# Cultist Simulator vs Monster Train

The clearest difference is update cadence: Monster Train at every 3 weeks against Cultist Simulator's every 2 months. Monster Train also leads on review sentiment (89% vs 73%). Cultist Simulator's advantage is price ($6.99 vs $7.99). On rating, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Cultist Simulator costs $6.99 and Monster Train $7.99 up front. Cultist Simulator sells 5 one-off in-app purchases and Monster Train sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Cultist Simulator against 4.9 for Monster Train. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4.3K and 1.8K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 73% of Cultist Simulator's written reviews are positive against 89% of Monster Train's.

Cultist Simulator ships an update every 2 months, Monster Train every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Cultist Simulator | Monster Train |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$6.99** | $7.99 |
| Rating | [4.8 (4.3K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cultist-simulator/id1439886655/reviews) | **[4.9 (1.8K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/monster-train/id1577392165/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **4.3K** | 1.8K |
| Positive reviews | 72.8% of reviews | **88.8% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Best chart rank | #25 | **#11** |
| Size | 331 MB | 533 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **14.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 12+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Playdigious](https://appshunter.io/developer/1041387229) | [Good Shepherd Entertainment](https://appshunter.io/developer/1019007074) |

## What reviewers say

### Cultist Simulator

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cultist-simulator/id1439886655)

**Currently charting:** #25 Top Paid · Card, #62 Top Paid · Role Playing (US App Store)

A challenging roguelike narrative card game where you play as a seeker of forbidden knowledge. Experiment with rituals, summon entities, and ascend to become a herald of a new age in a Lovecraftian 1920s setting.

**Highlights:** Challenging roguelike gameplay, Story-driven legacy system, Intense, immersive narrative, Choice-based storytelling, Lovecraftian world, Card combination mechanics

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| The Dancer | $1.99 | one-time |
| The Priest | $1.99 | one-time |
| The Ghoul | $1.99 | one-time |
| The Exile | $4.99 | one-time |
| Forbidden Bundle | $6.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🤯 Fascinating and mysterious
- 🎨 Beautiful atmosphere and writing
- 🕰️ Compelling time management gameplay
- 🕵️ Rewarding sense of discovery
- 💡 Unique and innovative concept

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🤯 Steep learning curve with no tutorial
- 🕰️ Intense time pressure and resource management
- 🧠 Confusing mechanics and unclear objectives
- 🧭 Frustrating lack of progress and repeated failures
- 🔍 Difficult to keep track of cards and game state

**Reported bugs**

- Occasional crashes and save file issues
- Disappearing cards and UI elements
- Inability to access certain features like the club

**Requested features**

- Add tutorial or in-game hints
- Provide more accessibility options for text size
- Implement save/load system to avoid losing progress
- Add DLC content like the Dancer storyline
- Improve card organization and UI layout


### Monster Train

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/monster-train/id1577392165)

**Currently charting:** #11 Top Paid · Card, #59 Top Paid · Strategy, #157 Top Paid · Games (US App Store)

Defend the last burning pyre from Heaven's forces in this strategic deckbuilding roguelike. Build unique decks with over 250 cards from five distinct monster clans, upgrade champions, and explore powerful locations to restore the Inferno. Enjoy ultimate replayability with daily and custom challenges.

**Highlights:** Unlock over 250 cards, 5 distinct Monster Clans, Upgrade powerful Champions, Explore powerful locations, Daily & Custom challenges, Includes Wild Mutations & Friends & Foes updates

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| The Last Divinity DLC | $3.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Outstanding soundtrack
- 🚀 Lots of discovery and relatability
- 👍 Great deck builder with deep mechanics
- 👍 Excellent value for money
- 👍 Addictive and replayable gameplay

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional issues with cloud saves and device switching
- 🐛 Difficulty targeting off-screen bosses on mobile
- 🐛 Finicky card selection and play controls
- 🔋 Can drain phone battery quickly

**Reported bugs**

- Cloud save issues causing lost progress
- Inability to target off-screen bosses
- Occasional crashes and performance issues

**Requested features**

- Ability to view deck during card selection
- Customizable UI and graphics options
- Swipe gestures for floor switching
- 60fps support


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Cultist Simulator free?

Cultist Simulator costs $6.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Is Monster Train free?

Monster Train costs $7.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Cultist Simulator or Monster Train?

Monster Train is rated higher. Cultist Simulator averages 4.8 out of 5 from 4.3K ratings, while Monster Train averages 4.9 from 1.8K ratings.

### Do Cultist Simulator or Monster Train have ads?

Neither Cultist Simulator nor Monster Train shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Cultist Simulator or Monster Train?

Cultist Simulator ships an update every 2 months, and Monster Train every 3 weeks. Most recently, Cultist Simulator was updated on November 2, 2026 and Monster Train on November 3, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Cultist Simulator or Monster Train?

Cultist Simulator currently peaks at #25 in the App Store charts, and Monster Train at #11. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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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.*