# JoinDispatch vs Covert Companion

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Covert Companion at none against JoinDispatch's 3. Covert Companion also leads on iOS requirement (9.0 vs 17.0). JoinDispatch's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 2 months) and rating (4.2 vs 3.8). On price, ads, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. JoinDispatch sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Covert Companion asks for nothing beyond the download.

JoinDispatch holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 3.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: JoinDispatch has 898 ratings behind it against 24, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 60% of JoinDispatch's written reviews are positive against 33% of Covert Companion's.

JoinDispatch ships an update weekly, Covert Companion every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on August 26, 2026 and September 18, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | JoinDispatch | Covert Companion |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.2 (898 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/joindispatch/id1161946025/reviews)** | [3.8 (24 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/covert-companion/id1436559981/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **898** | 24 |
| Positive reviews | **59.8% of reviews** | 33.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 50 MB | 593 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **9.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 12+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Kyle McCullough](https://appshunter.io/developer/1161946024) | [White Elk LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1301775880) |

## 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


### Covert Companion

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/covert-companion/id1436559981)

Engage in high-stakes heists with a partner, utilizing unique roles as a VR Thief or a mobile Hacker. Cooperate to bypass security, hack systems, and crack safes in this asymmetric cooperative experience. The companion app is free, requiring only the VR app purchase.

**Highlights:** Asymmetric cooperative gameplay, VR Thief and mobile Hacker roles, Gadget utilization for infiltration, Breach security systems, Cooperative puzzle-solving, Online multiplayer

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is JoinDispatch free?

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

### Is Covert Companion free?

Covert Companion is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, JoinDispatch or Covert Companion?

JoinDispatch is rated higher. JoinDispatch averages 4.2 out of 5 from 898 ratings, while Covert Companion averages 3.8 from 24 ratings.

### Do JoinDispatch or Covert Companion have ads?

Neither JoinDispatch nor Covert Companion shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, JoinDispatch or Covert Companion?

JoinDispatch ships an update weekly, and Covert Companion every 2 months. Most recently, JoinDispatch was updated on August 26, 2026 and Covert Companion on September 18, 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.*