# Dawncaster vs Monster Train

The clearest difference is rating: Monster Train at 4.9 against Dawncaster's 4.7. Monster Train also leads on review sentiment (89% vs 80%). Dawncaster's advantage is price ($4.99 vs $7.99). On ratings volume, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Dawncaster costs $4.99 and Monster Train $7.99 up front. Dawncaster sells 13 one-off in-app purchases and Monster Train sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Monster Train holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 929 and 1.8K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 80% of Dawncaster's written reviews are positive against 89% of Monster Train's.

Dawncaster ships an update every 10 days, Monster Train every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on October 27, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Dawncaster | Monster Train |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$4.99** | $7.99 |
| Rating | [4.7 (929 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dawncaster-deckbuilding-rpg/id1555459868/reviews) | **[4.9 (1.8K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/monster-train/id1577392165/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 929 | **1.8K** |
| Positive reviews | 80.2% of reviews | **88.8% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 10 days** | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Best chart rank | **#9** | #22 |
| Size | 1.4 GB | 533 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **14.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 9+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Rick van der Wal](https://appshunter.io/developer/1534294329) | [Good Shepherd Entertainment](https://appshunter.io/developer/1019007074) |

## What reviewers say

### Dawncaster

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dawncaster-deckbuilding-rpg/id1555459868)

**Currently charting:** #9 Top Paid · Card, #12 Top Paid · Role Playing, #130 Top Paid · Games (US App Store)

Embark on a tactical deck-building adventure with over 900 illustrated cards. Explore a mysterious world, master unique class abilities, and forge your own path through a rich narrative. Enjoy a complete premium experience with no ads or microtransactions.

**Highlights:** Over 900 hand-illustrated cards, Unique class abilities, Innovative energy system, Richly illustrated world, Randomized encounters, Unlockable content

**Features:** Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (13)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Vaul of the Void Promo Pack | Free | one-time |
| Synthesis Support Pack | $3.99 | one-time |
| Infinitum Support Banner | $3.99 | one-time |
| Eclypse Supporter Pack | $3.99 | one-time |
| Buy the devs a coffee | $4.99 | one-time |
| Tribes of Twilight | $4.99 | one-time |
| Death of Divinity | $4.99 | one-time |
| Masks of Misery | $4.99 | one-time |
| Siege of Shadows | $4.99 | one-time |
| Dawncaster Origins Bundle | $4.99 | one-time |
| Nexus of Nightmares | $5.99 | one-time |
| Infernal Invasions | $5.99 | one-time |
| Dawncaster Mega Bundle | $12.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Constant updates
- 🔥 Addictive gameplay loop
- 🔍 Discovering new secrets
- 💎 Excellent value for money
- 🎨 Beautiful art and visuals

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional bugs and glitches
- 🔍 Steep learning curve
- 🔁 Repetitive enemy and boss encounters
- 🕰️ Slow progression and unlock system
- 🔧 Unbalanced difficulty spikes

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes after certain card interactions
- Incorrect card behavior or descriptions
- Progression loss after updates
- Compatibility issues on newer devices

**Requested features**

- Endless or challenge mode
- More language support (e.g. Chinese, Spanish, Russian)
- Improved tutorial and onboarding
- Ability to toggle DLC content on/off
- Checkpoints or save states during runs


### Monster Train

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/monster-train/id1577392165)

**Currently charting:** #22 Top Paid · Card, #97 Top Paid · Strategy (US App Store)

Defend the last burning pyre from Heaven's forces in this strategic deckbuilding roguelike. Build unique decks with over 250 cards from five distinct monster clans, upgrade champions, and explore powerful locations to restore the Inferno. Enjoy ultimate replayability with daily and custom challenges.

**Highlights:** Unlock over 250 cards, 5 distinct Monster Clans, Upgrade powerful Champions, Explore powerful locations, Daily & Custom challenges, Includes Wild Mutations & Friends & Foes updates

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| The Last Divinity DLC | $3.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Outstanding soundtrack
- 🚀 Lots of discovery and relatability
- 👍 Great deck builder with deep mechanics
- 👍 Excellent value for money
- 👍 Addictive and replayable gameplay

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional issues with cloud saves and device switching
- 🐛 Difficulty targeting off-screen bosses on mobile
- 🐛 Finicky card selection and play controls
- 🔋 Can drain phone battery quickly

**Reported bugs**

- Cloud save issues causing lost progress
- Inability to target off-screen bosses
- Occasional crashes and performance issues

**Requested features**

- Ability to view deck during card selection
- Customizable UI and graphics options
- Swipe gestures for floor switching
- 60fps support


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Dawncaster free?

Dawncaster costs $4.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Is Monster Train free?

Monster Train costs $7.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Dawncaster or Monster Train?

Monster Train is rated higher. Dawncaster averages 4.7 out of 5 from 929 ratings, while Monster Train averages 4.9 from 1.8K ratings.

### Do Dawncaster or Monster Train have ads?

Neither Dawncaster nor Monster Train shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Dawncaster or Monster Train?

Dawncaster ships an update every 10 days, and Monster Train every 3 weeks. Most recently, Dawncaster was updated on October 27, 2026 and Monster Train on October 27, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Dawncaster or Monster Train?

Dawncaster currently peaks at #9 in the App Store charts, and Monster Train at #22. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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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.*