# Tantrix.com vs Ark Nova

The clearest difference is price: Tantrix.com at Free against Ark Nova's $7.99. Ark Nova's advantage is rating (4.8 vs 3.6) and ratings volume (1.2K vs 5). On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Tantrix.com is free to download; Ark Nova costs $7.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Ark Nova holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Ark Nova has 1.2K ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 54% of Tantrix.com's written reviews are positive against 73% of Ark Nova's.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Tantrix.com | Ark Nova |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $7.99 |
| Rating | [3.6 (5 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tantrixcom/id1102957653/reviews) | **[4.8 (1.2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ark-nova/id6449233549/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 5 | **1.2K** |
| Positive reviews | 53.8% of reviews | **72.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | Every 2 weeks |
| Monetization | **Free** | Paid |
| Best chart rank | — | **#22** |
| Size | 33 MB | 682 MB |
| Requires iOS | **14.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Dave Dyer](https://appshunter.io/developer/1089274350) | [Dire Wolf Digital](https://appshunter.io/developer/815343758) |

## What reviewers say

### Tantrix.com

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tantrixcom/id1102957653)

A strategic puzzle game where players connect hexagonal tiles with colored paths. Compete against others online or a robot opponent, testing your spatial reasoning and planning skills.

**Highlights:** Hexagonal tile-based gameplay, Strategic path connection, Online multiplayer, Robot opponent, Develops strategic thinking, Enhances spatial ability

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### Ark Nova

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ark-nova/id6449233549)

**Currently charting:** #22 Top Paid · Board, #68 Top Paid · Strategy (US App Store)

Design and manage a modern zoo to support global conservation efforts. Build enclosures, house animals, and utilize unique cards for special abilities. Compete to create the most successful zoological establishment.

**Highlights:** Plan and design a modern zoo, Build enclosures and accommodate animals, Support global conservation projects, Utilize 255 unique cards (animals, specialists, projects), Upgrade action cards for gameplay, Increase zoo appeal and scientific reputation

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Great implementation overall
- 👍 Lots of fun
- 👍 Good animations
- 👍 Choice of modes
- 👍 Clean, modern and enjoyable design

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Tile placement/rotation issues on iPad
- 🐛 Building placement UI issues
- 👎 Difficult to read board state on mobile
- 👎 Lack of simultaneous view for key game info
- 👎 Cumbersome to create games with friends

**Reported bugs**

- iPad Flash exit issue
- Rewards screen being blocked by other UI elements

**Requested features**

- Option to enable larger UI buttons for modal panels
- Full screen mode
- Option to reverse zoom direction
- Improved card readability/zoom


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Tantrix.com free?

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

### Is Ark Nova free?

Ark Nova costs $7.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Tantrix.com or Ark Nova?

Ark Nova is rated higher. Tantrix.com averages 3.6 out of 5 from 5 ratings, while Ark Nova averages 4.8 from 1.2K ratings.

### Do Tantrix.com or Ark Nova have ads?

Neither Tantrix.com nor Ark Nova shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Tantrix.com or Ark Nova?

Tantrix.com ships an update every 2 weeks, and Ark Nova every 2 weeks. Most recently, Tantrix.com was updated on October 1, 2026 and Ark Nova on October 6, 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.*