# Backbone vs Slapp

The clearest difference is ads: Backbone at none against Slapp's shown. Backbone also leads on ratings volume (102K vs 8) and chart position (#64 vs unranked). Slapp's advantage is monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases) and update cadence (weekly vs every 3 weeks). On price, rating, review sentiment and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Backbone sells 14 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month and Slapp sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Slapp holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Backbone has 102K ratings behind it against 8, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 51% of Backbone's written reviews are positive against 50% of Slapp's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Backbone ships an update every 3 weeks, Slapp weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 27, 2026 and October 22, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Backbone | Slapp |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.8 (102K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backbone-next-level-play/id1449660663/reviews) | **[5.0 (8 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/slapp-islenskt-samfelag/id6756019082/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **102K** | 8 |
| Positive reviews | **51.1% of reviews** | 50.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | **#64** | — |
| Size | 422 MB | 65 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **15.1** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 12+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Backbone Labs, Inc. (US)](https://appshunter.io/developer/1449660662) | [Vestra AI ehf.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1857995200) |

## What reviewers say

### Backbone

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backbone-next-level-play/id1449660663)

**Currently charting:** #64 Top Grossing · Social Networking, #147 Top Free · Social Networking (US App Store)

Transform your iPhone or iPad into a powerful gaming console. Play a wide range of games and services, record and share epic gameplay moments, and connect with friends for seamless multiplayer experiences. Discover and launch your favorite controller-supported games from a single app.

**Highlights:** Play any game or service supporting controllers, Record, edit, and share gameplay clips, Automatic highlight detection, Friend notifications and in-app voice chat, Centralized game launcher

**Features:** Game Controller support

**In-app purchases (14)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Backbone+ | $3.99 | per month |
| Backbone+ | $3.99 | per month |
| Backbone+ | $7.99 | per month |
| Backbone+ | $29.99 | per year |
| Backbone+ | $29.99 | per year |
| Backbone+ | $39.99 | per year |
| Backbone+ | $39.99 | per year |
| Backbone+ | $39.99 | per year |
| Backbone+ | $39.99 | per year |
| Backbone+ | $39.99 | per year |
| Backbone+ | $39.99 | per year |
| Backbone+ 4 | $39.99 | per year |
| Backbone+ | $49.99 | per year |
| Backbone+ | $49.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Great gaming experience
- 👍 Seamless integration with app
- 🎮 Feels like a dedicated gaming device
- 💡 Turns phone into a portable console
- 🎨 Sleek and premium design

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Expensive subscription
- 🔒 Locked features behind paywall
- 🔌 Requires removing phone case
- 🎮 Ergonomics not ideal for all games
- 🐛 Connectivity issues and bugs

**Reported bugs**

- Random disconnections during gameplay
- App crashes and freezes
- Issues with controller button mapping
- Incompatibility with certain games

**Requested features**

- Allow use without subscription
- Add more customization options
- Improve compatibility with various phone models
- Integrate with more cloud gaming services


### Slapp

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/slapp-islenskt-samfelag/id6756019082)

A new Icelandic social media platform focused on authentic connections. It uses electronic identification for all users, ensuring a community of real people without bots or fake accounts. Enjoy a clean, ad-free experience designed for genuine interaction.

**Highlights:** Verified user accounts via electronic ID, Ad-free social networking experience, News feed for friends and family updates, Group creation and participation, Direct messaging, Developed in Iceland

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

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Slapp+ mánaðaráskrift | $9.99 | per month |
| Slapp+ mánaðaráskrift | $12.99 | per month |
| Slapp+ ársáskrift | $79.99 | per year |
| Slapp+ ársáskrift | $99.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Backbone free?

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

### Is Slapp free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Backbone or Slapp?

Slapp is rated higher. Backbone averages 4.8 out of 5 from 102K ratings, while Slapp averages 5.0 from 8 ratings.

### Do Backbone or Slapp have ads?

Slapp shows ads; Backbone does not.

### Which is updated more often, Backbone or Slapp?

Backbone ships an update every 3 weeks, and Slapp weekly. Most recently, Backbone was updated on October 27, 2026 and Slapp on October 22, 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.*