# HardBack vs Fleet the Dice Game

The clearest difference is monetization model: HardBack at free against Fleet the Dice Game's paid. HardBack also leads on iOS requirement (9.0 vs 11.0). Fleet the Dice Game's advantage is rating (4.1 vs 3.8) and update cadence (every 5 days vs every 2 weeks). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume and ads there is nothing between them.

HardBack costs $4.99 and Fleet the Dice Game $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Fleet the Dice Game holds the better App Store score, 4.1 against 3.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 40 and 45 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 54% of HardBack's written reviews are positive against 50% of Fleet the Dice Game's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

HardBack ships an update every 2 weeks, Fleet the Dice Game every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | HardBack | Fleet the Dice Game |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $4.99 | $4.99 |
| Rating | [3.8 (40 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hardback/id1377791842/reviews) | **[4.1 (45 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fleet-the-dice-game/id1465017246/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 40 | **45** |
| Positive reviews | **53.7% of reviews** | 50.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | **Every 5 days** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Paid |
| Size | 281 MB | 175 MB |
| Requires iOS | **9.0** | 11.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Fowers Games Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1131388980) | [VHornet, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1126092347) |

## What reviewers say

### HardBack

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hardback/id1377791842)

Build a deck of letters to craft words and earn prestige in this unique word game. Specialize in genres, push your luck for extra cards, and race to become a celebrated 19th-century novelist. Challenge AI opponents or play with friends.

**Highlights:** Deck-building with letter cards, Genre specialization for bonuses, Push-your-luck card drawing, Hotseat and online multiplayer, AI opponents, Hardcore mode with no word repeats

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### Fleet the Dice Game

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fleet-the-dice-game/id1465017246)

Engage in a strategic dice game set in Ridback Bay. Players make meaningful decisions over 10 rounds, managing boat and town phases to catch fish and earn points. Features a solo mode against a challenging opponent.

**Highlights:** Strategic roll-and-write gameplay, Boat and Town phases, Dice selection mechanics, Unlock license powers and boat launches, Gain bonuses from Wharf buildings, Solo mode against Captain Ruth

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is HardBack free?

HardBack costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Fleet the Dice Game free?

Fleet the Dice Game costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, HardBack or Fleet the Dice Game?

Fleet the Dice Game is rated higher. HardBack averages 3.8 out of 5 from 40 ratings, while Fleet the Dice Game averages 4.1 from 45 ratings.

### Do HardBack or Fleet the Dice Game have ads?

Neither HardBack nor Fleet the Dice Game shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, HardBack or Fleet the Dice Game?

HardBack ships an update every 2 weeks, and Fleet the Dice Game every 5 days. Most recently, HardBack was updated on October 26, 2026 and Fleet the Dice Game on October 24, 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.*