# Retro Commander vs Pocket Panzers

The clearest difference is rating: Pocket Panzers at 4.7 against Retro Commander's 3.8. Pocket Panzers also leads on update cadence (every 9 days vs every 2 months) and ratings volume (351 vs 15). Retro Commander's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). On price, review sentiment, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Retro Commander sells 14 one-off in-app purchases and Pocket Panzers sells 8 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Pocket Panzers holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Pocket Panzers has 351 ratings behind it against 15, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 80% of Retro Commander's written reviews are positive against 86% of Pocket Panzers's.

Retro Commander ships an update every 2 months, Pocket Panzers every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Retro Commander | Pocket Panzers |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.8 (15 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/retro-commander/id1274342935/reviews) | **[4.7 (351 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pocket-panzers/id6744303947/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 15 | **351** |
| Positive reviews | 80.0% of reviews | **85.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 9 days** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 152 MB | 252 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 12+ | 9+ |
| Developer | [Noble Master LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/310121642) | [Segment Games](https://appshunter.io/developer/1847490041) |

## What reviewers say

### Retro Commander

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/retro-commander/id1274342935)

Engage in post-apocalyptic real-time strategy battles. Command diverse units and technologies in a rich story campaign or test your skills against AI and players in cross-platform multiplayer. Features include a map editor and extensive modding capabilities.

**Highlights:** Post-apocalyptic RTS gameplay, Story campaign with unique factions, Single-player skirmish matches vs AI, Cross-platform multiplayer, Map editor and modding support, Diverse units and research options, Multiple game modes (capture the flag, battle royale)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (14)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Map: Chapter 02 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Map: Battle Map 02 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Map: Battle Map 05 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Clan Manager | $1.99 | one-time |
| Map: Chapter 03 | $3.99 | one-time |
| Map: Chapter 08 | $3.99 | one-time |
| Map: Battle Map A1 | $3.99 | one-time |
| Map: Chapter 04 | $3.99 | one-time |
| Map: Chapter 06 | $3.99 | one-time |
| Map: Chapter 07 | $3.99 | one-time |
| Map: Battle Map 03 | $3.99 | one-time |
| Map: Battle Map 04 | $3.99 | one-time |
| Modded Maps | $4.99 | one-time |
| All Maps & Modding | $19.99 | one-time |


### Pocket Panzers

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pocket-panzers/id6744303947)

Engage in turn-based tank strategy, commanding diverse historical troops and recreating battles from WWII to modern conflicts. Expand your nation, manage resources with new features like railroads and trains, and utilize advanced units including missiles and airplanes. Explore a global map with a detailed map editor and community-created content.

**Highlights:** Turn-based strategy gameplay, Historical battle scenarios, Modern and historical units (tanks, artillery, ships, missiles), Resource management (railroads, trains), Global map with air units, Map editor and user-generated content, 3D graphics with new terrain

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

**In-app purchases (8)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 2000 Gold | $1.99 | one-time |
| Eisenhower | $2.99 | one-time |
| 5000 Gold | $3.99 | one-time |
| Guderian | $3.99 | one-time |
| Zhukov | $3.99 | one-time |
| Yamamoto | $3.99 | one-time |
| Manstein | $4.99 | one-time |
| 20000 Gold | $8.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Interesting game
- 🚀 Lots of waiting but pretty gud
- 👍 Great sequel to Armchair Commander
- 👍 Very good and much more easier
- 👍 Amazing, best way to play any game like this

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Can't play as USSR in Conquest 1939
- 🐛 Allies not mobilizing and building units in Conquest
- 🐛 Territories of Finland, Sweden, and Norway are too limited
- 🐛 Game keeps crashing
- 🐛 Pop-up for purchases doesn't work

**Reported bugs**

- Can't control units in first Daily Challenge level
- Game keeps crashing

**Requested features**

- Allow creating custom alliances, not just historical mode
- Add chance to get chests after completing scenarios, not just using gold
- Add button to dismiss events like in HOI4 to help map makers
- Improve AI, it's too easy to dominate as Germany in 1939


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Retro Commander free?

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

### Is Pocket Panzers free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Retro Commander or Pocket Panzers?

Pocket Panzers is rated higher. Retro Commander averages 3.8 out of 5 from 15 ratings, while Pocket Panzers averages 4.7 from 351 ratings.

### Do Retro Commander or Pocket Panzers have ads?

Pocket Panzers shows ads; Retro Commander does not.

### Which is updated more often, Retro Commander or Pocket Panzers?

Retro Commander ships an update every 2 months, and Pocket Panzers every 9 days. Most recently, Retro Commander was updated on October 29, 2026 and Pocket Panzers on October 28, 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.*