Comparison

AR Runner vs The Jackbox

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

Head to head
About

AR Runner

This augmented reality sports game challenges you to run through virtual checkpoints, set records, and compete globally. Play indoors or outdoors with various game modes and customizable field sizes. It offers an active and inventive way to engage with AR.

Highlights
  • Augmented reality checkpoint running
  • Global leaderboards
  • Four distinct game modes
  • Customizable field sizes and shapes
  • 60 handcrafted challenges
  • Photo mode for score sharing
Read full description

Run through checkpoints and set new records! Compete against other players worldwide! Play indoors or outside! AR Runner is a one-of-a-kind competitive augmented reality game. "Gets you moving, no matter where you are" - The Washington Post "It’s short, fast, active fun, and an inventive use of ARKit" - Macworld "Beat a world record without ever leaving your hometown" - CNET "A blast with friends" - Wareable –– 4 GAME MODES • Normal: Activate the spots in a certain order • 30 Sec Rush: Activate the most number of spots in 30 seconds • Enemies: Activate the most number of spots while avoiding enemies • Wall Punch: Activate the most number of circles by moving your device through them –– 4 FIELD SIZES, 6 FIELD SHAPES • Choose between different field sizes and shapes to match your environment and skills –– CHALLENGES • Put your skills to the test by completing 60 handcrafted challenges –– OTHER FEATURES • 36 LEADERBOARDS: See how you rank against other players • PHOTO MODE: Take a photo of your score using the in-game camera • Sync your progress using iCloud • Minimalist design • Universal app for iPhone and iPad • Immersive digital environments • No ads

About

The Jackbox

Solve intricate mechanical puzzles and riddles within mysterious boxes before they explode. Uncover a spooky circus story and its secrets through over 60 unique challenges. Enjoy stunning graphics, an authentic soundtrack, and choose between single-player or cooperative multiplayer modes.

Highlights
  • Solve mechanical puzzles and riddles
  • Over 60 unique puzzle boxes
  • Stunning circus atmosphere graphics
  • Engaging mind-blowing story
  • Normal and AR modes
  • Single-player and multiplayer options
Features
Read full description

The Jackbox is a tricky puzzle game where your mission is to solve mysterious puzzle boxes before they pop. Binxy The Clown is hiding something in the mysterious boxes. Your goal is to open them by solving mechanical puzzles and peculiar riddles. To unlock the secret of this strange circus and its staff you'll need to solve more than 60 of these boxes! In the circus, fun is guaranteed for everyone... STUNNING GRAPHICS Experience the atmosphere you have never seen before. MIND-BLOWING STORY Open the puzzle boxes to reveal a secret story. AMAZING PUZZLES Thinking outside of the box just got a new meaning! EASY TO BEGIN ...but very hard to stop! AUTHENTIC SOUNDTRACK The gameplay is accompanied by an original soundtrack that perfectly depicts a spooky circus ambiance. CHOOSE YOUR MODE Enjoy the game either in Normal or AR mode. SINGLE PLAYER OR MULTIPLAYER The game features a great single-player mode and for the first time a multiplayer AR mode in which cooperation between you and your friends is necessary to open the puzzle boxes. FREE TO PLAY Download The Jackbox now and start your adventure with 30 free levels.

Screenshots

AR Runner4 screens
The Jackbox4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: AR Runner at 83% against The Jackbox's 36%. AR Runner also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 5 days vs every 24 months). The Jackbox's advantage is rating (4.6 vs 4.3) and ratings volume (751 vs 210). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support 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. AR Runner sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and The Jackbox sells 8 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

The Jackbox holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 210 and 751 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 83% of AR Runner's written reviews are positive against 36% of The Jackbox's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

