Comparison

Pokémon HOME vs MasterDex

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

Head to head
About

Pokémon HOME

This app serves as a cloud-based hub for all your Pokémon, allowing you to manage, trade, and organize your collection. You can bring Pokémon from various core games and trade them globally, complete your Pokédex, and receive special gifts.

Highlights
  • Cloud-based Pokémon storage
  • Cross-game Pokémon transfer
  • Global Pokémon trading
  • National Pokédex completion
  • Mystery Gift reception
Read full description

Pokémon HOME is a cloud-based service, designed as a place where all of your Pokémon can gather. ▼ Manage your Pokémon! You can bring any Pokémon that has appeared in a core Pokémon game to Pokémon HOME. You can also bring certain Pokémon from Pokémon HOME for Nintendo Switch to any compatible video game titles. ▼ Trade Pokémon with players around the world! If you have a smart device, you’ll be able to trade Pokémon with players around the world anytime you want, anywhere you are. Enjoy different ways of trading, too, like the Wonder Box and GTS! ▼ Complete the National Pokédex! You’ll be able to complete your National Pokédex by bringing lots of Pokémon to Pokémon HOME. You’ll also be able to check out all the moves and Abilities your Pokémon have. ▼ Receive Mystery Gifts! You’ll be able to quickly and conveniently receive Mystery Gifts using your smart device! ■ Terms of Use Please read the Terms of Use before using this service. ■ Compatible Systems Pokémon HOME can be used on devices with the following OSes. iOS 16.0 and above NOTE: Please be aware that Pokémon HOME may not work on certain devices. ■ Questions Should you have any questions, please use the contact form found in Pokémon HOME. Questions submitted without using the contact form may take longer to be addressed.

About

MasterDex

This app serves as a comprehensive guide for fans and trainers, offering detailed information on creatures, team building, and the trading card game. It features offline access, advanced search, and tracking for favorite creatures and shinies, updated for the latest generation.

Highlights
  • Updated creature information
  • Team builder tool
  • Trading Card Game details
  • Offline functionality
  • Shiny creature tracker
  • Advanced search filters
Features
Read full description

Embark on an epic journey with MasterDex, the ultimate companion for all the fans and trainers. Key Features: ▶ Updated to Scarlet and Violet: Stay up-to-date with the latest generation of creatures, including their unique forms, evolutions, and abilities. ▶ Team Builder: Strategize and assemble your dream team using MasterDex's intuitive team-building feature. Plan your battles and unleash the power of synergy. ▶ TCG Info Included: Dive into the Trading Card Game world with comprehensive TCG information, including card details, prices, and rarity. ▶ No Login Required: Get instant access to a wealth of creature knowledge without the hassle of creating an account or remembering credentials. ▶ Works Offline: MasterDex is designed to be your reliable companion, even when you're offline. Access crucial information on the go, no matter where your adventures take you. ▶ Special Evolutions and Alternative Forms: Uncover the secrets of special evolutions and explore the diverse range of alternative forms within this captivating universe. ▶ Create a List of Your Favorite Creatures: Keep track of your most cherished companions. ▶ Keep Track of Your Shinies: Stay organized and track your shiny creatures with ease. MasterDex helps you monitor and celebrate your rare and unique discoveries. ▶ Detailed Information: Access to comprehensive details on creatures, moves, abilities, natures, items locations, and types. ▶ Advanced Search Filters: Find the creatures you're looking for effortlessly using advanced search filters. Narrow down your search based on various criteria. Embark on an extraordinary journey with MasterDex, your go-to companion. Please note that MasterDex is an unofficial, fan-made, and free-to-use app. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the creators of the captivating world. Start your adventure today and become a true master!"

