# HardBack vs Similo

The clearest difference is rating: Similo at 4.5 against HardBack's 3.8. Similo also leads on price ($1.99 vs $4.99). HardBack's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 6) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 6 weeks). On review sentiment, ratings volume, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

HardBack costs $4.99 and Similo $1.99 up front. Similo sells 6 one-off in-app purchases. HardBack asks for nothing beyond the download.

Similo holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 40 and 26 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 54% of HardBack's written reviews are positive against 47% of Similo'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, Similo every 6 weeks. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | HardBack | Similo |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $4.99 | **$1.99** |
| Rating | [3.8 (40 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hardback/id1377791842/reviews) | **[4.5 (26 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/similo-the-card-game/id1512015829/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **40** | 26 |
| Positive reviews | **53.7% of reviews** | 47.4% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 weeks** | Every 6 weeks |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 281 MB | 255 MB |
| Requires iOS | **9.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 9+ |
| Developer | [Fowers Games Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1131388980) | [Horrible Guild](https://appshunter.io/developer/1460296043) |

## 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


### Similo

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/similo-the-card-game/id1512015829)

A cooperative card game where players work together to guess a secret card by giving and interpreting clues. It offers both local and online multiplayer modes for a social deduction experience.

**Highlights:** Cooperative social deduction gameplay, Online and local multiplayer modes, Illustrated by Naïade, Multiple themed card decks available, Combine card decks for expanded play, Intuitive clue-giving and guessing mechanics

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

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Similo: History | $1.99 | one-time |
| Similo: Fables | $1.99 | one-time |
| Similo: Spookies | $1.99 | one-time |
| Similo: Myths | $1.99 | one-time |
| Similo: Wild Animals | $1.99 | one-time |
| Similo Epic Bundle | $3.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is HardBack free?

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

### Is Similo free?

Similo costs $1.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, HardBack or Similo?

Similo is rated higher. HardBack averages 3.8 out of 5 from 40 ratings, while Similo averages 4.5 from 26 ratings.

### Do HardBack or Similo have ads?

Neither HardBack nor Similo shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, HardBack or Similo?

HardBack ships an update every 2 weeks, and Similo every 6 weeks. Most recently, HardBack was updated on October 24, 2026 and Similo 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.*