AR Runner ships an update every 5 days, The Jackbox every 24 months. The most recent releases landed on October 9, 2026 and October 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
AR Runner versus The Jackbox: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAR RunnerThe Jackbox
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (210 ratings)4.6 (751 ratings) — better
Positive reviews82.8% of reviews — better35.9% of reviews
Number of ratings210751 — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 days — betterEvery 24 months
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS11.011.0
Further details — not scored
Size66 MB422 MB
Age rating4+9+
DeveloperSemidome Inc.MOBIPLAY OU

Customer experience

AR Runner

All ratings210 ratings
Positive84.3%
Neutral3.8%
Negative11.9%
Written reviews93 reviews
Positive82.8%
Neutral5.4%
Negative11.8%

The Jackbox

All ratings751 ratings
Positive90.4%
Neutral4.8%
Negative4.8%
Written reviews276 reviews
Positive35.9%
Neutral18.5%
Negative45.7%

User reviews

AR Runner

From 210 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🎮 Innovative AR fitness game concept
  • 💪 Effective workout and exercise motivation
  • 😄 Fun and entertaining gameplay
  • 🆓 No ads in free version
  • ⭐ Great replay value and leaderboards

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Ground detection failures
  • 🐛 Targets drift and float out of view
  • 🐛 App crashes occasionally
  • 🐛 Camera permission issues
  • 📉 Broken on newer phones despite past functionality

The Jackbox

From 751 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Enjoyable puzzles
  • 👍 Smooth gameplay
  • 🎨 Nice graphics
  • 🤡 Creepy/spooky theme

Room to improve

  • 🔍 Lack of instructions
  • 🔌 Overheating issues
  • 🔦 Disruptive lighting/shaking effects
  • 🕰️ Timed puzzles can be frustrating
  • 🔁 Repetitive puzzles

Bugs and requests

AR Runner

Reported bugs

9 issues
  • Ground detection fails to initialize
  • Targets drift higher and become unreachable
  • App crashes on iPhone 13 Pro and newer devices
  • Camera permission not requested properly
  • Camera access issues on some devices
Show 4 more
  • Spelling errors in UI ("Appuyez pour commancer")
  • Inconsistent performance on larger play fields
  • Blocks and targets occasionally invisible
  • Compatibility issues with iOS 11 on some devices

Requested features

12 requests
  • VR/VR headset compatibility (Google Cardboard support)
  • Cross-device multiplayer (connect multiple phones)
  • Custom track creation
  • Additional game modes and levels
  • Video sharing for scores (not just screenshots)
Show 7 more
  • Apple Watch integration
  • Adjustable UI elements (disable timer option)
  • Tag/chase game mode
  • Virtual obstacles and challenges
  • Changeable enemy block colors
  • Football field-sized play areas
  • Racing mode for multiple players

The Jackbox

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Inability to progress past certain levels
  • Ads not working properly
  • Frequent crashes

Requested features

5 requests
  • Option to disable lighting/shaking effects
  • Ability to collect all puzzle pieces
  • More challenging puzzles
  • Landscape mode support
  • Cross-save functionality

In-app purchases

1 purchases

AR Runner

One-time1
  • Premium$1.99
8 purchases

The Jackbox

One-time8
  • All Jigsaw Puzzle Pieces$1.99
  • Blue Box Pack$1.99
  • Yellow Box Pack$1.99
Show 5 more
  • White Box Pack$1.99
  • Purple Box Pack$1.99
  • Remove Ads$1.99
  • Green Box Pack$1.99
  • Premium Pack$5.99

Questions

Is AR Runner free?
AR Runner is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is The Jackbox free?
The Jackbox is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, AR Runner or The Jackbox?
The Jackbox is rated higher. AR Runner averages 4.3 out of 5 from 210 ratings, while The Jackbox averages 4.6 from 751 ratings.
Do AR Runner or The Jackbox have ads?
The Jackbox shows ads; AR Runner does not.
Which is updated more often, AR Runner or The Jackbox?
AR Runner ships an update every 5 days, and The Jackbox every 24 months. Most recently, AR Runner was updated on October 9, 2026 and The Jackbox on October 5, 2026.

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