Comparison

Power Grid Boardgame vs Smartivity Magico

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

Head to head
About

Power Grid Boardgame

Engage in a strategic simulation of the energy industry, managing power grids across diverse global maps. Challenge AI or friends in real-time or turn-based matches, with a comprehensive tutorial and helpful in-game assistance for all skill levels.

Highlights
  • Global energy market simulation
  • Multiple map variants for diverse gameplay
  • AI and real-time/turn-based multiplayer
  • In-depth tutorial and context-sensitive help
  • Achievement system for challenges
  • Includes Recharged version with variants
Features
Read full description

Dive into the world of the energy industry with the Power Grid app, designed by award-winning author Friedemann Friese. Global Domination: Conquer energy markets worldwide on maps such as USA, Germany, France, Benelux, Eastern Europe, South Africa, Italy and the Middle East. Each map brings unique gameplay that will put your strategic skills to the test. Tutorial & Help: Whether you're an experienced Power Grid player or a beginner, the game features a detailed tutorial that walks you through the basics step-by-step. And if you have any questions while playing, context-sensitive help is available to make sure you're always on the right track. Achievements: Challenge yourself by unlocking a variety of achievements. These achievements range from strategic feats to special challenges. Recharged Version: The app includes the Recharged version with Against the Trust and MAGA variants that make the gameplay even more diverse and challenging. Exciting Gameplay: Challenge AI opponents or play against friends in real-time or turn-based. Online Domination: The Power Grid app allows you to compete against friends or rivals from around the world. The app gives you the opportunity to compete with players from all over the world. Choose your path: a variety of maps and map variants are available to customize and refine your strategy. Adapt to the specifics of each and outsmart your opponents to get to the top of the power industry. The Power Grid app has been carefully designed to seamlessly bring the charm of the board game to your smartphone or tablet. The intuitive interface ensures a smooth gaming experience for both experienced players and novices. Don't miss out on the electrifying fun and challenges offered by the Power Grid app! Download the app now and embark on a journey to conquer the power market one move at a time. Whether you're playing alone and looking for a challenge or you're a player looking to engage in epic duels with friends, the Power Grid app offers all that and more.

About

Smartivity Magico

Features
Read full description

IMPORTANT: This is a FREE companion app for Smartivity Magico activity. This app requires Magico Stand and Letter, Number, and Shape Tiles. It will NOT WORK without the Magico set. Smartivity Magico is available on www.smartivity.com , www.amazon.in and various retailers such as Hamley's etc. Magico is an educational and fun app which presents the child with basics of Maths, Spellings, and Shapes in the form of engaging games and activities. Transform your smartphone into a powerful educational tool for your child and elevate the passive screen-time to constructive, learning time. The games and activities included in the app are- 1. Number recognition. 2. Addition. 3. Letter recognition. 4. Spellings. 5. Shape recognition. 6. Shape identification. 7. Colour recognition. HOW DOES IT WORK? Magico blends cutting edge Computer Vision technology with sensory play to deliver a magical, mind-body engagement-focussed experience that next generation demands and deserves. Place your smartphone on the Magico stand and open the app. The app presents a series of games and activities which your child can interact with, using the tiles provided in the box. Different tiles are provided for different activities which are recognised by the app. This is AI driven learning at its best, just like having your personal AI tutor. It's magic! Intuitive sounds, visuals and a kid friendly interface make sure that your child finds it easy to browse through the app. HOW TO USE IT? 1. Assemble the Magico stand. 2. Install the Magico app on your smartphone. 3. Give the permissions to the app by tapping the ‘ALLOW’ button. 4. Place your Smartphone on the Magico stand. 5. Slide the Magico Hat onto the stand. 6. Tap any game to launch it. 7. Place the appropriate tiles on the white area of the board to play. 8. If the answer is correct, the next activity will appear. Else, the app will ask you to answer correctly. TIPS: 1. Ensure that the Tiles are placed in the Play Area (white coloured area) only. 2. Ensure that the Magico Hat is placed in such a way that it rests snugly and straight on top of your smartphone. 3. Ensure that the lighting is appropriate and the surroundings are well lit. 4. Make sure that you update the app regularly. Keep the play area neat and clean. HAVE FUN!

Screenshots

Power Grid Boardgame4 screens
Smartivity Magico4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Smartivity Magico at Free against Power Grid Boardgame's $8.99. Smartivity Magico also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and iOS requirement (8.0 vs 15.6). Power Grid Boardgame's advantage is update cadence (monthly vs every 3 months). On ads 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

Smartivity Magico is free to download; Power Grid Boardgame costs $8.99 up front. Power Grid Boardgame sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Smartivity Magico asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Power Grid Boardgame ships an update monthly, Smartivity Magico every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on November 4, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Power Grid Boardgame versus Smartivity Magico: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPower Grid BoardgameSmartivity Magico
Price$8.99Free — better
Rating2.5 (26 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews32.6% of reviews—
Number of ratings26 — better—
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationPaid—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.68.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size141 MB323 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperBrettspielWeltSmartivity

Bugs and requests

Power Grid Boardgame

Reported bugs

47 issues
  • Achievements disappear
  • Cannot build houses
  • Game cards difficult to recall when minimized
  • Movable mini-window UI is buggy
  • Requires force restart
Show 42 more
  • Automatic next action clipboard issues
  • BeNeLux 5th ecoplant "extended market" doesn't work
  • Blocks PiP and Music player
  • Game crashes when starting
  • Cannot return to saved games
  • UI broken, unplayable
  • Unresponsive menus and interface
  • Does not progress or explain rules
  • AI is buggy (invisible buildings/powerplants)
  • Fatal bug: cannot overbid in auction
  • Separate save system, no iCloud syncing
  • Info board scaling and drag broken
  • Game doesn't work, crashes on start
  • Cannot confirm city choice
  • Unstable UI, can lose map display
  • Crashes in phase III of online games
  • Online play unstable
  • Doesn't work half the time
  • Cannot resume saved local game
  • Cannot edit local profile name
  • Crashes randomly when starting game
  • AI players do funny things
  • Power plant auction window not displayed
  • Bugs fixed, but still issues
  • Gameplay is awful
  • GUI is non-standard but intuitive
  • Initial screen in German
  • Crashing issues resolved, but UI irritating
  • No music or sound effects during game
  • Poor instructions
  • Third player when selecting 2 player game
  • Tutorial is limited
  • App crashes when accessing help
  • Crashes frequently
  • Parts in English and German
  • Lost games
  • Screens flash, unclear round/phase
  • Crashes after pressing help
  • Cannot reload game
  • No games in online lobbies
  • Untranslated German text in menus
  • Online connection not available

Requested features

7 requests
  • Add a proper tutorial for gameplay
  • Include music and sound effects during gameplay
  • Allow saving and resuming local games
  • Enable editing of local profile names
  • Add iCloud syncing for save games
Show 2 more
  • Improve UI dismiss functionality
  • Add a clear indicator for round/phase

Smartivity Magico

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Power Grid Boardgame

One-time1
  • 1. Expansion$5.99
None

Smartivity Magico

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Power Grid Boardgame free?
Power Grid Boardgame costs $8.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is Smartivity Magico free?
Smartivity Magico is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Power Grid Boardgame or Smartivity Magico have ads?
Neither Power Grid Boardgame nor Smartivity Magico shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Power Grid Boardgame or Smartivity Magico?
Power Grid Boardgame ships an update monthly, and Smartivity Magico every 3 months. Most recently, Power Grid Boardgame was updated on November 4, 2026 and Smartivity Magico on October 29, 2026.

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