# Goblin's Shop vs Merchant

Goblin's Shop and Merchant both sit at 4.3 stars, but that hides the real split: 80% of Goblin's Shop's written reviews are positive against 50% of Merchant's. Goblin's Shop also leads on ratings volume (193 vs 53) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). On price, rating, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Goblin's Shop sells 7 one-off in-app purchases and Merchant sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.3 for Goblin's Shop against 4.4 for Merchant. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 193 and 53 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 80% of Goblin's Shop's written reviews are positive against 50% of Merchant's.

Goblin's Shop ships an update every 3 weeks, Merchant every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Goblin's Shop | Merchant |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.3 (193 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/goblins-shop/id1231913615/reviews) | **[4.4 (53 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/merchant-guilds/id1526555919/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **193** | 53 |
| Positive reviews | **79.7% of reviews** | 50.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 428 MB | 410 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 9+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [JUNG CHUN HUNG](https://appshunter.io/developer/379851840) | [Retora Game Studios](https://appshunter.io/developer/484290233) |

## What reviewers say

### Goblin's Shop

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/goblins-shop/id1231913615)

Run a fantasy shop in this pixel-art simulation game. Craft weapons, armor, and potions for monsters to help them defeat humans. Embark on RPG adventures to gather materials and upgrade your shop and team.

**Highlights:** Pixel-art simulation gameplay, RPG adventures with monster customers, Craft over 100 items, Customizable shop facilities, Monster skill trees and talents, 44 adventure territories, Multiplayer challenges

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 30 gems | $0.99 | one-time |
| Full Version | $2.99 | one-time |
| 200 gems | $4.99 | one-time |
| 450 gems | $9.99 | one-time |
| 1000 gems | $19.99 | one-time |
| 2700 gems | $49.99 | one-time |
| 6000 gems | $99.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Addictive gameplay
- 👍 Unique and charming pixel art style
- 💰 Generous free-to-play model with no paywalls
- 🎮 Satisfying RPG and shop management mechanics
- 🕰 Offline playability

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐢 Slow progression and leveling
- 🕹️ Frustrating combat system and AI
- 🏪 Limited shop customization and expansion options
- 🔍 Unclear or missing information on game mechanics
- 🤖 Buggy and unstable at times

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes and freezes during gameplay
- Inability to collect dropped items or resources
- Inconsistent or broken quest/level progression
- Graphical and UI issues on certain devices

**Requested features**

- Ability to equip and control the player character
- Expanded shop customization and management options
- Improved combat and enemy AI
- Better resource gathering and progression systems
- Clearer tutorials and in-game information


### Merchant

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/merchant-guilds/id1526555919)

Embark on a fantasy adventure where you manage a guild, send heroes on quests, and craft valuable items. Trade with customers, gather resources, and collaborate with friends in this unique RPG experience.

**Highlights:** Guild management, Hero quests, Item crafting, Customer sales, Resource gathering, Online multiplayer

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

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Extra Daily Challenge | $0.99 | one-time |
| Extra Daily Challenge Upg #2 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Hero Slots Unlock | $1.99 | one-time |
| Additional Inventory Slots | $1.99 | one-time |
| Second Inventory Upgrade | $1.99 | one-time |
| Extra Crafting Slot | $3.99 | one-time |
| Extra Hero Loadouts | $9.99 | one-time |
| Ad Free Mode | $9.99 | one-time |
| Unlock All Upgrades | $29.99 | one-time |
| Unlock All Upgrades | $34.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Goblin's Shop free?

Goblin's Shop is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Merchant free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Goblin's Shop or Merchant?

Merchant is rated higher. Goblin's Shop averages 4.3 out of 5 from 193 ratings, while Merchant averages 4.4 from 53 ratings.

### Do Goblin's Shop or Merchant have ads?

Both Goblin's Shop and Merchant show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Goblin's Shop or Merchant?

Goblin's Shop ships an update every 3 weeks, and Merchant every 2 weeks. Most recently, Goblin's Shop was updated on October 24, 2026 and Merchant on October 24, 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.*