# SwordArtOnline vs Solo Leveling

The clearest difference is review sentiment: SwordArtOnline at 69% against Solo Leveling's 46%. SwordArtOnline also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). Solo Leveling's advantage is rating (4.7 vs 4.4) and chart position (#67 vs unranked). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. SwordArtOnline sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $8.99 per month and Solo Leveling sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Solo Leveling holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 12K and 59K respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 69% of SwordArtOnline's written reviews are positive against 46% of Solo Leveling's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

SwordArtOnline ships an update fortnightly, Solo Leveling monthly. Both last shipped on November 5, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | SwordArtOnline | Solo Leveling |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.4 (12K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/swordartonline-integralfactor/id1347075404/reviews) | **[4.7 (59K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/solo-levelingarise/id1662742277/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 12K | **59K** |
| Positive reviews | **68.9% of reviews** | 46.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Monthly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | **#67** |
| Size | 391 MB | 300 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 12+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/352305770) | [Netmarble Corporation](https://appshunter.io/developer/930364579) |

## What reviewers say

### SwordArtOnline

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/swordartonline-integralfactor/id1347075404)

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

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Boost Mode | $8.99 | per month |
| Arcanagem A | $0.99 | one-time |
| Arcanagem B | $3.99 | one-time |
| 1H Sword Rookie's Pack | $3.99 | one-time |
| Arcanagem C | $7.99 | one-time |
| Arcana Gem Pack | $7.99 | one-time |
| Arcanagem D | $12.99 | one-time |
| Arcanagem E | $26.99 | one-time |
| Arcanagem F | $39.99 | one-time |
| Arcanagem G | $79.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

- 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**

- Controller support
- Ability to change partner character's appearance
- In-game trading system
- Player-vs-player (PvP) mode
- More diverse weapon and skill options


### Solo Leveling

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/solo-levelingarise/id1662742277)

**Currently charting:** #67 Top Grossing · Action, #68 Top Free · Role Playing, #93 Top Grossing · Role Playing, #134 Top Free · Action (US App Store)

Experience the epic webtoon's story as the weakest hunter rises to become the world's strongest. Engage in strategic combat with swappable skills and equipment, recruit an army of shadow soldiers, and challenge powerful bosses in various game modes. New story chapters and content are continuously added.

**Highlights:** Webtoon story adaptation, Strategic combat with swappable skills, Play as original webtoon hunters, Recruit shadow soldier army, Challenge dungeons and bosses, New story chapters and content

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| H.A. Premium Sub Ticket | $9.99 | per month |
| Daily Draw Ticket Pack | $0.99 | one-time |
| Daily Basic Growth Pack | $0.99 | one-time |
| Rate Up Draw Special Offer | $1.99 | one-time |
| New_Daily Essence Stones Boost | $3.99 | one-time |
| Daily Diamond Bonus Pack | $3.99 | one-time |
| Daily Essence Stone Support | $6.99 | one-time |
| Daily Growth Support | $6.99 | one-time |
| Daily Growth Support | $7.99 | one-time |
| Deluxe Hunter Pass | $18.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Smooth combat and animations
- 🎨 Faithful adaptation of the source material
- 🎮 Engaging gameplay mechanics
- 💎 Generous rewards for free-to-play players

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and freezes
- ⏱️ Excessive loading times between menus
- 💰 Overwhelming number of microtransactions
- 🤖 Weak AI companions

**Reported bugs**

- Inability to download patch file
- Crashes during boss fights and time-limited challenges
- Progression blockers due to level caps
- Inconsistent target locking and skill registration

**Requested features**

- Improved network optimization
- Customizable controls and camera
- More offline progression options
- Guild/co-op features


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SwordArtOnline free?

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

### Is Solo Leveling free?

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

### Which has better reviews, SwordArtOnline or Solo Leveling?

Solo Leveling is rated higher. SwordArtOnline averages 4.4 out of 5 from 12K ratings, while Solo Leveling averages 4.7 from 59K ratings.

### Do SwordArtOnline or Solo Leveling have ads?

Neither SwordArtOnline nor Solo Leveling shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, SwordArtOnline or Solo Leveling?

SwordArtOnline ships an update fortnightly, and Solo Leveling monthly. Most recently, SwordArtOnline was updated on November 5, 2026 and Solo Leveling on November 5, 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.*