Comparison

Fantasy Startup vs CIEE Study Abroad

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

Head to head
About

Fantasy Startup

Learn startup investing skills and strategy risk-free through an interactive simulation. Analyze real startup scenarios, build a virtual portfolio, and track your investments' success or failure. Gain practical knowledge for venture capital and wealth building.

Highlights
  • Virtual portfolio with $1,000 starting capital
  • 50 real-world startup case studies
  • 150 bite-sized venture capital lessons
  • Leaderboard competition with friends
  • Completion certification for investors
  • Realistic startup outcomes (IPO, acquisition, failure)
Features
Read full description

Want to learn how to invest in startups — without risking real money? Fantasy Startup® is the #1 interactive simulation for learning the skills, strategy, and decision-making of startup investing. Perfect for college students, young professionals, or anyone curious about venture capital and building wealth. With $1,000 in your virtual portfolio, you’ll discover, analyze, and invest in real startup scenarios. Each company is broken down into Market Size, Team, Signals, Valuation, and Risks — just like actual investors review. You’ll need to decide in minutes whether to invest or pass. Over the course of the game, you’ll unlock up to 50 startup opportunities, track your portfolio, and watch as your investments succeed or fail through realistic startup outcomes like IPOs, acquisitions, or failures. Every in-game “day” equals a year in a startup’s life — so you’ll quickly see the results of your decisions. Key Features: - Start with $1,000 and build your own startup portfolio - 50 real-world startup case studies with instant investment choices - 150 bite-sized lessons on venture capital, angel investing, and entrepreneurial finance - Compete with friends on the leaderboard and compare portfolios - Earn points, unlock quizzes, and prove your investing skills Completion Certification: Analyze 25+ deals and achieve a 3X return multiple to become a Certified Startup Investor by Doriot Why It Matters: Startup investing is one of the fastest-growing areas of wealth building. Studies show even small exposure to private markets (up to 10% of net worth) can diversify and strengthen long-term returns. Fantasy Startup® makes this world accessible, fun, and risk-free — helping you prepare for when you’re ready to invest for real. Whether you dream of becoming a venture capitalist, want an edge in finance and entrepreneurship classes, or simply want to learn how to build wealth smarter — Fantasy Startup® is your gateway to the investing economy of the future.

About

CIEE Study Abroad

Discover and apply to study abroad programs tailored to your university. Explore program details, save favorites, view media, read student blogs, and find scholarships. Initiate and submit applications directly within the app, and connect with advisors and alumni for support.

Highlights
  • Discover university-approved programs
  • Save favorite programs
  • Browse program media and blogs
  • View available scholarships
  • Apply directly from the app
  • Contact advisors and alumni
Features
Read full description

Find the perfect Study Abroad program for you! The CIEE App shows you the programs approved by your University, featured and popular programs, and more! Save your Favorite programs for later, browse videos and pictures from every program, read blogs written by students like you, view available scholarships, and much more. When you’ve found the perfect program you can start and submit your application right from the app. If you have questions along the way, the app makes it easy to reach out to advisors at CIEE and alumni on your campus.

Screenshots

Fantasy Startup4 screens
CIEE Study Abroad4 screens

Verdict

The call

Fantasy Startup and CIEE Study Abroad both sit at 4.2 stars, but that hides the real split: 83% of CIEE Study Abroad's written reviews are positive against 43% of Fantasy Startup's. CIEE Study Abroad also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 6) and update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 9 months). Fantasy Startup's advantage is ratings volume (45 vs 6). On price, rating, ads 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. Fantasy Startup sells 6 one-off in-app purchases. CIEE Study Abroad asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.2 for Fantasy Startup against 4.3 for CIEE Study Abroad. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Fantasy Startup has 45 ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 43% of Fantasy Startup's written reviews are positive against 83% of CIEE Study Abroad's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Fantasy Startup ships an update every 9 months, CIEE Study Abroad every 6 weeks. Both last shipped on June 1, 2026.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Fantasy Startup versus CIEE Study Abroad: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFantasy StartupCIEE Study Abroad
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.2 (45 ratings)4.3 (6 ratings) — better
Positive reviews42.9% of reviews83.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings45 — better6
Update frequencyEvery 9 monthsEvery 6 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS15.113.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size34 MB84 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDoriot Markets LLCCIEE, INC.

Customer experience

Fantasy Startup

All ratings44 ratings
Positive77.3%
Neutral2.3%
Negative20.5%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive42.9%
Neutral0.0%
Negative57.1%

CIEE Study Abroad

All ratings6 ratings
Positive83.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative16.7%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive83.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative16.7%

In-app purchases

6 purchases

Fantasy Startup

One-time6
  • Deal every 12 hours$0.99
  • $10,000 in-game cash$1.99
  • Deal every 6 hours$2.99
Show 3 more
  • $25,000 in-game cash$3.99
  • $50,000 in-game cash$4.99
  • At your own pace$5.99
None

CIEE Study Abroad

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Fantasy Startup free?
Fantasy Startup is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is CIEE Study Abroad free?
CIEE Study Abroad is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Fantasy Startup or CIEE Study Abroad?
CIEE Study Abroad is rated higher. Fantasy Startup averages 4.2 out of 5 from 45 ratings, while CIEE Study Abroad averages 4.3 from 6 ratings.
Do Fantasy Startup or CIEE Study Abroad have ads?
Neither Fantasy Startup nor CIEE Study Abroad shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Fantasy Startup or CIEE Study Abroad?
Fantasy Startup ships an update every 9 months, and CIEE Study Abroad every 6 weeks. Most recently, Fantasy Startup was updated on June 1, 2026 and CIEE Study Abroad on June 1, 2026.

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