# Pokémon GO vs Bird Run

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Bird Run at 100% against Pokémon GO's 44%. Pokémon GO's advantage is update cadence (every 6 days vs every 6 months) and chart position (#1 vs unranked). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Pokémon GO sells 21 one-off in-app purchases and Bird Run sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Pokémon GO ships an update every 6 days, Bird Run every 6 months. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and August 16, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Pokémon GO | Bird Run |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.0 (653K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pokemon-go/id1094591345/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **653K** | — |
| Positive reviews | 43.8% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 6 days** | Every 6 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#1** | — |
| Size | 404 MB | 88 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 9+ | +4 |
| Developer | [Scopely Explore, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1037205060) | [冰 冯](https://appshunter.io/developer/1490741402) |

## What reviewers say

### Pokémon GO

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

**Currently charting:** #1 Top Grossing · Role Playing, #3 Top Free · Role Playing, #4 Top Grossing · Strategy, #10 Top Free · Strategy, #10 Top Grossing · Games, #35 Top Grossing, #84 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


### Bird Run

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bird-run-block-stack-jump/id1504945304)

Guide a bird to smash through falling blocks by sliding stacks. Achieve continuous smashing for a super mode in this stress-relieving game. Enjoy a happy, fast-paced experience.

**Highlights:** Slide stacks to break blocks, Fast falling gameplay, Continuous smashing for super mode, Stress-relieving experience, Happy bird character

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Remove Ads for Bird Run | $2.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Pokémon GO free?

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

### Is Bird Run free?

Bird Run is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do Pokémon GO or Bird Run have ads?

Both Pokémon GO and Bird Run show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Pokémon GO or Bird Run?

Pokémon GO ships an update every 6 days, and Bird Run every 6 months. Most recently, Pokémon GO was updated on September 25, 2026 and Bird Run on August 16, 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.*