Comparison

HamsterBrow vs Basic Browser

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

Head to head
About

HamsterBrow

This app offers a unique web browsing experience by allowing users to scroll pages using device tilt or screen swipes, controlled by a virtual hamster. It's ideal for hands-free reading, note-taking, or when physical interaction with the screen is difficult.

Highlights
  • Tilt-to-run scrolling
  • Swipe-to-run scrolling
  • Super-smooth 60fps scrolling
  • Customizable hamster cursor and feedback
  • Offline file saving (Pro)
  • iCloud sync (Pro)
  • Choice of virtual pets (Pro)
Features
Read full description

A fully-featured web browser with advanced hamster-assisted auto-scrolling capabilities. Free your fingers and unleash hamster-power to scroll the browser, so you don’t have to! Particularly useful when you’re… … unable to swipe due to sticky fingers or wet hands. … wearing gloves. … holding on to public transport. … eating or drinking. … holding or feeding a baby. … reading and taking notes. … skimming through long documents or webpages. … using a device with a cracked screen that won’t swipe. … unable to touch the screen after having a manicure. … hugging your partner. Or you’re just feeling too lazy to swipe! FEATURES ***** Tilt-to-run mode ***** • The hamster responds to the device angle and orientation to scroll the page in the direction and speed you require. • Browse in any position: Continue to read lying down or upside down! • Great for reading webpages and documents while resting your fingers. ***** Swipe-to-run mode ***** • Use screen swipes and the on-screen control panel to command your hamster. • Easily stop and start, change the scroll direction and speed or page through websites automatically. • Great for relaxing, hands-free reading and for taking notes. ***** Super-smooth scrolling ***** • Experience finely-tuned, beautifully fluid and responsive 60fps hamster-powered scrolling. (120fps on supported devices) ***** Fully customizable ***** • Enable the hamster cursor, sound and haptic feedback (on supported devices) for a complete hamster-powered experience. • De-hamstify the browser if you have an unusual aversion to hamsters or for a more professional feel. ***** Unlock Advanced Features ***** Purchase the HamsterBrow Pro upgrade for more advanced features: • Offline Files: Save webpage snapshots and documents for offline hamster-powered viewing. • iCloud Sync: Sync bookmarks, history and offline files between your devices. • Choose a pet: Power the browser with a cat, dog, chicken, dinosaur, llamacorn and more! ***** Accessibility Integration ***** • Enable the iOS Switch Control accessibility feature with the scroll control panel to allow fully-accessible switch-controlled scrolling of websites. Download for all your devices, relax and enjoy the unique HamsterBrowsing experience today!

About

Basic Browser

Features
Read full description

Download the new Basic Browser for your iPhone and iPad. Simple and Fast Browser. Enjoy! Features: • Tap to add or remove bookmark easily. • Request desktop, tablet or phone website. • Tap to zoom content.

Screenshots

HamsterBrow4 screens
Basic Browser3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Basic Browser at none against HamsterBrow's 1. Basic Browser also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs every 6 weeks). HamsterBrow's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (10.3 vs 17.0). On price 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. HamsterBrow sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Basic Browser asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

HamsterBrow ships an update every 6 weeks, Basic Browser every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
HamsterBrow versus Basic Browser: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHamsterBrowBasic Browser
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.7 (43 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews35.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings43 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksEvery 4 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS10.3 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size59 MB4 MB
Age rating17+17+
DeveloperChristopher TanKit Hoong Ngau

In-app purchases

1 purchases

HamsterBrow

One-time1
  • HamsterBrow Pro Upgrade$0.99
None

Basic Browser

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is HamsterBrow free?
HamsterBrow is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Basic Browser free?
Basic Browser is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do HamsterBrow or Basic Browser have ads?
Basic Browser shows ads; HamsterBrow does not.
Which is updated more often, HamsterBrow or Basic Browser?
HamsterBrow ships an update every 6 weeks, and Basic Browser every 4 days. Most recently, HamsterBrow was updated on October 7, 2026 and Basic Browser on September 23, 2026.

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