# JoinDispatch vs NoStranger

The clearest difference is update cadence: JoinDispatch at weekly against NoStranger's every 5 months. NoStranger's advantage is review sentiment (88% vs 60%) and rating (4.6 vs 4.2). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

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

NoStranger holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 898 and 420 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 60% of JoinDispatch's written reviews are positive against 88% of NoStranger's.

JoinDispatch ships an update weekly, NoStranger every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on August 26, 2026 and August 14, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | JoinDispatch | NoStranger |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.2 (898 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/joindispatch/id1161946025/reviews) | **[4.6 (420 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nostranger/id1193014248/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **898** | 420 |
| Positive reviews | 59.8% of reviews | **88.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Every 5 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 50 MB | 155 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 12+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Kyle McCullough](https://appshunter.io/developer/1161946024) | [Black Vein Productions, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1193014247) |

## What reviewers say

### JoinDispatch

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/joindispatch/id1161946025)

Experience the thrill of managing emergency dispatches in a text-based adventure. Make critical decisions, earn stars, and unlock new opportunities as a Citizen Responder. Navigate limited resources and even rewind time to correct mistakes.

**Highlights:** Achieve 5-Star rating, Earn skills and unlock opportunities, Resource management, Rewind time function, Choice-driven narrative, Simplified decisions

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Shift One - Remove Ads | Free | one-time |
| Shift Unlock | $3.99 | one-time |
| Season 1 Pass | $9.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Interesting story and gameplay
- 🤖 Unique text-based adventure concept
- 👍 Immersive atmosphere and mystery
- 💎 Compelling narrative and 4th wall breaks

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔒 Paywall after initial tutorial
- 🐛 Bugs, glitches, and inconsistencies
- ⏱️ Short first episode/shift
- 🕰️ Long wait times for new content

**Reported bugs**

- Calls getting stuck on hold
- Skills disappearing or not working as expected
- Repeated resets of progress
- Unresponsive UI and black screens

**Requested features**

- More episodes/shifts to continue the story
- Ability to replay past calls/choices
- Clearer progression and skill system
- Offline mode or reduced battery drain


### NoStranger

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nostranger/id1193014248)

Engage in a user-choice-driven narrative where you uncover a stranger's identity, motivations, and secrets. Explore virtual worlds through real-time conversations, searching blogs, social media, and contacting characters to piece together a compelling story.

**Highlights:** User-choice-driven narrative, Real-time conversation, Search blogs and social media, Contact story characters, Immersive virtual world exploration, Believable experience with real websites

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Buy some Flubbertons | $0.99 | one-time |
| Buy some more Flubbertons | $4.99 | one-time |
| Buy ALOT of Flubbertons | $7.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Immersive and interactive experience
- 🤔 Thought-provoking storyline
- 🕵️‍♀️ Engaging scavenger hunt-style gameplay
- 🎨 Unique and creative concept

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Broken links and offline locations
- ⏱️ Frustrating wait times between interactions
- 🤔 Unclear or unsatisfying ending
- 🔍 Lack of in-game feedback/guidance

**Reported bugs**

- Inconsistent save/progress tracking
- Glitches that reset player choices

**Requested features**

- More content and chapters
- Ability to skip wait times without ads
- Clearer story resolution and explanations


## Frequently asked questions

### Is JoinDispatch free?

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

### Is NoStranger free?

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

### Which has better reviews, JoinDispatch or NoStranger?

NoStranger is rated higher. JoinDispatch averages 4.2 out of 5 from 898 ratings, while NoStranger averages 4.6 from 420 ratings.

### Do JoinDispatch or NoStranger have ads?

Neither JoinDispatch nor NoStranger shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, JoinDispatch or NoStranger?

JoinDispatch ships an update weekly, and NoStranger every 5 months. Most recently, JoinDispatch was updated on August 26, 2026 and NoStranger on August 14, 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.*