# GO FRIEND vs Simple Checkmate

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Simple Checkmate at none against GO FRIEND's 4. Simple Checkmate also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 3 months) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. GO FRIEND sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Simple Checkmate asks for nothing beyond the download.

GO FRIEND ships an update every 3 months, Simple Checkmate every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | GO FRIEND | Simple Checkmate |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.3 (984 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/go-friend/id1420003965/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **984** | — |
| Positive reviews | 49.6% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 17 MB | 117 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **12.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [takumi suzuki](https://appshunter.io/developer/1420003964) | [TechQiao Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1594308257) |

## What reviewers say

### GO FRIEND

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/go-friend/id1420003965)

Connect with trainers globally to participate in remote raid battles. Host raids by posting details and recruiting guests, or join worldwide raids by searching active invitations and sending friend requests.

**Highlights:** Find trainers for remote raids, Host raids by posting details, Recruit guest trainers, Search active worldwide raids, Join raids via invitations, Send friend requests

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

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 100 PLUGS (PREMIUM) | $0.99 | one-time |
| 550 PLUGS (PREMIUM) | $4.99 | one-time |
| 1100 PLUGS (PREMIUM) | $9.99 | one-time |
| 2200 PLUGS (PREMIUM) | $19.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast and convenient for raiding
- 🌍 Ability to raid globally
- 👥 Helps connect players for raids
- 🏆 Useful for getting rare/legendary Pokémon

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🕰️ Long wait times to join raids
- 💰 Expensive paid features (plugs)
- 🤖 Hosts not sending invites
- 🤯 Confusing rating system
- 🔒 Lack of transparency/communication from developers

**Reported bugs**

- Refreshing issues after hosting raids
- Inability to rate players after raids
- Randomly getting banned/locked out of app

**Requested features**

- Group chat functionality
- Better raid coordination tools
- Refund system for unused raid passes
- Improved anti-abuse measures


### Simple Checkmate

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simple-checkmate/id6738383817)

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is GO FRIEND free?

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

### Is Simple Checkmate free?

Simple Checkmate is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do GO FRIEND or Simple Checkmate have ads?

Both GO FRIEND and Simple Checkmate show ads.

### Which is updated more often, GO FRIEND or Simple Checkmate?

GO FRIEND ships an update every 3 months, and Simple Checkmate every 2 weeks. Most recently, GO FRIEND was updated on October 13, 2026 and Simple Checkmate on October 1, 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.*