Comparison

Honkai Impact 3rd vs SwordArtOnline

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

Head to head
About

Honkai Impact 3rd

Embark on a sci-fi adventure with stunning 3D graphics and dynamic combat. Team up with unique characters to explore new worlds and uncover mysteries. Experience an epic story with immersive events and a talented voice cast.

Highlights
  • 3D cel-shaded graphics
  • Real-time action combat
  • Infinite combo system
  • Intersecting storylines
  • Flexible team compositions
  • LITE system for daily tasks
  • New open maps
Features
Read full description

This game includes optional in-game purchases, including random virtual items. Honkai Impact 3rd is a sci-fi adventure action game developed by HoYoverse. 3D cel-shaded graphics, 3D combat with free jumping, infinite comboing, tight controls... Experience next-gen real-time action! An original tale told across media, immersive in-stage events, and a star-studded voice cast... Become part of the legend! The crisis on Earth has subsided for now, while a new adventure on Mars unfolds. Meet Valkyries with distinct personalities and explore the mysteries of Martian civilization together. Hyperion command system ready. Processing login request... Verified! Attention, all units! Safety latch disengaged, download engine initiating high-density energy transfer. Logging in in 10, 9, 8... "Captain on the bridge." From today onwards, you are our Captain. Please team up with us to fight for all that is beautiful in the world! In the shadow of Honkai, civilizations face one crisis after another; it's up to brave girls to fight to protect the world. However, this world is far, far bigger than you and I imagined... [Intersecting storylines! Adventure with friends new and old!] After Kiana fell into a slumber, friends from different planets gather for different reasons to uncover the secrets of Mars. [Classic action gaming! Flexible team compositions!] Diverse team compositions and combat strategies provide more possibilities in play. Fight together for all that's beautiful! [Take a break! LITE system makes daily tasks easy.] If you want a vacation like Theresa, use HOHO Vacation Tickets to sweep missions and claim rewards! [Upgraded visuals! New open maps to dive into!] Meticulous attention to lighting, texture, and other details creates a playable anime movie. Explore newly opened locations, enjoy immersive cinematics, and experience the allure of next-gen graphics!

About

SwordArtOnline

Step into the world of Sword Art Online as the protagonist in this MMORPG. Team up with other players to conquer Aincrad, forge weapons, and experience an "what-if" story that diverges from the original anime.

Highlights
  • Become the protagonist
  • Cooperative MMORPG gameplay
  • Experience original SAO story from your POV
  • Forge weapons and use skills
  • Battle monsters and complete quests
  • Behind-the-scenes stories
Read full description

The newest Sword Art Online game! This time, the protagonist is...you! You appear in this online RPG as a member of an Assault Team, working with other imprisoned players to reach the 100th floor of Aincrad! What if you were trapped in a game of life or death? You can experience meeting familiar characters and connecting to the original SAO story from your own POV. Experience behind-the-scenes stories not seen in the original SAO, and completely different story developments! Live out a "what-if" story where you affect Aincrad! Battle System Fight through the sprawling fields of Aincrad with your partner Koharu, trapped together in a game of life and death! You'll need to cooperate with Assault Teams across the land and battle together to beat powerful monsters and tough quests! Forging stronger weapons, using skills with all kinds of effects, and preparing for each enemy's weak points and attack patterns are all key to your success! -Boost Mode is a monthly subscription that gives you the following boosts: -Important ・Boost Mode is valid for a month starting from the purchased date and will be automatically renewed each month. ・If cancelled during the validity period, you will continue receiving effect of the boosts until you log out after the expiration date. ・You cannot make duplicate purchases during the validity period. ・Please be aware that deleting the app does not cancel this subscription. -Payment, Duration, Renewal ・Payment of this subscription will be made through Apple ID. ・If cancellation is not made 24 hours prior to the expiration date, the subscription will be renewed automatically. ・The one-month subscription will be renewed automatically within 24 hours before the expiry date and monthly charges will occur at every renewal. -Cancellation ・This subscription must be canceled at least 24 hours prior to the expiration date. ・Cancellation may be completed through the following procedure. 1. Tap Settings > [your name] > iTunes & App Store 2. Tap "Apple ID"" at the top of the screen. 3. Tap "View Apple ID"" then ""Subscriptions" 4. Tap "Boost Mode" purchased on "SWORD ART ONLINE: Integral Factor" to see the purchase history. 5. Cancel subscription by tapping ""Cancel Subscription"" Other Precautions ・There is a possibility that connection problems may occur when purchasing, so please do not close the application while purchase is still processing. ・Terms of Service http://legal.bandainamcoent.co.jp/terms/ ・Privacy Policy http://legal.bandainamcoent.co.jp/privacy/ Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc. Website: https://bandainamcoent.co.jp/english/ By downloading or installing this app, you agree to the Bandai Namco Entertainment Terms of Service. Terms of Service: https://legal.bandainamcoent.co.jp/terms/ Privacy Policy: https://legal.bandainamcoent.co.jp/privacy/ Note: This game contains some items available for in-app purchase that can enhance gameplay and speed up your progress. In-app purchases can be disabled in your device settings, see https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201304 for more details. This application is distributed under the official rights from the license holder.

