# Vienna Connection vs Ark Nova

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Ark Nova at 72% against Vienna Connection's 0%. Ark Nova also leads on rating (4.8 vs 1.0) and ratings volume (1.2K vs 1). Vienna Connection's advantage is price (Free vs $10.99) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 15.0). On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Vienna Connection is free to download; Ark Nova costs $10.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Ark Nova holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 1.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Ark Nova has 1.2K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 0% of Vienna Connection's written reviews are positive against 72% of Ark Nova's.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 7, 2026 and September 30, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Vienna Connection | Ark Nova |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $10.99 |
| Rating | [1.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vienna-connection/id1571285018/reviews) | **[4.8 (1.2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ark-nova/id6449233549/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 1 | **1.2K** |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | **72.4% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | Every 2 weeks |
| Monetization | **Free** | Paid |
| Best chart rank | — | **#25** |
| Size | 115 MB | 682 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Portal Games](https://appshunter.io/developer/1251884458) | [Dire Wolf Digital](https://appshunter.io/developer/815343758) |

## What reviewers say

### Vienna Connection

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vienna-connection/id1571285018)

This app serves as a digital companion for a spy-themed board game set during the Cold War. It allows players to select and play missions directly on their mobile device, featuring puzzles, solutions, and a final report section.

**Highlights:** Digital board game companion, Mission selection, In-app puzzles, Solutions access, Final report section, Spy-themed gameplay

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### Ark Nova

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ark-nova/id6449233549)

**Currently charting:** #25 Top Paid · Board, #81 Top Paid · Strategy (US App Store)

Design and manage a modern zoo to support global conservation efforts. Build enclosures, house animals, and utilize unique cards for special abilities. Compete to create the most successful zoological establishment.

**Highlights:** Plan and design a modern zoo, Build enclosures and accommodate animals, Support global conservation projects, Utilize 255 unique cards (animals, specialists, projects), Upgrade action cards for gameplay, Increase zoo appeal and scientific reputation

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Great implementation overall
- 👍 Lots of fun
- 👍 Good animations
- 👍 Choice of modes
- 👍 Clean, modern and enjoyable design

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Tile placement/rotation issues on iPad
- 🐛 Building placement UI issues
- 👎 Difficult to read board state on mobile
- 👎 Lack of simultaneous view for key game info
- 👎 Cumbersome to create games with friends

**Reported bugs**

- iPad Flash exit issue
- Rewards screen being blocked by other UI elements

**Requested features**

- Option to enable larger UI buttons for modal panels
- Full screen mode
- Option to reverse zoom direction
- Improved card readability/zoom


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Vienna Connection free?

Vienna Connection is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Ark Nova free?

Ark Nova costs $10.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Vienna Connection or Ark Nova?

Ark Nova is rated higher. Vienna Connection averages 1.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while Ark Nova averages 4.8 from 1.2K ratings.

### Do Vienna Connection or Ark Nova have ads?

Neither Vienna Connection nor Ark Nova shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Vienna Connection or Ark Nova?

Vienna Connection ships an update every 2 weeks, and Ark Nova every 2 weeks. Most recently, Vienna Connection was updated on September 7, 2026 and Ark Nova on September 30, 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.*