Comparison

Zero vs Trade Wars

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Zero

Features
Read full description

Zero-Sum is a complex macro-economics card game for multiple players. Each player runs a country and sets financial priorities, which are then played out on a global stage with or against the other players. A valid macro-economics model underpins the game, driven by the card choices of the players. Players can also alter the economic model to suit their beliefs or preferences. Players can choose to go for a competitive win (financial trade balance), or a “Economic Fairness” win (those in power are responsible for providing opportunity for those less fortunate — low unemployment and low wealth gap), or an “Industry” win, or a “Standard of Living” win (low cost of living with high consumer spend). Is it possible to achieve more than one? Play to win or play cooperatively to see how long you can keep every country solvent.

About

Trade Wars

Lead a global economic giant to expand its trading influence. This strategy game simulates economic dominance through market capture, innovation, and resource management. Compete to become a world leader in various industries.

Highlights
  • Global market capture
  • Economic strategy simulation
  • Industry leadership
  • International agreements
  • Technology and science development
  • Sanctions and trade policies
Features
Read full description

The wars of the 21st century are based on economic dominance and soft power. It no longer matters who has more tanks or guns. Innovation and economic growth rule the world. Lead one of the world's economic giants to spread your trading influence across the planet! Trade Wars is not only a realistic economic simulator, but also an exciting global strategy game. Capture the markets of all countries of the world with the goods of your country, winning the competition! At the moment, 9 industries are available to you, within which you can become a world leader. Don't get bankrupt, it's a trade war! - Make agreements with other countries - Keep track of inflation and unemployment - Develop technology and science - Collect taxes and build reserves - Increase the quality and reduce the cost of your products - Support your own production - Impose sanctions against other countries All this you can try out in a realistic strategy simulation Trade Wars to achieve the prosperity of your country!

Screenshots

Zero4 screens
Trade Wars4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Zero at none against Trade Wars's 10. Zero also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 2 days vs every 3 weeks). On price and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Trade Wars sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Zero asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Zero ships an update every 2 days, Trade Wars every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Zero versus Trade Wars: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterZeroTrade Wars
PriceFreeFree
Rating—2.9 (59 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—12.5% of reviews
Number of ratings—59 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 days — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Free with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS11.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size67 MB278 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperIdeateGamesPLUS GAMES

In-app purchases

None

Zero

No in-app purchases

10 purchases

Trade Wars

One-time10
  • No ads$0.99
  • Germany$2.99
  • China industries (ever added)$3.99
Show 7 more
  • USA industries (ever added)$3.99
  • Japan$3.99
  • India$3.99
  • China$4.99
  • All industries$6.99
  • All countries (ever added)$7.99
  • GENIUS PACK$19.99

Questions

Is Zero free?
Zero is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Trade Wars free?
Trade Wars is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Zero or Trade Wars have ads?
Trade Wars shows ads; Zero does not.
Which is updated more often, Zero or Trade Wars?
Zero ships an update every 2 days, and Trade Wars every 3 weeks. Most recently, Zero was updated on October 14, 2026 and Trade Wars on October 23, 2026.

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