Screenshots

Pokémon HOME4 screens
MasterDex4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: MasterDex at 87% against Pokémon HOME's 37%. MasterDex also leads on rating (4.8 vs 3.8) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months). Pokémon HOME's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (16K vs 1.7K). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model 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. Pokémon HOME sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and MasterDex sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

MasterDex holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Pokémon HOME has 16K ratings behind it against 1.7K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 37% of Pokémon HOME's written reviews are positive against 87% of MasterDex's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Pokémon HOME ships an update every 2 months, MasterDex every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on September 24, 2026.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
Pokémon HOME versus MasterDex: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPokémon HOMEMasterDex
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.8 (16K ratings)4.8 (1.7K ratings) — better
Positive reviews37.3% of reviews87.1% of reviews — better
Number of ratings16K — better1.7K
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#60 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better16.6
Further details — not scored
Size254 MB196 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperThe Pokemon CompanyLorenzo Greco

Customer experience

Pokémon HOME

All ratings15,645 ratings
Positive67.5%
Neutral8.7%
Negative23.8%
Written reviews1,538 reviews
Positive37.3%
Neutral16.3%
Negative46.5%

MasterDex

All ratings1,713 ratings
Positive94.9%
Neutral1.9%
Negative3.3%
Written reviews373 reviews
Positive87.1%
Neutral4.3%
Negative8.6%

User reviews

Pokémon HOME

From 16K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Great way to transfer Pokémon
  • 👍 Useful for completing Pokédex
  • 🚀 Easy to use
  • 👍 Allows access to Pokémon on the go

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Buggy and glitchy
  • 🔒 Cannot log in on multiple devices
  • 💰 Premium plan is overpriced
  • 🐛 Slow and laggy performance
  • 🐛 Frequent communication errors

MasterDex

From 1.7K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Fantastic app
  • 👍 Great Pokédex
  • 🔒 No ads
  • 💡 One-time purchase
  • 👍 Aesthetically pleasing

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Crashing and slow loading
  • 🐛 Bugs with team builder
  • 🐛 Missing Pokémon forms and gender differences
  • 🐛 Incorrect or outdated information
  • 💡 Lack of Pokémon location filters

Bugs and requests

Pokémon HOME

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • GTS flooded with impossible trade requests
  • Room trades frequently kick users out
  • Pokémon disappearing after transfer
  • Unable to log in or restore premium subscription

Requested features

5 requests
  • Allow trading of mythical Pokémon
  • Add filters to GTS to prevent impossible trades
  • Implement reverse GTS search
  • Enable Pokémon evolution during trades
  • Sync Pokédex data between mobile and Switch versions

MasterDex

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Shiny toggle not working in team builder
  • Pokémon 3D models and artwork not displaying
  • Johto region locations missing
  • Crashes when adding Pokémon to teams
  • Incorrect information for some Pokémon (e.g., Necrozma's ability, Pikachu's classification)

Requested features

9 requests
  • Add Pokémon location filters
  • Implement ability to mark Pokémon as caught/seen
  • Add damage calculator
  • Allow reorganizing of teams
  • Include Pokémon cries and Dynamax/Gigantamax forms
Show 4 more
  • Add Pokémon trainer and villain information
  • Provide option to change default sprite view
  • Implement Tera Type information
  • Add item location and TM/HM information

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Pokémon HOME

Subscriptions3
  • Premium Plan for 1 month$2.991 Month
  • Premium Plan for 3 months$4.993 Months
  • Premium Plan for 12 months$15.991 Year
2 purchases

MasterDex

One-time2
  • Masteredex - Sale$1.99
  • Masterdex PRO$7.99

Questions

Is Pokémon HOME free?
Pokémon HOME is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is MasterDex free?
MasterDex is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Pokémon HOME or MasterDex?
MasterDex is rated higher. Pokémon HOME averages 3.8 out of 5 from 16K ratings, while MasterDex averages 4.8 from 1.7K ratings.
Do Pokémon HOME or MasterDex have ads?
MasterDex shows ads; Pokémon HOME does not.
Which is updated more often, Pokémon HOME or MasterDex?
Pokémon HOME ships an update every 2 months, and MasterDex every 3 weeks. Most recently, Pokémon HOME was updated on September 24, 2026 and MasterDex on September 24, 2026.

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