# Idle Alchemy Transmutation Lab vs Critical

Idle Alchemy Transmutation Lab and Critical both sit at 4.5 stars, but that hides the real split: 68% of Idle Alchemy Transmutation Lab's written reviews are positive against 18% of Critical's. Critical's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 7 months). On price, rating, ratings volume and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Idle Alchemy Transmutation Lab sells 4 one-off in-app purchases and Critical sells 17 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.5 for Idle Alchemy Transmutation Lab against 4.4 for Critical. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 104 and 125 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 68% of Idle Alchemy Transmutation Lab's written reviews are positive against 18% of Critical's.

Idle Alchemy Transmutation Lab ships an update every 7 months, Critical fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Idle Alchemy Transmutation Lab | Critical |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.5 (104 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/idle-alchemy-transmutation-lab/id1475150795/reviews)** | [4.4 (125 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/critical-incremental-reactor/id6446354857/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 104 | **125** |
| Positive reviews | **67.9% of reviews** | 18.2% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 7 months | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 30 MB | 99 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 12.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Alexey Izvalov](https://appshunter.io/developer/1437172357) | [WaffleStack Studio LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1523413949) |

## What reviewers say

### Idle Alchemy Transmutation Lab

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/idle-alchemy-transmutation-lab/id1475150795)

Become a medieval alchemist and discover new elements starting with air. Combine elements to upgrade your lab, create worlds, and complete planet quests. Enjoy hours of fun with unique elements and animations.

**Highlights:** Discover 19 unique elements, Upgrade transmutation power, Create your own world, Complete 36 planet quests, Enjoy nice animations, Receive weekly rewards

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

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Reservoirs booster | $1.99 | one-time |
| Bonuses boost | $2.99 | one-time |
| Flow booster | $3.99 | one-time |
| No Ads + upgrades 2x cheaper | $5.99 | one-time |


### Critical

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/critical-incremental-reactor/id6446354857)

Manage a reactor to prevent it from becoming critical by delivering water. Earn money over time to unlock permanent upgrades and improve your survival capabilities. Invest wisely to extend your runs and uncover secrets.

**Highlights:** Reactor management, Incremental income generation, Permanent upgrades, Research and secrets, Survival gameplay

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (17)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 100 Gems | $2.99 | one-time |
| 100 Gems | $4.99 | one-time |
| Remove Ads | $7.99 | one-time |
| 225 Gems | $7.99 | one-time |
| Starter Pack | $9.99 | one-time |
| Remove All Ads | $9.99 | one-time |
| 225 Gems | $9.99 | one-time |
| 500 Gems | $9.99 | one-time |
| Pro Pack | $9.99 | one-time |
| Pro Pack | $14.99 | one-time |
| New Player Sale | $14.99 | one-time |
| 500 Gems | $14.99 | one-time |
| 1400 Gems | $19.99 | one-time |
| 800 Gems | $19.99 | one-time |
| 1400 Gems | $29.99 | one-time |
| 3000 Gems | $29.99 | one-time |
| 3000 Gems | $39.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Idle Alchemy Transmutation Lab free?

Idle Alchemy Transmutation Lab is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Critical free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Idle Alchemy Transmutation Lab or Critical?

Idle Alchemy Transmutation Lab is rated higher. Idle Alchemy Transmutation Lab averages 4.5 out of 5 from 104 ratings, while Critical averages 4.4 from 125 ratings.

### Do Idle Alchemy Transmutation Lab or Critical have ads?

Both Idle Alchemy Transmutation Lab and Critical show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Idle Alchemy Transmutation Lab or Critical?

Idle Alchemy Transmutation Lab ships an update every 7 months, and Critical fortnightly. Most recently, Idle Alchemy Transmutation Lab was updated on October 14, 2026 and Critical on October 13, 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.*