# Game Dev Tycoon vs Passpartout

Game Dev Tycoon and Passpartout both sit at 4.9 stars, but that hides the real split: 91% of Game Dev Tycoon's written reviews are positive against 45% of Passpartout's. Game Dev Tycoon also leads on ratings volume (24K vs 3K). Passpartout's advantage is iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). On price, rating, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Game Dev Tycoon costs $4.99 and Passpartout $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Game Dev Tycoon holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Game Dev Tycoon has 24K ratings behind it against 3K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 91% of Game Dev Tycoon's written reviews are positive against 45% of Passpartout's.

Game Dev Tycoon ships an update every 3 months, Passpartout every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on November 8, 2026 and November 6, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Game Dev Tycoon | Passpartout |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $4.99 | $4.99 |
| Rating | **[4.9 (24K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/game-dev-tycoon/id1162580001/reviews)** | [4.7 (3K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/passpartout-starving-artist/id1309035984/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **24K** | 3K |
| Positive reviews | **91.1% of reviews** | 44.6% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 months** | Every 4 months |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Best chart rank | **#57** | #67 |
| Size | 204 MB | 400 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | +12 |
| Developer | [Greenheart Games Pty. Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/877999140) | [Flamebait AB](https://appshunter.io/developer/1044979596) |

## What reviewers say

### Game Dev Tycoon

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/game-dev-tycoon/id1162580001)

**Currently charting:** #57 Top Paid · Simulation, #61 Top Paid · Strategy, #184 Top Paid · Games (US App Store)

Build your own game development company from the 1980s to the present. Design and create your own games, research new technologies, and manage a team to become a market leader. Enjoy a full simulation experience without ads or in-app purchases.

**Highlights:** Start a game development company, Design and create your own games, Research new technologies, Hire and manage a development team, Replay gaming history, Built-in screen recording and streaming

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Cheap price
- 👍 No in-app purchases or ads
- 👍 Addictive and fun gameplay
- 👍 Realistic game development simulation
- 👍 Detailed and complex mechanics

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Game crashes on launch for some users
- 🐛 Orientation issues on iPhone X
- 🐛 Difficulty remembering research and specialist information
- 🔋 Game can be very time-consuming
- 🤔 Lack of difficulty options or sandbox mode

**Reported bugs**

- Loan payback amount inconsistency
- Game reports not carrying over knowledge

**Requested features**

- Add more console and game genre options
- Implement employee personalities and interactions
- Provide more detailed game performance history
- Allow simultaneous game development
- Add difficulty settings and sandbox mode


### Passpartout

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/passpartout-starving-artist/id1309035984)

**Currently charting:** #67 Top Paid · Family (US App Store)

Step into the shoes of a French artist and navigate the confusing art scene. Paint your own masterpieces, sell them to demanding customers, and manage your finances to survive your expensive baguette and wine addiction. Will your art grace the Louvre or end up on your parents' fridge?

**Highlights:** Paint original masterpieces, Sell art to customers, Manage finances and addictions, Unlock new galleries, Experience the French art world, Enjoy an original soundtrack

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🎨 Unique and creative concept
- 🤗 Fun and engaging gameplay
- 👍 Smooth performance and controls
- 💰 Satisfying progression and earning system

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and stability issues
- 🕰️ Short story mode with limited replayability
- 🎨 Limited drawing tools and customization options
- 💸 High price for the content provided

**Reported bugs**

- Inability to progress past the first act
- Disappearing paintings and lost progress
- Crashes when finishing a painting or interacting with the critic
- Compatibility issues on certain iOS devices

**Requested features**

- Add an undo/erase function
- Implement a save/load system to prevent progress loss
- Expand the story mode with more acts and content
- Introduce more brushes, colors, and painting tools
- Add a fast-forward option to speed up gameplay


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Game Dev Tycoon free?

Game Dev Tycoon costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Passpartout free?

Passpartout costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Game Dev Tycoon or Passpartout?

Game Dev Tycoon is rated higher. Game Dev Tycoon averages 4.9 out of 5 from 24K ratings, while Passpartout averages 4.7 from 3K ratings.

### Do Game Dev Tycoon or Passpartout have ads?

Neither Game Dev Tycoon nor Passpartout shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Game Dev Tycoon or Passpartout?

Game Dev Tycoon ships an update every 3 months, and Passpartout every 4 months. Most recently, Game Dev Tycoon was updated on November 8, 2026 and Passpartout on November 6, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Game Dev Tycoon or Passpartout?

Game Dev Tycoon currently peaks at #57 in the App Store charts, and Passpartout at #67. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*