Screenshots

Honkai Impact 3rd4 screens
SwordArtOnline4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: SwordArtOnline at none against Honkai Impact 3rd's shown. SwordArtOnline also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 2 months). Honkai Impact 3rd's advantage is rating (4.7 vs 4.4) and ratings volume (47K vs 12K). On price, review sentiment, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Honkai Impact 3rd sells 12 one-off in-app purchases and SwordArtOnline sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $8.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Honkai Impact 3rd holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 47K and 12K respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 69% and 69% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Honkai Impact 3rd ships an update every 2 months, SwordArtOnline fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Honkai Impact 3rd versus SwordArtOnline: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHonkai Impact 3rdSwordArtOnline
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (47K ratings) — better4.4 (12K ratings)
Positive reviews68.6% of reviews68.6% of reviews
Number of ratings47K — better12K
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.013.0
Further details — not scored
Size3.1 GB387 MB
Age rating12+12+
DeveloperCOGNOSPHERE PTE. LTD.Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc.

Customer experience

Honkai Impact 3rd

All ratings46,598 ratings
Positive92.0%
Neutral1.8%
Negative6.2%
Written reviews519 reviews
Positive68.6%
Neutral7.5%
Negative23.9%

SwordArtOnline

All ratings11,928 ratings
Positive84.7%
Neutral5.5%
Negative9.8%
Written reviews455 reviews
Positive68.6%
Neutral13.2%
Negative18.2%

User reviews

Honkai Impact 3rd

From 47K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Smooth gameplay
  • 🎨 Stunning graphics
  • 📚 Engaging story
  • 🎶 Excellent soundtrack
  • 🎮 Fluid combat mechanics

Room to improve

  • 💳 Gacha system can be expensive
  • 🔍 Overwhelming menu and UI
  • 🔋 High storage requirements
  • 🕰️ Slow energy/stamina recovery
  • 🔀 Repetitive mission types

SwordArtOnline

From 12K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Excellent graphics and visuals
  • 👍 Engaging storyline and characters
  • 🎮 Smooth and responsive gameplay
  • 📱 Great mobile experience
  • 🎨 Customizable character creation

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs
  • 🔁 Repetitive and grindy gameplay
  • 💰 Expensive in-app purchases
  • 🕰️ Slow progression and level grinding
  • 🔇 Audio issues and sound cutting out

Bugs and requests

Honkai Impact 3rd

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Frequent crashes and freezes
  • Inconsistent server connectivity
  • Progress reset after updates

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add more playable male characters
  • Improve camera controls and targeting
  • Increase energy/stamina recovery rate
  • Streamline UI and menu navigation
  • Expand open-world exploration

SwordArtOnline

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Bosses disappearing during battles
  • Characters getting stuck and becoming invisible
  • Inability to change servers or send messages to friends
  • Arcana gems not being properly credited
  • Constant update loop with no available updates

Requested features

7 requests
  • Controller support
  • Ability to change partner character's appearance
  • In-game trading system
  • Player-vs-player (PvP) mode
  • More diverse weapon and skill options
Show 2 more
  • Ability to replay story dialogues
  • Improved social features like guilds and chat

In-app purchases

12 purchases

Honkai Impact 3rd

One-time12
  • 65 B-Chips$0.99
  • 330 Crystal Bundle$4.99
  • 330 B-Chips$4.99
Show 9 more
  • 660+50 Crystals$9.99
  • 990 B-Chips$14.99
  • 1,320 Crystals$19.99
  • 1320+110 Crystals$19.99
  • 1,320 B-Chips$19.99
  • 1,980 B-Chips$29.99
  • 3,300 B-Chips$49.99
  • 3300+560 Crystals$49.99
  • 6600+1488 Crystals$99.99
10 purchases

SwordArtOnline

Subscriptions1
  • Boost Mode$8.991 Month
One-time9
  • Arcanagem A$0.99
  • Arcanagem B$3.99
  • 1H Sword Rookie's Pack$3.99
Show 6 more
  • Arcanagem C$7.99
  • Arcana Gem Pack$7.99
  • Arcanagem D$12.99
  • Arcanagem E$26.99
  • Arcanagem F$39.99
  • Arcanagem G$79.99

Questions

Is Honkai Impact 3rd free?
Honkai Impact 3rd is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is SwordArtOnline free?
SwordArtOnline is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Honkai Impact 3rd or SwordArtOnline?
Honkai Impact 3rd is rated higher. Honkai Impact 3rd averages 4.7 out of 5 from 47K ratings, while SwordArtOnline averages 4.4 from 12K ratings.
Do Honkai Impact 3rd or SwordArtOnline have ads?
Honkai Impact 3rd shows ads; SwordArtOnline does not.
Which is updated more often, Honkai Impact 3rd or SwordArtOnline?
Honkai Impact 3rd ships an update every 2 months, and SwordArtOnline fortnightly. Most recently, Honkai Impact 3rd was updated on September 25, 2026 and SwordArtOnline on September 24, 2026.

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