# Big Buck Hunter vs Shoot & Release

The clearest difference is ads: Shoot & Release at none against Big Buck Hunter's shown. Shoot & Release also leads on monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases) and rating (5.0 vs 4.7). Big Buck Hunter's advantage is ratings volume (13K vs 12). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Shoot & Release holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Big Buck Hunter has 13K ratings behind it against 12, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 85% of Big Buck Hunter's written reviews are positive against 100% of Shoot & Release's.

Big Buck Hunter ships an update monthly, Shoot & Release every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 27, 2026 and June 1, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Big Buck Hunter | Shoot & Release |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (13K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/big-buck-hunter-marksman/id1537460330/reviews) | **[5.0 (12 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shoot-and-release-camera-hunter/id1663502772/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **13K** | 12 |
| Positive reviews | 84.8% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Monthly** | Every 5 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 932 MB | 83 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Raw Thrills, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1537460332) | [Loyal Foundry, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1620612434) |

## What reviewers say

### Big Buck Hunter

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/big-buck-hunter-marksman/id1537460330)

Compete in a virtual hunting game to win cash prizes. Aim, shoot, and score by taking down bucks while avoiding does. Upgrade your gear with in-game currency earned through successful hunts.

**Highlights:** Competitive hunting gameplay, Win cash prizes, Tap and hold scope to slow time, Aim for head and heart shots, Maintain Marksman Streak, Unlock in-game upgrades

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🎯 Excellent shooting mechanics
- ⚖️ Fair matchmaking
- 💰 Opportunities to win real money
- 🕹️ Addictive and fun gameplay
- 🎨 Great graphics and visuals

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Inconsistent scoring and accuracy
- 🤖 Suspicion of AI opponents/bots
- 💸 Difficult to consistently earn money
- 🔒 Withdrawal and payout issues
- 🔧 Frequent crashes and bugs

**Reported bugs**

- Game crashes during matches
- Scope/aiming issues affecting accuracy
- Matchmaking problems and unfair pairings
- Withdrawal and payout problems

**Requested features**

- More animal species and hunting locations
- Ability to challenge friends directly
- Replay/review feature to analyze matches
- Offline/practice mode without real money
- Improved tutorial and game instructions


### Shoot & Release

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shoot-and-release-camera-hunter/id1663502772)

Engage in a unique photo-based hunting game where you capture images of animals to earn points and compete with friends. Explore diverse locations worldwide, track your progress on live leaderboards, and earn trophies for your achievements.

**Highlights:** Create and challenge friends to games, Live leaderboards with real-time updates, Dedicated hunt screen with camera controls, Earn game trophies for various placements, Invite friends via phone number, Recognize over 2500 animal species

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Big Buck Hunter free?

Big Buck Hunter is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Shoot & Release free?

Shoot & Release is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Big Buck Hunter or Shoot & Release?

Shoot & Release is rated higher. Big Buck Hunter averages 4.7 out of 5 from 13K ratings, while Shoot & Release averages 5.0 from 12 ratings.

### Do Big Buck Hunter or Shoot & Release have ads?

Big Buck Hunter shows ads; Shoot & Release does not.

### Which is updated more often, Big Buck Hunter or Shoot & Release?

Big Buck Hunter ships an update monthly, and Shoot & Release every 5 weeks. Most recently, Big Buck Hunter was updated on September 27, 2026 and Shoot & Release on June 1, 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.*