# GemJoy AR vs SmashUps

The clearest difference is rating: SmashUps at 4.8 against GemJoy AR's 3.4. SmashUps also leads on ratings volume (6.9K vs 11) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 8 months). GemJoy AR's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. SmashUps sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days. GemJoy AR asks for nothing beyond the download.

SmashUps holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SmashUps has 6.9K ratings behind it against 11, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 51% of GemJoy AR's written reviews are positive against 62% of SmashUps's.

GemJoy AR ships an update every 8 months, SmashUps every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on June 8, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | GemJoy AR | SmashUps |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.4 (11 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gemjoy-ar/id1345588447/reviews) | **[4.8 (6.9K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smashups/id1441317717/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 11 | **6.9K** |
| Positive reviews | 51.2% of reviews | **62.4% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 8 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 627 MB | 93 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **14.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Katie Vanderdrift](https://appshunter.io/developer/1345588446) | [AGCM, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/450545327) |

## What reviewers say

### GemJoy AR

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gemjoy-ar/id1345588447)

Experience a world where jewelry transforms into interactive augmented reality stories and mythical adventures. Hover your camera over special pieces to reveal magical creatures and engaging narratives, designed to spark wonder and delight users of all ages.

**Highlights:** Augmented reality magic, Interactive fantasy stories, Mythical creature animations, Wearable storybook experience, Precision marker tracking

**In-app purchases:** none


### SmashUps

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smashups/id1441317717)

Create and send personalized, funny videos featuring celebrity cameos or your own selfies. Add names, photos, and special interests to make unique greetings for any occasion. Share your creations via text, social media, or email.

**Highlights:** Personalized video creation, Celebrity cameos, Add selfies and custom messages, Personalize with names and photos, Share via text and social media, Wide range of occasions

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

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| SmashUps Weekly Membership | $1.99 | per 7 days |
| SmashUps Membership | $6.99 | per month |
| SmashUps Yearly Membership | $29.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Convenient and fun to use
- 😊 Brings joy to recipients
- 🎉 Hilarious and creative content

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent app crashes and glitches
- 🔍 Limited name selection
- 📚 Lack of new content and updates
- 🔍 Inability to customize names or add new ones

**Reported bugs**

- Videos not playing correctly after iOS 15 update
- Inability to share cards on social media platforms
- App freezing and crashing when trying to customize cards

**Requested features**

- Add more celebrity and character options
- Allow users to type in custom names
- Implement a history or tracking feature for sent cards
- Expand selection for anniversaries, get well, and other occasions


## Frequently asked questions

### Is GemJoy AR free?

GemJoy AR is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is SmashUps free?

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

### Which has better reviews, GemJoy AR or SmashUps?

SmashUps is rated higher. GemJoy AR averages 3.4 out of 5 from 11 ratings, while SmashUps averages 4.8 from 6.9K ratings.

### Do GemJoy AR or SmashUps have ads?

Neither GemJoy AR nor SmashUps shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, GemJoy AR or SmashUps?

GemJoy AR ships an update every 8 months, and SmashUps every 2 months. Most recently, GemJoy AR was updated on June 8, 2026 and SmashUps on September 25, 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.*