Comparison

Complex vs Sole Retriever

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Complex

Discover exclusive product drops, stay updated on the latest cultural trends in fashion, music, and streetwear. Shop directly from curated articles and videos, and access artist merchandise and vinyl collections.

Highlights
  • Access exclusive product drops
  • Daily cultural content updates
  • Curated marketplace for streetwear
  • Shoppable articles and videos
  • Artist merchandise and vinyl picks
  • Drop alerts for new releases
Features
Read full description

Key Features Access to Exclusive Drops Shop limited product releases only available in the Complex App. From rare brand collabs to limited-run artist merch and fashion exclusives, stay ahead of the curve and never miss a drop. Stay Close to the Culture Browse fresh, content daily - from fashion editorials and music updates to sneaker news and viral moments. Tap into stories that break first on Complex and shape the cultural conversation. Curated & Exclusive Content From deep dives on emerging trends to behind-the-scenes features, Complex brings you stories that matter now. Everything is written by editors shaping the culture- not chasing it. Complex Cover Stories Go deep with the biggest names in music, fashion, and entertainment. Complex Cover delivers original longform features, in-depth interviews, and rich visuals you won’t find anywhere else - made for readers who want more than a headline. Shoppable Articles and Videos Shop while you scroll. Our editorial features and videos are integrated with products, so you can instantly tap into the looks, pieces, and drops you see. Curated Marketplace Discover over 100 of the world’s coolest streetwear and lifestyle brands. From iconic labels to emerging designers, explore sneakers, hoodies, bags, jewelry, home goods, and collectibles - expertly curated by the Complex Style team. Seamless Purchase Experience Checkout is fast, simple, and secure. Use Apple Pay or Shop Pay to purchase in seconds - no forms, no friction, just instant shopping so you never miss a product drop. Artist Merch Access official merch from your favorite artists. From capsule collections to exclusive tour pieces, Complex brings you music-inspired fashion that’s always authentic and on point. Vinyl Collection Picks For collectors and audiophiles alike, explore editor-curated vinyl releases across hip hop, R&B, and cult classics. Whether you’re building your shelf or spinning daily, find records that sound as good as they look. Drop Alerts Receive news about upcoming drops and get notified when drops go live. Because culture moves fast, and now you never miss a moment. Past Collaborators & Cultural Icons We’ve worked with and feature products from some of the most iconic names in music, fashion, and art, including: Billie Eilish, Travis Scott, A$AP Rocky, Kid Cudi, BLACKPINK, Post Malone, Juice WRLD, Olivia Rodrigo, Pharrell, 21 Savage, Justin Bieber, Eminem, Lil Baby, Ice Spice, Karol G. Why Complex? Complex doesn’t just cover culture - it helps shape it. For over 20 years, Complex has been the go-to source for what’s next in music, streetwear, fashion, and internet culture. Now, the Complex App makes that influence interactive: original stories, curated shopping, and insider drops - all in one place. We don’t just tell you what’s trending - we connect you to the brands, artists, and products behind it. This is where discovery meets credibility. Download Now To: • Shop exclusive fashion and sneaker drops from 100+ brands • Access to Complex News, Style, and Music content • Browse shoppable articles and videos with integrated product links • Watch original Complex video series like “Sneaker Shopping” • Get notified for upcoming drops • Discover the best in artist merch, vinyl records, and streetwear • Get insider updates on ComplexCon artists, vendors, and brand collabs Complex: Download the app. Stay close to the culture.

About

Sole Retriever

This app helps sneaker enthusiasts find and secure limited-edition shoe drops, raffles, and restocks from major brands. It provides real-time notifications, a release calendar, and tools to streamline the purchasing process.

Highlights
  • Sneaker raffle and release information
  • Real-time, personalized notifications
  • Restock alerts and AutoCart
  • Multi-browser for tracking
  • Detailed release calendar
  • Advanced raffle autofill
  • Saved retailer account logins
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

