Comparison

Idle Universe vs Tribulation Runner

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

Head to head
About

Idle Universe

Tap to gather matter and create interstellar objects, from particles to galaxies. Objects automatically generate more matter, allowing for endless universe expansion. Unlock divine powers, upgrade objects, and utilize special abilities to grow your cosmic creation.

Highlights
  • Create 31 interstellar objects
  • Unlock 24 Divine Powers
  • Upgrade objects with multiple options
  • Obtain Dark Matter for special abilities
  • Gain Antimatter via prestige for permanent upgrades
  • Compete on leaderboards
  • Earn daily rewards and achievements
Features
Read full description

Create your own universe in this new addictive idle game! First, you have to gather matter yourself by tapping; but once you've got enough matter to create a couple of objects in your universe, these will produce more matter automatically by colliding. Features: • Create many different interstellar objects - from tiny particles to your own planets, galaxies and even more! • Unlock Divine Powers, powerful permanent upgrades! • Speed up the growth of your universe with even more powerful Evolvements, transcendental upgrades that persist even through restarts! • Upgrade all of your objects in various ways! You will need to find a strategy that fits your playstyle to succeed in the late-game! • Obtain Dark Matter and use special abilities like Augmented Production and Tapping! • Get even bigger with prestige! Every time you restart the game, you will obtain Antimatter, which can be used to buy permanent super upgrades! • Join the competition with a global leaderboard! • Get daily rewards! • Earn Achievements, not just for the sake of it, but to increase your production even further! There're plenty of opportunities in the game - you can play for weeks and never get bored! Try our new idle game and create your very own universe :)

About

Tribulation Runner

Features
Read full description

Walk the long, bitter road of cultivation. Tribulation Runner is an endless runner set on the cultivator's path — run, leap, slide, and cut through an ever-harder road as you gather Qi and ascend realm by realm. The way you play CHANGES as you grow: a mortal can only endure and dodge, but ascend and you'll awaken Qi Leap (double jump), sword-qi, Cloud Tread (glide), Sword-flight, and at last face the Heavenly Tribulation. • Cultivation that lasts — your realm is saved across sessions; reaching Ascension is a journey of weeks, not minutes. • An evolving game — new arts and new threats unlock as you climb from Qi Condensation to Ascension. • Heavenly Tribulation — endure a lightning gauntlet to break through to the next realm. • Build your Dao Heart combo and refine permanent cultivation upgrades. • Daily Qi rewards, cultivation trials, and a journal of milestones. • One-handed swipe controls. The road is long. Will you endure it?

Screenshots

Idle Universe4 screens
Tribulation Runner4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Tribulation Runner at none against Idle Universe's 7. Tribulation Runner also leads on ads (none vs shown). Idle Universe's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 6 weeks). On price, device support and iOS requirement 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. Idle Universe sells 7 one-off in-app purchases. Tribulation Runner asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Idle Universe ships an update every 3 weeks, Tribulation Runner every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Idle Universe versus Tribulation Runner: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterIdle UniverseTribulation Runner
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (1.5K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews65.2% of reviews—
Number of ratings1.5K — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 6 weeks
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.015.0
Further details — not scored
Size297 MB178 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperDominik StallmannEbrahim Shaikh

Bugs and requests

Idle Universe

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Prestige button not working
  • Ads not providing expected rewards
  • Frequent crashes and freezes
  • Incorrect offline progress tracking

Requested features

4 requests
  • Offline progress tracking
  • More prestige layers and upgrades
  • Better optimization for larger screens
  • Improved tutorial and explanations

Tribulation Runner

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

7 purchases

Idle Universe

One-time7
  • 250 Dark Matter$3.99
  • Double Antimatter Gains$4.99
  • +100% Transcendence Exp$4.99
Show 4 more
  • Remove All Ads$8.99
  • 1000 Dark Matter$9.99
  • 2500 Dark Matter$24.99
  • 10000 Dark Matter$69.99
None

Tribulation Runner

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Idle Universe free?
Idle Universe is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Tribulation Runner free?
Tribulation Runner is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Idle Universe or Tribulation Runner have ads?
Idle Universe shows ads; Tribulation Runner does not.
Which is updated more often, Idle Universe or Tribulation Runner?
Idle Universe ships an update every 3 weeks, and Tribulation Runner every 6 weeks. Most recently, Idle Universe was updated on October 20, 2026 and Tribulation Runner on October 16, 2026.

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