# DFRCT vs Realm Grinder

The clearest difference is rating: Realm Grinder at 4.5 against DFRCT's 3.7. Realm Grinder also leads on ratings volume (3.1K vs 3) and update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 3 months). DFRCT's advantage is review sentiment (100% vs 64%) and in-app purchases (none vs 9). On price, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Realm Grinder sells 9 one-off in-app purchases. DFRCT asks for nothing beyond the download.

Realm Grinder holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Realm Grinder has 3.1K ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 100% of DFRCT's written reviews are positive against 64% of Realm Grinder's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

DFRCT ships an update every 3 months, Realm Grinder every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | DFRCT | Realm Grinder |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.7 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dfrct/id1071944832/reviews) | **[4.5 (3.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/realm-grinder/id1110149506/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 3 | **3.1K** |
| Positive reviews | **100.0% of reviews** | 64.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 6 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 3 MB | 53 MB |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 9+ |
| Developer | [MIFKI PTY LTD](https://appshunter.io/developer/316521224) | [Kongregate](https://appshunter.io/developer/491569846) |

## What reviewers say

### DFRCT

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dfrct/id1071944832)

This utility helps test your connection to a Dwarf Fortress Remote server before buying the full application. It's ideal for users with servers behind firewalls or NAT, ensuring connectivity before purchase. Results may vary between cellular and Wi-Fi networks, so test your intended play connections.

**Highlights:** Connection testing for DF Remote server, Firewall and NAT compatibility check, Pre-purchase connectivity verification, Supports cellular and Wi-Fi network testing

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Realm Grinder

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/realm-grinder/id1110149506)

Build a vast kingdom from humble beginnings, earning wealth even offline. Explore deep strategic choices by aligning with diverse factions, unlocking hundreds of upgrades, and discovering new game systems. Enjoy frequent events and collect numerous achievements.

**Highlights:** Kingdom building and offline wealth generation, Deep strategic choices with multiple factions, Hundreds of upgrades and unique buildings, Unlock new game systems and content, Collect hundreds of achievements, Frequent in-game events

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (9)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Gift of the Heroes | $4.99 | one-time |
| Small Pack of Rubies | $4.99 | one-time |
| Gift of the Kings | $9.99 | one-time |
| Medium Pack of Rubies | $9.99 | one-time |
| Gift of the Faithful | $9.99 | one-time |
| Gift of the Myths | $14.99 | one-time |
| Gift of the Gods | $19.99 | one-time |
| Large Pack of Rubies | $19.99 | one-time |
| Huge Pack of Rubies | $49.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fantastic game, getting even better
- 🚀 Best idle game imo
- 🚀 Really Good!
- 🚀 Great game, just hard to read the text
- 🚀 Amazing, Addicting, Creative, and Addicting Game!

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Scry not working - no response from support team
- 🐛 Crashes constantly
- 🐛 Impossible to read/play on iPhone 12
- 🐛 Impossible to read/play on iPhone 12
- 🐛 Broke

**Reported bugs**

- Scry not working since last release
- Crashes constantly
- Impossible to read/play on iPhone 12
- Impossible to read/play on iPhone 12
- Can't collect lava stone, only holy symbols

**Requested features**

- Have to add some faction wars
- Change the screen bigger for newer iPhone models please
- Please add Chinese
- Please add Chinese
- Suggestion


## Frequently asked questions

### Is DFRCT free?

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

### Is Realm Grinder free?

Realm Grinder is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, DFRCT or Realm Grinder?

Realm Grinder is rated higher. DFRCT averages 3.7 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while Realm Grinder averages 4.5 from 3.1K ratings.

### Do DFRCT or Realm Grinder have ads?

Realm Grinder shows ads; DFRCT does not.

### Which is updated more often, DFRCT or Realm Grinder?

DFRCT ships an update every 3 months, and Realm Grinder every 6 weeks. Most recently, DFRCT was updated on September 25, 2026 and Realm Grinder on September 22, 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.*