# Pokémon GO vs Poke Awesome Code Catcher

The clearest difference is rating: Pokémon GO at 4.0 against Poke Awesome Code Catcher's 2.4. Pokémon GO also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 4 months) and ratings volume (656K vs 187). Poke Awesome Code Catcher's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 30) and ads (none vs shown). On price and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Pokémon GO sells 21 one-off in-app purchases. Poke Awesome Code Catcher asks for nothing beyond the download.

Pokémon GO holds the better App Store score, 4.0 against 2.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Pokémon GO has 656K ratings behind it against 187, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 44% of Pokémon GO's written reviews are positive against 24% of Poke Awesome Code Catcher's.

Pokémon GO ships an update weekly, Poke Awesome Code Catcher every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Pokémon GO | Poke Awesome Code Catcher |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.0 (656K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pokemon-go/id1094591345/reviews)** | [2.4 (187 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/poke-awesome-code-catcher/id1358959504/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **656K** | 187 |
| Positive reviews | **43.6% of reviews** | 23.5% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Every 4 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | **#1** | — |
| Size | 390 MB | 18 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **11.2** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 9+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Scopely Explore, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1037205060) | [Christopher Campbell](https://appshunter.io/developer/1153594845) |

## What reviewers say

### Pokémon GO

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pokemon-go/id1094591345)

**Currently charting:** #1 Top Grossing · Role Playing, #2 Top Grossing · Strategy, #3 Top Free · Role Playing, #7 Top Grossing · Games, #13 Top Free · Strategy, #33 Top Grossing, #90 Top Free · Games (US App Store)

Explore your real world to discover and catch creatures. Train your companions, battle in gyms, and team up with others for epic raids. Your adventure begins as you move through your environment.

**Highlights:** Explore and discover creatures, Catch creatures to complete Pokédex, Journey with Buddy Pokémon, Compete in Gym battles, Team up for Raid Battles, Augmented reality gameplay

**In-app purchases (21)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 100 PokéCoins | $0.99 | one-time |
| Event Bonus | $0.99 | one-time |
| Small Box | $1.99 | one-time |
| Evergreen Ticket 1 | $1.99 | one-time |
| Event Ticket | $1.99 | one-time |
| Event Ticket | $4.99 | one-time |
| 550 PokéCoins | $4.99 | one-time |
| Ticket | $4.99 | one-time |
| Event Ticket | $7.99 | one-time |
| 1,200 PokéCoins | $9.99 | one-time |
| Event Pass Deluxe Plus Points | $9.99 | one-time |
| Finale Pass | $14.99 | one-time |
| Event Pass Deluxe | $14.99 | one-time |
| GO Fest Ticket | $14.99 | one-time |
| Finale Pass Plus Points | $19.99 | one-time |
| GO Pass Deluxe | $19.99 | one-time |
| 2,500 PokéCoins | $19.99 | one-time |
| Event Pass Deluxe Plus Points | $19.99 | one-time |
| GO Pass Deluxe Plus Points | $24.99 | one-time |
| 5,200 PokéCoins | $39.99 | one-time |
| 14,500 PokéCoins | $99.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Addictive and fun gameplay
- 👍 Encourages outdoor activity
- 🚀 Frequent updates and new content
- 👍 Brings people together
- 🚀 Innovative AR features

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and glitches
- 🔋 Drains battery quickly
- 🔒 Privacy concerns with data collection
- 💰 Expensive in-app purchases
- 🚫 Inaccessible for rural/disabled players

**Reported bugs**

- GPS/location issues causing gameplay problems
- Bugs with egg hatching and buddy Pokémon
- Inconsistent performance across devices
- Glitches with raid battles and rewards

**Requested features**

- In-game chat/communication system
- Ability to trade items between players
- More customization options for avatars
- Improved tracking and spawn system
- Easier access to rare/legendary Pokémon


### Poke Awesome Code Catcher

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/poke-awesome-code-catcher/id1358959504)

Easily scan unused Pokemon code cards to earn rewards. Choose to receive more Pokemon cards or cash. This free app offers bonuses for the number of codes you scan.

**Highlights:** Scan Pokemon QR codes, Earn rewards, Choose compensation (cards or cash), Free to use, Bonuses for multiple codes

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast payment processing (within 24 hours)
- 📱 Easy and quick code scanning process
- 💰 Legitimate payment for unused codes
- 👍 User-friendly interface
- 🎁 Store credit option available

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 App crashes frequently on launch
- ⚠️ Misleading submission acceptance status
- 🚫 Submissions closed but app still allows scanning
- 💸 No payment received despite submissions marked complete
- 🔒 Codes become locked in app with no export option

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes immediately upon opening
- App freezes after scanning codes
- Cannot open app after installation
- Codes lost when app crashes
- Submission errors after scanning large batches

**Requested features**

- Clear notification on app launch if submissions are currently accepting codes
- Ability to export or retrieve codes from the app
- Minimum code requirements clearly stated upfront
- Support for scanning older/previous set codes
- Better communication about submission windows


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Pokémon GO free?

Pokémon GO is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Poke Awesome Code Catcher free?

Poke Awesome Code Catcher is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Pokémon GO or Poke Awesome Code Catcher?

Pokémon GO is rated higher. Pokémon GO averages 4.0 out of 5 from 656K ratings, while Poke Awesome Code Catcher averages 2.4 from 187 ratings.

### Do Pokémon GO or Poke Awesome Code Catcher have ads?

Pokémon GO shows ads; Poke Awesome Code Catcher does not.

### Which is updated more often, Pokémon GO or Poke Awesome Code Catcher?

Pokémon GO ships an update weekly, and Poke Awesome Code Catcher every 4 months. Most recently, Pokémon GO was updated on October 29, 2026 and Poke Awesome Code Catcher on October 24, 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.*