# Hexicon vs Ark Nova

The clearest difference is price: Hexicon at Free against Ark Nova's $10.99. Hexicon also leads on iOS requirement (9.0 vs 15.0). Ark Nova's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and ratings volume (1.2K vs 13). On update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Hexicon is free to download; Ark Nova costs $10.99 up front. Hexicon sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Ark Nova asks for nothing beyond the download.

Ark Nova holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Ark Nova has 1.2K ratings behind it against 13, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 50% of Hexicon's written reviews are positive against 72% of Ark Nova's.

Hexicon ships an update every 9 days, Ark Nova every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on August 23, 2026 and September 27, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Hexicon | Ark Nova |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $10.99 |
| Rating | [4.5 (13 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hexicon-word-game/id1462065373/reviews) | **[4.8 (1.2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ark-nova/id6449233549/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 13 | **1.2K** |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews | **72.4% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 9 days** | Every 2 weeks |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Paid |
| Best chart rank | — | **#41** |
| Size | 55 MB | 682 MB |
| Requires iOS | **9.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Spiralburst Studio, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1253795262) | [Dire Wolf Digital](https://appshunter.io/developer/815343758) |

## What reviewers say

### Hexicon

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hexicon-word-game/id1462065373)

A multiplayer word game where strategy and territory control are key. Players take turns forming words to capture hexagon tiles, with the longest word not always being the optimal move. Offers online play, AI opponents, and daily challenges.

**Highlights:** Online multiplayer, Challenging AI opponents, Daily Challenges, Customizable Tile Colors, Unlockable Icons, Achievements, Leaderboards

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

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 500 Coins | $0.99 | one-time |
| 1100 Coins | $1.99 | one-time |
| 1800 Coins | $2.99 | one-time |
| Remove Ads | $4.99 | one-time |


### Ark Nova

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ark-nova/id6449233549)

**Currently charting:** #41 Top Paid · Board, #122 Top Paid · Strategy (US App Store)

Design and manage a modern zoo to support global conservation efforts. Build enclosures, house animals, and utilize unique cards for special abilities. Compete to create the most successful zoological establishment.

**Highlights:** Plan and design a modern zoo, Build enclosures and accommodate animals, Support global conservation projects, Utilize 255 unique cards (animals, specialists, projects), Upgrade action cards for gameplay, Increase zoo appeal and scientific reputation

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Great implementation overall
- 👍 Lots of fun
- 👍 Good animations
- 👍 Choice of modes
- 👍 Clean, modern and enjoyable design

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Tile placement/rotation issues on iPad
- 🐛 Building placement UI issues
- 👎 Difficult to read board state on mobile
- 👎 Lack of simultaneous view for key game info
- 👎 Cumbersome to create games with friends

**Reported bugs**

- iPad Flash exit issue
- Rewards screen being blocked by other UI elements

**Requested features**

- Option to enable larger UI buttons for modal panels
- Full screen mode
- Option to reverse zoom direction
- Improved card readability/zoom


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Hexicon free?

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

### Is Ark Nova free?

Ark Nova costs $10.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Hexicon or Ark Nova?

Ark Nova is rated higher. Hexicon averages 4.5 out of 5 from 13 ratings, while Ark Nova averages 4.8 from 1.2K ratings.

### Do Hexicon or Ark Nova have ads?

Neither Hexicon nor Ark Nova shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Hexicon or Ark Nova?

Hexicon ships an update every 9 days, and Ark Nova every 2 weeks. Most recently, Hexicon was updated on August 23, 2026 and Ark Nova on September 27, 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.*