# PinOut! vs Helix

PinOut! and Helix both sit at 4.2 stars, but that hides the real split: 67% of PinOut!'s written reviews are positive against 30% of Helix's. PinOut! also leads on ratings volume (7.1K vs 90). Helix's advantage is iOS requirement (6.0 vs 13.0). On price, rating, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. PinOut! sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Helix sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

PinOut! holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: PinOut! has 7.1K ratings behind it against 90, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 67% of PinOut!'s written reviews are positive against 30% of Helix's.

PinOut! ships an update every 2 weeks, Helix fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | PinOut! | Helix |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.2 (7.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pinout/id1108417718/reviews)** | [4.0 (90 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/helix/id1229690363/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **7.1K** | 90 |
| Positive reviews | **67.3% of reviews** | 30.2% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 81 MB | 160 MB |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | **6.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Mediocre AB](https://appshunter.io/developer/431845724) | [Ketchapp](https://appshunter.io/developer/528065807) |

## What reviewers say

### PinOut!

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pinout/id1108417718)

Experience a reimagined pinball adventure with a continuous journey through a vibrant, retro-wave world. Race against the clock in this arcade-style game, offering a unique twist on classic pinball mechanics.

**Highlights:** Continuous journey gameplay, Retro wave aesthetic, Pulsating lights and beats, Remodeled pinball mechanics, Arcade experience

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| PinOut Premium | $2.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🎨 Stunning visuals and graphics
- 🎶 Excellent soundtrack and audio
- 🕹️ Unique and addictive gameplay
- 👍 No ads or intrusive monetization

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🕰️ Short game length with limited levels
- 🤔 Inconsistent and frustrating physics/controls
- 💰 Paywall to access checkpoints and progress

**Reported bugs**

- Ball getting stuck in certain areas
- Crashes and freezes on some devices
- Compatibility issues with newer iPhone models

**Requested features**

- More levels and content
- Endless/infinite mode without time limit
- Improved physics and control responsiveness
- Ability to save progress and continue from checkpoints


### Helix

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/helix/id1229690363)

Navigate an endlessly descending helix, skillfully jumping over pits and obstacles while dodging projectiles. Earn in-game currency to unlock fun new skins. Experience challenging yet relaxing gameplay with simple one-tap controls.

**Highlights:** Endless helix descent, Obstacle avoidance, Jump over pits, Unlockable skins, One-tap controls, Highscore competition

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Remove Ads | $1.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🎮 Addictive and engaging gameplay
- 🎨 Stunning visuals and color changes
- 🎵 Relaxing music and sound effects
- ⚡ Simple and easy-to-learn controls
- 🧠 Challenging and rewarding difficulty

**What reviewers complain about**

- 📺 Excessive ads interrupting gameplay
- 🐛 Frequent lag and performance issues
- ⚙️ Poor jump responsiveness and sensitivity
- 😤 Extremely difficult with no progression curve
- 🔄 Game crashes and freezes

**Reported bugs**

- Ads popping up during active gameplay causing instant death
- Game lag causing delayed jump response
- Jump input not registering or registering late
- Game crashes and iPad shutdowns
- Inconsistent jump distance

**Requested features**

- Tutorial or onboarding instructions
- Easier difficulty mode or 'zen' mode
- Ability to control ball rotation timing
- First-person perspective option
- Score sharing with friends via iMessage


## Frequently asked questions

### Is PinOut! free?

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

### Is Helix free?

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

### Which has better reviews, PinOut! or Helix?

PinOut! is rated higher. PinOut! averages 4.2 out of 5 from 7.1K ratings, while Helix averages 4.0 from 90 ratings.

### Do PinOut! or Helix have ads?

Neither PinOut! nor Helix shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, PinOut! or Helix?

PinOut! ships an update every 2 weeks, and Helix fortnightly. Most recently, PinOut! was updated on October 21, 2026 and Helix on October 15, 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.*