# Golf Rival vs Ultimate 8 Ball Pool

Golf Rival and Ultimate 8 Ball Pool both sit at 4.5 stars, but that hides the real split: 57% of Ultimate 8 Ball Pool's written reviews are positive against 38% of Golf Rival's. Ultimate 8 Ball Pool also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). Golf Rival's advantage is ratings volume (155K vs 7.9K) and chart position (#9 vs #92). On price, rating, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Golf Rival sells 10 one-off in-app purchases and Ultimate 8 Ball Pool sells 20 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.5 for Golf Rival against 4.6 for Ultimate 8 Ball Pool. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Golf Rival has 155K ratings behind it against 7.9K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 38% of Golf Rival's written reviews are positive against 57% of Ultimate 8 Ball Pool's.

Golf Rival ships an update every 9 days, Ultimate 8 Ball Pool every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 26, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Golf Rival | Ultimate 8 Ball Pool |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.5 (155K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/golf-rival-multiplayer-game/id1354796403/reviews) | **[4.6 (7.9K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ultimate-8-ball-pool/id1589311166/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **155K** | 7.9K |
| Positive reviews | 37.8% of reviews | **57.2% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 9 days** | Every 10 days |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#9** | #92 |
| Size | 363 MB | 539 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Zynga Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/295913422) | [HypGames, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1196525859) |

## What reviewers say

### Golf Rival

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/golf-rival-multiplayer-game/id1354796403)

**Currently charting:** #9 Top Grossing · Sports, #23 Top Grossing · Simulation, #43 Top Free · Sports, #134 Top Free · Simulation, #183 Top Grossing · Games (US App Store)

Compete in real-time multiplayer golf battles, showcasing your skills on over 300 courses. Collect powerful clubs and balls to outwit opponents and climb leaderboards. Enjoy various game modes, from 1v1 duels to tournaments, and improve your golf game with every match.

**Highlights:** Real-time multiplayer PvP golf, Over 300 courses and 20+ themes, Collect golf clubs and balls, Tournament mode, Play with friends, Unlock new challenges and rewards

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| PIGGY_BANK | $2.99 | one-time |
| Save Streak | $2.99 | one-time |
| BIG PILE OF DIAMONDS | $4.99 | one-time |
| Arena Big Deal | $4.99 | one-time |
| CHALLENGE PASS | $4.99 | one-time |
| FULL BAG OF DIAMONDS | $9.99 | one-time |
| Arena Super Deal | $9.99 | one-time |
| CLUB OFFER 1 | $9.99 | one-time |
| FULL CHEST OF DIAMONDS | $19.99 | one-time |
| Arena Amazing Deal | $19.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fun and addictive game
- 👍 No ads
- 💡 Variety of game modes
- 👍 Progression without paying

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔒 Unfair matchmaking against higher-level players
- 💰 Pay-to-win mechanics
- 🐛 Inconsistent wind and ball physics
- 🔒 Difficulty upgrading preferred clubs
- 🔒 Putting is too easy

**Reported bugs**

- Frequent disconnections and sync issues
- Glitches with shot trajectories
- Disappearing in-app purchases

**Requested features**

- More diverse course selection
- Fairer matchmaking system
- Ability to replay unlocked levels
- Improved club upgrade system
- More challenging putting


### Ultimate 8 Ball Pool

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ultimate-8-ball-pool/id1589311166)

**Currently charting:** #92 Top Grossing · Sports (US App Store)

Experience realistic 8 Ball Pool with stunning 3D graphics and accurate physics. Compete against players worldwide in head-to-head matches, tournaments, or solo challenges. Customize your gear and master trick shots for an authentic billiards experience.

**Highlights:** Full 3D graphics with zoom, Multiplayer head-to-head battles, Daily tournament challenges, Pool Royale mode, Realistic physics engine, Trickshot challenges, Collectible gear and tables

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (20)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Starter Pack | $0.99 | one-time |
| Energy Bonus Pack | $0.99 | one-time |
| Pack of 75 Cash | $0.99 | one-time |
| Energy Value Pack | $0.99 | one-time |
| Point Boost Refill | $0.99 | one-time |
| Ultimate Shot Pack | $1.99 | one-time |
| Point Boost Refill | $2.99 | one-time |
| Energy Premium Pack | $3.99 | one-time |
| Energy Bonus Plus Pack | $3.99 | one-time |
| Pack of 500 Cash | $4.99 | one-time |
| Recovery Pack - Medium | $4.99 | one-time |
| Value Pack | $4.99 | one-time |
| Mega Sale | $9.99 | one-time |
| Pack of 1,250 Cash | $9.99 | one-time |
| Bonus Pack | $9.99 | one-time |
| Bonus Pack | $14.99 | one-time |
| Ultimate Pass | $19.99 | one-time |
| Energy Ultimate Pack | $19.99 | one-time |
| Bonus Plus Pack | $24.99 | one-time |
| Ultimate Pass Bundle | $24.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🎮 Great and variety of formats
- 🔥 Awesome game
- 🤩 Best game
- 👍 Cool way to enjoy pool
- 🔍 Realistic gameplay

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🤖 Many bots and fake players
- 💰 Pay-to-win mechanics
- 🕰️ Rushed gameplay and short timer
- 🤑 Expensive in-app purchases
- 🐛 Bugs, glitches, and technical issues

**Reported bugs**

- Accounts randomly deleted or lost
- Inability to log in or access account
- Freezing or crashing during tournaments
- Incorrect tournament leaderboard results
- Inability to break or make shots consistently

**Requested features**

- Add 9-ball mode
- Improve customer support response
- Implement a solo practice mode
- Allow opening multiple cases at once
- Add a plain cue ball-only mode


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Golf Rival free?

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

### Is Ultimate 8 Ball Pool free?

Ultimate 8 Ball Pool is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Golf Rival or Ultimate 8 Ball Pool?

Ultimate 8 Ball Pool is rated higher. Golf Rival averages 4.5 out of 5 from 155K ratings, while Ultimate 8 Ball Pool averages 4.6 from 7.9K ratings.

### Do Golf Rival or Ultimate 8 Ball Pool have ads?

Both Golf Rival and Ultimate 8 Ball Pool show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Golf Rival or Ultimate 8 Ball Pool?

Golf Rival ships an update every 9 days, and Ultimate 8 Ball Pool every 10 days. Most recently, Golf Rival was updated on September 25, 2026 and Ultimate 8 Ball Pool on September 26, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Golf Rival or Ultimate 8 Ball Pool?

Golf Rival currently peaks at #9 in the App Store charts, and Ultimate 8 Ball Pool at #92. 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.*