Comparison

Shiny Chain vs MasterDex

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

Head to head
About

Shiny Chain

Track your shiny hunting progress with detailed stats like shiny percentage, IVs, and hidden abilities. Save your achievements and share your hunts with friends. Offers advanced features for specific game editions and ad-free experience in its pro version.

Highlights
  • Single and double shiny chain counter
  • Track shiny and hidden ability percentages
  • Monitor minimum max IVs
  • Save chain information and achievements
  • Support for multiple game editions (Pro)
  • Multi-language support
Features
Read full description

With this application you will be able to take control of your shiny chain in an intuitive and effective way. It shows diverse data, very useful in your adventure, such as percentage of shinys, ivs and hidden ability, in each stage of the chain. Share your hunts with your friends! FEATURES ● Single counter to keep track of your shiny chain in Sun and Moon. ● Double counter, if you also want to record how many PP has the opponent spent already. You will be able to know how many they have left. Prevent your enemy from using struggle and an unexpected end of the chain! ● Useful data: - % shiny - % hidden ability - minimum maxIVs ● Save the chain information when you are done to keep track of your achievements. ● Languages: English, Spanish, German, Chinese, Japanese, Italian, Portuguese, French, Korean. PRO VERSION ● Game editions: Let's Go, Ultra Sun & Moon, Sun & Moon, Alpha & Omega, X & Y, Black & White. ● No ads. ● Register as many chains as you want. ● Choose method, game edition and shiny charm option to customize the percentages in each case. Follow us: @ShinyChain

About

MasterDex

This app serves as a comprehensive guide for fans and trainers, offering detailed information on creatures, team building, and the trading card game. It features offline access, advanced search, and tracking for favorite creatures and shinies, updated for the latest generation.

Highlights
  • Updated creature information
  • Team builder tool
  • Trading Card Game details
  • Offline functionality
  • Shiny creature tracker
  • Advanced search filters
Features
Read full description

Embark on an epic journey with MasterDex, the ultimate companion for all the fans and trainers. Key Features: ▶ Updated to Scarlet and Violet: Stay up-to-date with the latest generation of creatures, including their unique forms, evolutions, and abilities. ▶ Team Builder: Strategize and assemble your dream team using MasterDex's intuitive team-building feature. Plan your battles and unleash the power of synergy. ▶ TCG Info Included: Dive into the Trading Card Game world with comprehensive TCG information, including card details, prices, and rarity. ▶ No Login Required: Get instant access to a wealth of creature knowledge without the hassle of creating an account or remembering credentials. ▶ Works Offline: MasterDex is designed to be your reliable companion, even when you're offline. Access crucial information on the go, no matter where your adventures take you. ▶ Special Evolutions and Alternative Forms: Uncover the secrets of special evolutions and explore the diverse range of alternative forms within this captivating universe. ▶ Create a List of Your Favorite Creatures: Keep track of your most cherished companions. ▶ Keep Track of Your Shinies: Stay organized and track your shiny creatures with ease. MasterDex helps you monitor and celebrate your rare and unique discoveries. ▶ Detailed Information: Access to comprehensive details on creatures, moves, abilities, natures, items locations, and types. ▶ Advanced Search Filters: Find the creatures you're looking for effortlessly using advanced search filters. Narrow down your search based on various criteria. Embark on an extraordinary journey with MasterDex, your go-to companion. Please note that MasterDex is an unofficial, fan-made, and free-to-use app. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the creators of the captivating world. Start your adventure today and become a true master!"

Screenshots

Shiny Chain4 screens
MasterDex4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: MasterDex at 4.8 against Shiny Chain's 4.0. MasterDex also leads on review sentiment (87% vs 62%) and ratings volume (1.7K vs 65). Shiny Chain's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (8.0 vs 16.6). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases 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. Shiny Chain sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and MasterDex sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

MasterDex holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: MasterDex has 1.7K ratings behind it against 65, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 62% of Shiny Chain's written reviews are positive against 87% of MasterDex's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Shiny Chain ships an update fortnightly, MasterDex every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 2, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Shiny Chain versus MasterDex: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterShiny ChainMasterDex
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (65 ratings)4.8 (1.7K ratings) — better
Positive reviews61.7% of reviews86.6% of reviews — better
Number of ratings651.7K — better
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS8.0 — better16.6
Further details — not scored
Size63 MB196 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNoxfall Studios SLLorenzo Greco

