# Project vs Arcaea

The clearest difference is ads: Arcaea at none against Project's shown. Arcaea also leads on update cadence (every 8 days vs monthly) and ratings volume (25K vs 1.5K). On price, review sentiment, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Project sells 18 one-off in-app purchases and Arcaea sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Arcaea holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Arcaea has 25K ratings behind it against 1.5K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 72% of Project's written reviews are positive against 78% of Arcaea's.

Project ships an update monthly, Arcaea every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 17, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Project | Arcaea |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.6 (1.5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/project-muse/id1094656747/reviews) | **[4.8 (25K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/arcaea/id1205999125/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 1.5K | **25K** |
| Positive reviews | 72.4% of reviews | **78.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Every 8 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | #202 | **#79** |
| Size | 1.2 GB | 1.2 GB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **12.4** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 9+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Rinzz Co. Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/948116526) | [lowiro](https://appshunter.io/developer/1381393762) |

## What reviewers say

### Project

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/project-muse/id1094656747)

**Currently charting:** #202 Top Free · Music (US App Store)

Experience an innovative music game where every tap triggers original electronic sounds. Engage in rhythm gameplay with unique multi-track challenges, diverse music styles, and customizable characters. Compete with friends and players worldwide in this visually rich experience.

**Highlights:** Rhythm gameplay with real-time pronunciation, Original independent electronic music, Multi-track music challenges, Diverse and updated music styles, Customizable characters and skins, Global player competition, Potential visual improvement for amblyopia

**In-app purchases (18)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| New Journey - Coins Pack | $0.99 | one-time |
| Green Light - Package A | $0.99 | one-time |
| New Player Bonus | $0.99 | one-time |
| Lucky Coin Package | $0.99 | one-time |
| Unlimited Energy | $1.99 | one-time |
| Skin package | $2.99 | one-time |
| Fall Harvest Day Anecdote | $2.99 | one-time |
| The Holy Night Expedition | $2.99 | one-time |
| Lucky Snowy Cloud Nation | $2.99 | one-time |
| Forest Rhapsody | $2.99 | one-time |
| Journey To Another World | $2.99 | one-time |
| Cherry Blossom Dreams | $2.99 | one-time |
| Time Gala: Mystery Tracker | $2.99 | one-time |
| Eve Ritual: King Project | $2.99 | one-time |
| Summer Escape Plan | $2.99 | one-time |
| On The Way - Coins Pack | $3.99 | one-time |
| VIP PACK | $5.99 | one-time |
| Sparks Fly - Coins Pack | $8.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🎨 Beautiful visuals and character designs
- 🎵 Catchy and enjoyable music
- 🕹️ Fun and challenging gameplay
- 👍 Addictive and engaging experience

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Bugs and glitches (note sync issues, crashes, freezes)
- 💰 Excessive in-app purchases and paywalls
- 🔇 Sound issues (music cutting out)
- 🤯 Difficulty spike for newer players

**Reported bugs**

- Levels/songs getting locked after updates
- Inconsistent note registration on 4-lane sections
- SOS feature not working as intended
- Progress/data loss after reinstalling the app

**Requested features**

- Practice mode for individual song sections
- More frequent content updates
- Ability to restore previously purchased content
- Improved calibration and note detection


### Arcaea

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/arcaea/id1205999125)

**Currently charting:** #79 Top Grossing · Music, #88 Top Free · Music (US App Store)

Experience a unique rhythm game that blends challenging gameplay with an immersive story. Progress through a narrative driven by your performance, unlock new difficulties, and compete with others online. Enjoy a vast library of music, with more available through content packs.

**Highlights:** Novel gameplay mechanics, Immersive sound and story, High difficulty ceiling, Over 350 songs, 3 rhythm difficulty levels per song, Real-time online multiplayer, Rich Main Story and Side Stories

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 100 Memories | $0.99 | one-time |
| 510 Memories | $4.99 | one-time |
| 1020 Memories | $9.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Unique gameplay mechanics
- 🎨 Beautiful visuals and art
- 🎶 Excellent music selection
- 👍 Smooth and responsive controls
- 💯 Challenging yet rewarding difficulty

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Excessive paywall for content
- 🔁 Repetitive grind in World Mode
- 🐛 Occasional note registration issues
- 🔊 Audio desync when multitasking
- 🤖 Lack of practice mode or tutorial

**Reported bugs**

- Login issues and account sync problems
- Compatibility problems on certain devices
- Crashes and freezes during gameplay

**Requested features**

- Multiplayer mode to compete with friends
- Ability to earn premium currency through gameplay
- More free song options to explore the game
- Customizable note speed and offset settings
- Improved story mode and character development


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Project free?

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

### Is Arcaea free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Project or Arcaea?

Arcaea is rated higher. Project averages 4.6 out of 5 from 1.5K ratings, while Arcaea averages 4.8 from 25K ratings.

### Do Project or Arcaea have ads?

Project shows ads; Arcaea does not.

### Which is updated more often, Project or Arcaea?

Project ships an update monthly, and Arcaea every 8 days. Most recently, Project was updated on October 15, 2026 and Arcaea on October 17, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Project or Arcaea?

Project currently peaks at #202 in the App Store charts, and Arcaea at #79. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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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.*