs and slide drinks over the bar but watch out, make sure there is someone to pick them up! Collect all empty mugs before they fall down the end of the bar and get tips from your satisfied clients. -Includes AppleTV version!! Enjoy the full console experience -Fast, simple and addictive gameplay -Game Center support with achievements and leaderboard -More than 20 stages across four scenarios -Bonus stage between scenarios. Find the right can to get extra points

About

Populus Run

Control a crowd of people in this unique running game. Dodge obstacles, battle quirky bosses, and discover hidden characters. Enjoy the full experience with a one-time purchase.

Highlights
  • Control a crowd of people
  • Dodge giant fast food
  • Slide down pipes
  • Battle rapper bosses
  • Hardcore mode
  • Collect secret characters
  • Original soundtrack
Features
Read full description

Play the opening levels for free with no ads. Unlock the full game forever with a single in-app purchase. Populus Run is the unconventional running game where you control a crowd of people. • Dodge giant fast food • Slide down pipes like at a waterpark • Battle rapper bosses, including Macaron, Donut, and Burger • Test yourself in Hardcore mode • Collect all the secret characters who are hidden in the levels • Show your respect for the upbeat original soundtrack with its choral singing Populus Run was originally released exclusively on Apple Arcade. Now it's available on the App Store. If you've played the game before, your progress and achievements will be carried over.

Screenshots

Barman Hero4 screens
Populus Run4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Populus Run at 70% against Barman Hero's 0%. Populus Run also leads on price (Free vs $1.99) and update cadence (every 4 weeks vs every 46 months). Barman Hero's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). On ads and device support 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

Populus Run is free to download; Barman Hero costs $1.99 up front. Populus Run sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Barman Hero asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Barman Hero ships an update every 46 months, Populus Run every 4 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Barman Hero versus Populus Run: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBarman HeroPopulus Run
Price$1.99Free — better
Rating—4.7 (1.5K ratings) — better
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews69.6% of reviews — better
Number of ratings—1.5K — better
Update frequencyEvery 46 monthsEvery 4 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TViPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple TV — better
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size23 MB523 MB
Age rating4+9+
DeveloperRicardo ManteroFIFTYTWO

Customer experience

Barman Hero

Written reviews6 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral16.7%
Negative83.3%

Populus Run

All ratings1,512 ratings
Positive92.9%
Neutral4.2%
Negative2.9%
Written reviews345 reviews
Positive69.6%
Neutral9.0%
Negative21.4%

Bugs and requests

Barman Hero

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Populus Run

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Freezing on login screen
  • Graphical glitches on certain devices
  • Saved data not restoring properly

Requested features

4 requests
  • Make the full game free to play
  • Add more levels and worlds
  • Improve level selection UI
  • Allow customization of controls

In-app purchases

None

Barman Hero

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Populus Run

One-time1
  • Full Game$3.99

Questions

Is Barman Hero free?
Barman Hero costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Populus Run free?
Populus Run is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Barman Hero or Populus Run have ads?
Neither Barman Hero nor Populus Run shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Barman Hero or Populus Run?
Barman Hero ships an update every 46 months, and Populus Run every 4 weeks. Most recently, Barman Hero was updated on October 14, 2026 and Populus Run on October 20, 2026.

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