# RuneScape vs Stardew Valley

The clearest difference is price: RuneScape at Free against Stardew Valley's $4.99. Stardew Valley's advantage is rating (4.8 vs 3.8) and review sentiment (73% vs 31%). On device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

RuneScape is free to download; Stardew Valley costs $4.99 up front. RuneScape sells 16 in-app purchases, starting at $10.99 per month. Stardew Valley asks for nothing beyond the download.

Stardew Valley holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Stardew Valley has 64K ratings behind it against 6K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 31% of RuneScape's written reviews are positive against 73% of Stardew Valley's.

RuneScape ships an update every 3 weeks, Stardew Valley every 3 days. Both last shipped on October 31, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | RuneScape | Stardew Valley |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $4.99 |
| Rating | [3.8 (6K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/runescape/id1332022656/reviews) | **[4.8 (64K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stardew-valley/id1406710800/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 6K | **64K** |
| Positive reviews | 31.0% of reviews | **73.4% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Every 3 days** |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Paid |
| Best chart rank | #73 | **#1** |
| Size | 117 MB | 442 MB |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | 13.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 12+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Jagex](https://appshunter.io/developer/338544819) | [ConcernedApe](https://appshunter.io/developer/1620477446) |

## What reviewers say

### RuneScape

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/runescape/id1332022656)

**Currently charting:** #73 Top Grossing · Adventure, #153 Top Grossing · Role Playing (US App Store)

Embark on an epic fantasy adventure in a vast, evolving MMORPG world. Choose your path as a lone adventurer or raid with friends, mastering diverse skills and facing mythical creatures. Explore unique locations and interact with memorable characters in this enduring online experience.

**Highlights:** Vast open world exploration, Player-driven progression, Diverse skill system (29+ skills), Versatile combat options, Rich NPC interactions, Player trading system, Optional membership for expanded content

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (16)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1 Month Membership + Trial | $10.99 | per month |
| 1 Month Membership | $12.49 | per month |
| 1 Month Membership | $14.99 | per month |
| Starter Membership Pack | $14.99 | per month |
| 1 Day Membership | $0.99 | one-time |
| 3 Day Membership | $1.99 | one-time |
| 7 Day Membership | $3.99 | one-time |
| 15 Keys | $5.99 | one-time |
| 1 RuneScape Bond | $8.99 | one-time |
| 35 Keys | $11.99 | one-time |
| 75 keys + Wrapping paper | $19.99 | one-time |
| 75 Keys | $23.99 | one-time |
| 3 RuneScape Bonds | $26.95 | one-time |
| 200 Keys | $59.99 | one-time |
| 10 RuneScape Bonds | $89.99 | one-time |
| 450 Keys | $119.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🎮 Great mobile experience
- 🕹️ Smooth gameplay
- 🔥 Nostalgic throwback
- 🌐 Expansive content
- 👍 Enjoyable for long-time fans

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔍 Cluttered UI and small buttons
- 🔋 High battery consumption
- 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs
- 🤖 Unresponsive controls
- 💰 Expensive membership and microtransactions

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes during character creation
- Unresponsive tapping and input issues
- Dialogue and quest progression problems
- Incompatibility with certain iOS devices
- Networking and server connection issues

**Requested features**

- Customizable UI and interface
- Improved touch controls and navigation
- Better optimization for tablets and larger screens
- Joystick or controller support
- More tutorials and guidance for new players


### Stardew Valley

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stardew-valley/id1406710800)

**Currently charting:** #1 Top Paid · Role Playing, #3 Top Paid · Simulation, #8 Top Paid · Games, #15 Top Paid (US App Store)

Cultivate a new life in this open-ended farming RPG. Build your dream farm, raise animals, grow crops, and explore mysterious caves. Customize your farmer, settle down, and become part of a vibrant community.

**Highlights:** Build and customize your farm, Raise animals and grow crops, Explore caves and battle monsters, Develop relationships and start a family, Participate in festivals and quests, Fishing and foraging activities, Mobile-specific controls and auto-save

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Addictive and fun
- 👍 Engaging storylines
- 🌟 Beautiful game
- 🎮 Great gameplay
- 🕹️ Relaxing and calming

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashes and freezes
- 🔍 Difficult to find/catch fish
- 🎮 Challenging controls, especially for combat
- 🔁 Repetitive dialogue/events
- 🔧 Bugs with furniture placement and interactions

**Reported bugs**

- Fishing rod sound bug
- Sewer key cutscene not triggering
- Furniture/building placement issues
- Inventory/interaction bugs
- Crashing when entering certain areas

**Requested features**

- Multiplayer support
- More NPC interactions and relationships
- Ability to grow up/customize children
- Joystick/controller support
- More end-game content and challenges


## Frequently asked questions

### Is RuneScape free?

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

### Is Stardew Valley free?

Stardew Valley costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, RuneScape or Stardew Valley?

Stardew Valley is rated higher. RuneScape averages 3.8 out of 5 from 6K ratings, while Stardew Valley averages 4.8 from 64K ratings.

### Do RuneScape or Stardew Valley have ads?

RuneScape shows ads; Stardew Valley does not.

### Which is updated more often, RuneScape or Stardew Valley?

RuneScape ships an update every 3 weeks, and Stardew Valley every 3 days. Most recently, RuneScape was updated on October 31, 2026 and Stardew Valley on October 31, 2026.

### Which is more popular, RuneScape or Stardew Valley?

RuneScape currently peaks at #73 in the App Store charts, and Stardew Valley at #1. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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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.*