# A Step Ahead Challenge vs Gem Cat Minesweeper

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Gem Cat Minesweeper at 100% against A Step Ahead Challenge's 55%. Gem Cat Minesweeper also leads on update cadence (daily vs every 5 weeks) and rating (5.0 vs 4.8). A Step Ahead Challenge's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (7.2K vs 2). On price, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Gem Cat Minesweeper holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: A Step Ahead Challenge has 7.2K ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 55% of A Step Ahead Challenge's written reviews are positive against 100% of Gem Cat Minesweeper's.

A Step Ahead Challenge ships an update every 5 weeks, Gem Cat Minesweeper daily. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | A Step Ahead Challenge | Gem Cat Minesweeper |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.8 (7.2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/a-step-ahead-challenge/id1254196799/reviews) | **[5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gem-cat-minesweeper/id6806048042/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **7.2K** | 2 |
| Positive reviews | 55.2% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks | **Daily** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Ad-supported** |
| Size | 238 MB | 86 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [FIX Health](https://appshunter.io/developer/1245743306) | [APRIL RENEE HARRISON](https://appshunter.io/developer/6806048044) |

## What reviewers say

### A Step Ahead Challenge

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/a-step-ahead-challenge/id1254196799)

Embark on a virtual walking adventure where your real-world steps power your survival against zombies, robots, and aliens. Complete missions, upgrade your character, and join teams to conquer challenges in a post-apocalyptic world. New adventures are released regularly.

**Highlights:** Sync steps from fitness trackers, Form teams and get active, Use steps to complete missions, Use exercise to battle enemies, Track progress on maps and leaderboards, Regular content expansions

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🤝 Great team building
- 🏃‍♀️ Motivates exercise
- 🕹️ Fun and engaging game
- 🔍 Competitive aspect
- 🔔 Helpful notifications

**What reviewers complain about**

- ⏱️ Slow load times
- 🤕 Unfair team size disadvantage
- 🤔 Lack of direction/instructions
- 💰 Expensive per challenge
- 🔍 Difficulty selecting players

**Reported bugs**

- Syncing issues with fitness trackers
- App crashes after updates
- Steps not registering properly

**Requested features**

- Add countdown timer
- Improve team management features
- Introduce more challenge types
- Provide post-mission recap
- Allow skipping tutorial


### Gem Cat Minesweeper

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gem-cat-minesweeper/id6806048042)

A charming puzzle game that reimagines classic Minesweeper with a cat and gem theme. Use logic to clear sparkling boards, uncover hidden cats, and progress through colorful levels. Enjoy a relaxing yet challenging experience with unique artwork and playful sounds.

**Highlights:** Classic logic-based Minesweeper gameplay, Cat and gem-themed difficulty levels, Crystal Cat lives that regenerate, Rewarded ads for hints, Mobile-friendly controls, Distinctive artwork and sound effects

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is A Step Ahead Challenge free?

A Step Ahead Challenge is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Gem Cat Minesweeper free?

Gem Cat Minesweeper is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, A Step Ahead Challenge or Gem Cat Minesweeper?

Gem Cat Minesweeper is rated higher. A Step Ahead Challenge averages 4.8 out of 5 from 7.2K ratings, while Gem Cat Minesweeper averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.

### Do A Step Ahead Challenge or Gem Cat Minesweeper have ads?

Gem Cat Minesweeper shows ads; A Step Ahead Challenge does not.

### Which is updated more often, A Step Ahead Challenge or Gem Cat Minesweeper?

A Step Ahead Challenge ships an update every 5 weeks, and Gem Cat Minesweeper daily. Most recently, A Step Ahead Challenge was updated on November 2, 2026 and Gem Cat Minesweeper on October 31, 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.*