THE ULTIMATE APP FOR EVERY SNEAKERHEAD Sole Retriever is the all‑in‑one hub for sneaker raffles, releases, shock drops, restocks, price comparison and real‑time news. Track every launch from Nike, Air Jordan, adidas CONFIRMED, Yeezy, Crocs, New Balance, Saucony, Asics and hundreds of other brands—all in one place. Release Calendar & Dates – A constantly refreshed calendar shows every upcoming drop, including confirmed adidas releases and Nike SNKRS launches. Filter by brand, date, or region and add items to your watch‑list with one tap. Instant Drop, Restock & Queue Alerts – Push notifications fire the second a raffle is posted, a restock appears, or a shoe‑drop lands. Pro users also get queue‑position tracking for Snipes, Finish Line, Foot Locker, JD Sports and other high‑traffic retailers. AutoCart (Pro) – Real‑time restock alerts from Nike SNKRS, Nike Desktop/Mobile, adidas CONFIRMED, Shopify stores, Supreme, Snipes, Finish Line, Foot Locker, JD Sports and more. AutoCart (where supported) speeds checkout so you can cop the pair before it sells out. Advanced Raffle Automation – Save profiles, use autofill, and track which raffles you’ve entered. Custom filters let you see only the raffles you qualify for, by region, type, and retailer. Price Comparison – See live StockX and GOAT prices for every model, plus a list of all stores where the shoe is currently in stock. Tracking Wins – Log every sneaker you’ve copped, want, or released. View price‑trend graphs and see the total value of your collection grow. Free + Pro Subscription – - Basic (USD 6.99 /mo | USD 69.99 /yr) – Full app functionality except Restock feed/alerts. - Pro (USD 14.99 /mo | USD 149.99 /yr) – Unlimited Restock alerts, AutoCart, queue tracking and priority features. One‑Tap Marketplace – Direct links to trusted resale platforms (StockX, GOAT, eBay) let you buy or sell instantly when a drop opens. Never miss a release, never lose a raffle, and never waste time checking multiple sites. Download Sole Retriever, create an account, and start a 7‑day free trial of Basic or Pro today. *Read the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy:* https://www.soleretriever.com/terms-of-service https://www.soleretriever.com/privacy-policy

Screenshots

Complex4 screens
Sole Retriever4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Complex at none against Sole Retriever's 6. Complex also leads on review sentiment (94% vs 74%) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs monthly). Sole Retriever's advantage is chart position (#15 vs unranked) and ratings volume (5.1K vs 1K). On price, rating, ads and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Sole Retriever sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. Complex asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for Complex against 4.8 for Sole Retriever. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Sole Retriever has 5.1K ratings behind it against 1K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 94% of Complex's written reviews are positive against 74% of Sole Retriever's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Complex ships an update every 2 weeks, Sole Retriever monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 18, 2026 and October 17, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
Complex versus Sole Retriever: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterComplexSole Retriever
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (1K ratings) — better4.8 (5.1K ratings)
Positive reviews94.4% of reviews — better74.3% of reviews
Number of ratings1K5.1K — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
Best chart rank—#15 — better
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.015.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size50 MB108 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperComplex Media, Inc.Sole Retriever

Customer experience

Complex

All ratings1,020 ratings
Positive97.2%
Neutral1.3%
Negative1.6%
Written reviews71 reviews
Positive94.4%
Neutral0.0%
Negative5.6%

Sole Retriever

All ratings5,142 ratings
Positive94.3%
Neutral1.3%
Negative4.4%
Written reviews187 reviews
Positive74.3%
Neutral3.7%
Negative21.9%

User reviews

Complex

From 1K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Mobile friendly
  • 🚀 Smooth and responsive experience
  • 🛍️ Seamless integration with commerce
  • 🎨 Slick and intuitive UI
  • 📲 Everything in one place

Sole Retriever

From 5.1K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Timely notifications
  • 📊 Helpful statistics and data
  • 🔍 Comprehensive information on releases and raffles
  • 🛒 Convenient auto-fill and checkout features
  • 🔔 Useful restock alerts

Room to improve

  • 🚧 Waitlist and access issues
  • 🇨🇦 Limited functionality for non-US/EU users
  • 🔕 Too many notifications
  • 🐛 App bugs and glitches
  • 💰 Expensive subscription

Bugs and requests

Complex

No bugs or feature requests surfaced in reviews.

Sole Retriever

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Login and account access problems
  • Delayed or missing notifications
  • Compatibility issues with older devices

Requested features

3 requests
  • Improved filtering and notification customization
  • Expanded global coverage
  • Free or more affordable subscription options

In-app purchases

None

Complex

No in-app purchases

6 purchases

Sole Retriever

Subscriptions6
  • Basic Subscription7 Days trial$6.991 Month
  • Pro7 Days trial$11.991 Month
  • Pro Restocks, Releases, Drop Alerts7 Days trial$14.991 Month
Show 3 more
  • Basic (Yearly)7 Days trial$69.991 Year
  • Pro (Yearly)7 Days trial$119.991 Year
  • Pro (Yearly)7 Days trial$149.991 Year

Questions

Is Complex free?
Complex is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Sole Retriever free?
Sole Retriever is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Complex or Sole Retriever?
Complex is rated higher. Complex averages 4.9 out of 5 from 1K ratings, while Sole Retriever averages 4.8 from 5.1K ratings.
Do Complex or Sole Retriever have ads?
Neither Complex nor Sole Retriever shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Complex or Sole Retriever?
Complex ships an update every 2 weeks, and Sole Retriever monthly. Most recently, Complex was updated on October 18, 2026 and Sole Retriever on October 17, 2026.

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