# Tap Forward vs Merge Pet

The clearest difference is rating: Merge Pet at 4.4 against Tap Forward's 3.7. Merge Pet also leads on review sentiment (80% vs 39%) and update cadence (every 8 days vs every 3 weeks). Tap Forward's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (7.0 vs 10.0). On price, ratings volume, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Tap Forward sells 10 one-off in-app purchases and Merge Pet sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Merge Pet holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 42 and 36 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 39% of Tap Forward's written reviews are positive against 80% of Merge Pet's.

Tap Forward ships an update every 3 weeks, Merge Pet every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 6, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Tap Forward | Merge Pet |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.7 (42 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tap-forward/id1205549963/reviews) | **[4.4 (36 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/merge-pet-animal-evolution/id1464558032/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **42** | 36 |
| Positive reviews | 39.1% of reviews | **80.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Every 8 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 537 MB | 101 MB |
| Requires iOS | **7.0** | 10.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [FIVE BITS, INC.](https://appshunter.io/developer/828952584) | [D2M STUDIO COMPANY LIMITED](https://appshunter.io/developer/1446167376) |

## What reviewers say

### Tap Forward

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tap-forward/id1205549963)

Experience a simulated life journey from birth to old age. Make choices, upgrade your character, and encounter various life events. See how your decisions shape your future and try to reach the end of your life's path.

**Highlights:** Idle game mechanics, Upgrades and power-ups, Life events simulation, Character progression, Discover new faces, Experience aging

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| AutoClicker Small | $0.99 | one-time |
| Small Time Travel | $0.99 | one-time |
| Premium Spin | $0.99 | one-time |
| Tap Small | $0.99 | one-time |
| Remove Ads | $1.99 | one-time |
| Tap Medium | $1.99 | one-time |
| AutoClicker Large | $2.99 | one-time |
| Large Time Travel | $2.99 | one-time |
| Idle Large | $2.99 | one-time |
| Tap Large | $2.99 | one-time |


### Merge Pet

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/merge-pet-animal-evolution/id1464558032)

Discover the evolution of animals in this casual puzzle and simulation game. Merge pets of the same kind to create higher-level creatures, earn coins, and expand your pet city. Explore various animal stories and build your unique pet world.

**Highlights:** Pet evolution discovery, Merge mechanics for higher-level pets, Coin earning and idle gameplay, Build and grow a pet city, Multiple animal types to unlock, Casual puzzle and simulation genre

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 500 Diamonds | $0.99 | one-time |
| Quick Merge | $0.99 | one-time |
| Better Pet | $0.99 | one-time |
| 1000 Diamonds | $1.99 | one-time |
| Remove Ads | $1.99 | one-time |
| Time Devide 2 | $2.99 | one-time |
| Permanent 2X | $2.99 | one-time |
| 3500 Diamonds | $4.99 | one-time |
| Buy All At Once | $8.99 | one-time |
| 7500 Diamonds | $9.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Tap Forward free?

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

### Is Merge Pet free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Tap Forward or Merge Pet?

Merge Pet is rated higher. Tap Forward averages 3.7 out of 5 from 42 ratings, while Merge Pet averages 4.4 from 36 ratings.

### Do Tap Forward or Merge Pet have ads?

Merge Pet shows ads; Tap Forward does not.

### Which is updated more often, Tap Forward or Merge Pet?

Tap Forward ships an update every 3 weeks, and Merge Pet every 8 days. Most recently, Tap Forward was updated on November 2, 2026 and Merge Pet on November 6, 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.*