# Pokémon GO vs Dex Scanner

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Pokémon GO at 44% against Dex Scanner's 0%. Pokémon GO also leads on rating (4.0 vs 1.0) and ratings volume (653K vs 1). Dex Scanner's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 30) and ads (none vs shown). On price, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Pokémon GO sells 21 one-off in-app purchases. Dex Scanner asks for nothing beyond the download.

Pokémon GO holds the better App Store score, 4.0 against 1.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Pokémon GO has 653K ratings behind it against 1, 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 0% of Dex Scanner's.

Pokémon GO ships an update every 6 days, Dex Scanner every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and June 3, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Pokémon GO | Dex Scanner |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.0 (653K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pokemon-go/id1094591345/reviews)** | [1.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dex-scanner/id1636828685/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **653K** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | **43.8% of reviews** | 0.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 6 days | **Every 2 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | **#1** | — |
| Size | 404 MB | 18 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **14.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 9+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Scopely Explore, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1037205060) | [Azikus d.o.o](https://appshunter.io/developer/1185251361) |

## 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, #3 Top Grossing · Strategy, #10 Top Free · Strategy, #11 Top Grossing · Games, #41 Top Grossing, #73 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


### Dex Scanner

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dex-scanner/id1636828685)

This unofficial application provides information related to Pokémon. It utilizes copyrighted images under fair use principles for informational purposes. The app is free to download and use.

**Highlights:** Pokémon information, Unofficial app, Fair use of images, Free to download

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Pokémon GO free?

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

### Is Dex Scanner free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Pokémon GO or Dex Scanner?

Pokémon GO is rated higher. Pokémon GO averages 4.0 out of 5 from 653K ratings, while Dex Scanner averages 1.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do Pokémon GO or Dex Scanner have ads?

Pokémon GO shows ads; Dex Scanner does not.

### Which is updated more often, Pokémon GO or Dex Scanner?

Pokémon GO ships an update every 6 days, and Dex Scanner every 2 days. Most recently, Pokémon GO was updated on September 26, 2026 and Dex Scanner on June 3, 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.*