Customer experience

Shiny Chain

All ratings65 ratings
Positive70.8%
Neutral15.4%
Negative13.8%
Written reviews60 reviews
Positive61.7%
Neutral20.0%
Negative18.3%

MasterDex

All ratings1,713 ratings
Positive94.9%
Neutral1.9%
Negative3.3%
Written reviews382 reviews
Positive86.6%
Neutral4.2%
Negative9.2%

User reviews

Shiny Chain

From 65 App Store ratings

What we love

  • ✨ Great for shiny hunting
  • 👍 Easy to use
  • 💰 Affordable pro version
  • 💡 Useful for tracking
  • 🚀 Motivates users

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Data loss/resets
  • 💸 Purchase restore issues
  • 😠 Ads in paid version
  • 🤔 Incorrect odds
  • 🚫 Music pauses

MasterDex

From 1.7K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Fantastic app
  • 👍 Great Pokédex
  • 🔒 No ads
  • 💡 One-time purchase
  • 👍 Aesthetically pleasing

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Crashing and slow loading
  • 🐛 Bugs with team builder
  • 🐛 Missing Pokémon forms and gender differences
  • 🐛 Incorrect or outdated information
  • 💡 Lack of Pokémon location filters

Bugs and requests

Shiny Chain

Reported bugs

13 issues
  • Counter resets to 0 randomly
  • Lost all progress/achievements
  • Purchase not restoring after phone change
  • Premium version not loading after purchase
  • Ads reappear after paying to remove them
Show 8 more
  • App pauses music playback
  • Odds calculation errors
  • Catch combo resets at 255
  • Data deleted after app inactivity or updates
  • Purchase not restoring after switching phones
  • Premium features disappear after update
  • Reset button too accessible
  • Four-digit numbers turning into three-digit numbers

Requested features

16 requests
  • Add support for new games (Sword/Shield, etc.)
  • Add mode for older games (Gen V and prior)
  • Add 2 counters for dual-hunting
  • Add mode for VC GSC reset counters
  • Add reset counter for egg/Masuda method
Show 11 more
  • Add Wormhole counter
  • Update SOS chain to not reset after 255
  • Add Shiny Swap method counter
  • Add automatic timer or voice input
  • Add Rotom themed skin or skins in general
  • Add 'other' mode for games with 1/8193 chance
  • Add Masuda method counter for older games
  • Add mode for ORAS/XY radars
  • Add support for ultra wormholes
  • Add a less accessible reset button
  • Add explanation for premium features

MasterDex

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Shiny toggle not working in team builder
  • Pokémon 3D models and artwork not displaying
  • Johto region locations missing
  • Crashes when adding Pokémon to teams
  • Incorrect information for some Pokémon (e.g., Necrozma's ability, Pikachu's classification)

Requested features

9 requests
  • Add Pokémon location filters
  • Implement ability to mark Pokémon as caught/seen
  • Add damage calculator
  • Allow reorganizing of teams
  • Include Pokémon cries and Dynamax/Gigantamax forms
Show 4 more
  • Add Pokémon trainer and villain information
  • Provide option to change default sprite view
  • Implement Tera Type information
  • Add item location and TM/HM information

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Shiny Chain

One-time1
  • Pro Version$0.99
2 purchases

MasterDex

One-time2
  • Masteredex - Sale$1.99
  • Masterdex PRO$2.99

Questions

Is Shiny Chain free?
Shiny Chain is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is MasterDex free?
MasterDex is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Shiny Chain or MasterDex?
MasterDex is rated higher. Shiny Chain averages 4.0 out of 5 from 65 ratings, while MasterDex averages 4.8 from 1.7K ratings.
Do Shiny Chain or MasterDex have ads?
MasterDex shows ads; Shiny Chain does not.
Which is updated more often, Shiny Chain or MasterDex?
Shiny Chain ships an update fortnightly, and MasterDex every 3 weeks. Most recently, Shiny Chain was updated on October 2, 2026 and MasterDex on October 20, 2026.

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