Comparison

PocketCrawler vs Idle Space Force

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

Head to head
About

PocketCrawler

Engage in a wave-based battle system where enemies possess unique skills you can acquire. Manage your equipment and skills through a simple inventory. Earn idle rewards even when the app is in the background and complete all missions.

Highlights
  • Idle rewards in background
  • Acquire unique enemy skills
  • Simple inventory system
  • Wave-based battle system
  • Mission accomplishment
Features
Read full description

Features: - You can get idle reward when the app is in background. - Accomplish all missions! - All enemies have unique skill which can be acquired. - Simple inventory for equipments and skills. - Wave type battle system. - DO NOT FIGHT WITH MERCHANT!

About

Idle Space Force

Command a retro spaceship in this incremental clicker game. Blast enemies, upgrade your ship, and explore planets to earn passive income. Enjoy classic shoot 'em up action with idle RPG mechanics.

Highlights
  • Incremental idle gameplay
  • Retro space shoot 'em up battles
  • Ship upgrades and prestige system
  • Offline income generation
  • Explore multiple unique worlds
  • Pixelated retro graphics
Features
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Take command of your ship in Idle Space Force! Blast your way through this retro incremental space shoot ‘em up, upgrade your ship, and travel to scenic and dangerous planets, collecting a passive income for your fleet! Idle Space Force is a retro idle tapper with the perfect blend of idle and RPG mechanics inspired by the classics like Space Invaders and Asteroids. Collect your ISF credits while offline and blast through seven unique worlds with classic shmup gameplay. Prestige your way through Deep Space upgrades and travel to never before seen worlds! Idle Gameplay Generate income as you cruise AFK or battle hordes of enemies through space! Your ship’s progress continues while offline, letting you pick up the action wherever you are in the universe. Action-Packed Battles Engage in intense pixelated retro space battles as you face relentless enemies from across the galaxy. With classic mechanics of the staple shoot ‘em up / shmup genre, you’ll be filling the screen with bombs and bees in a flash – battling enemy ships, enemy hornets, and enemy bosses. Gameplay inspired by 8 bit classics like Space Invaders and Asteroids. Upgrade Your Ship Kit out your ship with powerful upgrades and frontier technologies to unleash devastating firepower. Collect income like an idle game while offline, then add missiles, magnetism, and more to your vessel. Looking for even more firepower? Prestige your way to the ultimate unlocks and blast away the competition! Explore the Cosmos Vast worlds await you in the expanses of space. Uncover hidden treasures, acquire new upgrades and confront challenging bosses. From the outskirts of deep space to the remnants of the Terran homeworld, there are many unique challenges along the way. Addictive Experience With simple yet engaging gameplay mechanics, Idle Space Force offers endless entertainment for both casual players and hardcore enthusiasts alike. The mix of idle game mechanics and shoot 'em up action ensures that even when you’re not working – you’re always on the clock! Ready to conquer the cosmos? Download Idle Space Force now and embark on an epic retro idle shmup journey!

Screenshots

PocketCrawler4 screens
Idle Space Force4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Idle Space Force at 4.7 against PocketCrawler's 3.6. Idle Space Force also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 24 months) and ratings volume (550 vs 12). PocketCrawler's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (8.0 vs 18). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model 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. PocketCrawler sells 5 one-off in-app purchases and Idle Space Force sells 8 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Idle Space Force holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Idle Space Force has 550 ratings behind it against 12, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 57% of PocketCrawler's written reviews are positive against 71% of Idle Space Force's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PocketCrawler ships an update every 24 months, Idle Space Force every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 28, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
PocketCrawler versus Idle Space Force: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPocketCrawlerIdle Space Force
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.6 (12 ratings)4.7 (550 ratings) — better
Positive reviews57.1% of reviews71.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings12550 — better
Update frequencyEvery 24 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS8.0 — better18
Further details — not scored
Size122 MB137 MB
Age rating4+9+
DeveloperYoku TakahashiFuse Games

Customer experience

PocketCrawler

All ratings12 ratings
Positive58.3%
Neutral8.3%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews21 reviews
Positive57.1%
Neutral9.5%
Negative33.3%

Idle Space Force

All ratings550 ratings
Positive92.9%
Neutral3.1%
Negative4.0%
Written reviews80 reviews
Positive71.3%
Neutral11.3%
Negative17.5%

Bugs and requests

PocketCrawler

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Idle Space Force

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Crashes when trying to advance to next planet
  • Offline rewards not working properly
  • Forced flashing screen from power-up

Requested features

7 requests
  • Loot falling towards the ship
  • Seasonal item multipliers working on all items
  • Visibility of loot from invisible enemies
  • Hint system for clues
  • Faster bullet speed
Show 2 more
  • Earlier auto-fire/generation upgrades
  • More levels/content

In-app purchases

5 purchases

PocketCrawler

One-time5
  • 100 crystals$0.99
  • 400 crystals$3.99
  • 840 crystals$7.99
Show 2 more
  • 4400 crystals$39.99
  • 10000 crystals$79.99
8 purchases

Idle Space Force

One-time8
  • Star Coin Currency x100$1.99
  • Star Coin Currency x300$3.99
  • Remove Ads$6.99
Show 5 more
  • Prestige Pack$7.99
  • Starter Pack$9.99
  • Star Coin Currency x1000$10.99
  • Star Coin Currency x2500$19.99
  • Star Coin Currency x7500$49.99

Questions

Is PocketCrawler free?
PocketCrawler is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Idle Space Force free?
Idle Space Force is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, PocketCrawler or Idle Space Force?
Idle Space Force is rated higher. PocketCrawler averages 3.6 out of 5 from 12 ratings, while Idle Space Force averages 4.7 from 550 ratings.
Do PocketCrawler or Idle Space Force have ads?
Idle Space Force shows ads; PocketCrawler does not.
Which is updated more often, PocketCrawler or Idle Space Force?
PocketCrawler ships an update every 24 months, and Idle Space Force every 3 weeks. Most recently, PocketCrawler was updated on September 28, 2026 and Idle Space Force on October 12, 2026.

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