# Idle Tropic Empire vs Pixel This

The clearest difference is rating: Idle Tropic Empire at 4.6 against Pixel This's 3.0. Idle Tropic Empire also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 4 days vs every 2 months). Pixel This's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 10). On price and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Idle Tropic Empire sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Pixel This asks for nothing beyond the download.

Idle Tropic Empire holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Idle Tropic Empire has 118 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Idle Tropic Empire ships an update every 4 days, Pixel This every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Idle Tropic Empire | Pixel This |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.6 (118 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/idle-tropic-empire/id1435134310/reviews)** | [3.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pixel-this/id6443699377/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **118** | 2 |
| Positive reviews | 28.6% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 4 days** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Ad-supported** |
| Size | 137 MB | 184 MB |
| Requires iOS | **10.0** | 13.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Empires Not Vampires](https://appshunter.io/developer/1435134309) | [Full Fat Productions Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/374306144) |

## What reviewers say

### Idle Tropic Empire

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/idle-tropic-empire/id1435134310)

Build and manage a tropical island empire in this idle tycoon game. Explore new islands, recruit survivors, and automate resource production to become the richest survivor. Enjoy a unique storyline with engaging characters.

**Highlights:** Build and upgrade buildings, Gain idle resources offline, Level up survivors for production boosts, Explore new islands, Automate and optimize production, Discover evolving storyline

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Stack of Gems | $1.99 | one-time |
| Donna Pack | $1.99 | one-time |
| Richie Pack | $1.99 | one-time |
| Worraps Pack | $4.99 | one-time |
| Barrel of Gems | $8.99 | one-time |
| Moose Pack | $8.99 | one-time |
| Boatful of Gems | $19.99 | one-time |
| Island of Gems | $29.99 | one-time |
| Ship of Gems | $49.99 | one-time |
| Ocean of Gems | $79.99 | one-time |


### Pixel This

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pixel-this/id6443699377)

Defend your base against a zombie horde by shooting them and turning them into pixels. Use these pixels to build defenses, upgrade weapons, and unlock new abilities to become the ultimate zombie slayer.

**Highlights:** Pixelate zombies and collect pixels, Build defenses and structures, Unlock and upgrade awesome guns, Fight boss zombies, Upgrade tools and skills, Free to play

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Idle Tropic Empire free?

Idle Tropic Empire is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Pixel This free?

Pixel This is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Idle Tropic Empire or Pixel This?

Idle Tropic Empire is rated higher. Idle Tropic Empire averages 4.6 out of 5 from 118 ratings, while Pixel This averages 3.0 from 2 ratings.

### Do Idle Tropic Empire or Pixel This have ads?

Pixel This shows ads; Idle Tropic Empire does not.

### Which is updated more often, Idle Tropic Empire or Pixel This?

Idle Tropic Empire ships an update every 4 days, and Pixel This every 2 months. Most recently, Idle Tropic Empire was updated on November 2, 2026 and Pixel This on November 3, 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.*